Looking for a switch that exports 3x 3.5mm audio

[pekalicious]

Here's my current set up:

• 
  ■ Logitech Z506 5.1 sound system that accepts 3x 3.5mm jacks for 5.1ch and/or 2x RCA for Stereo
  ■ PC with GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3 mobo that has 3x 3.5mm for the 5.1ch
  ■ ViewHD Multi-functional HDMI Converter Switch 8 Inputs to One HDMI Output
  ■ ViewSonic monitor that accepts both HMDI and DVI

The connections are super trivial so far:

• 
  ■ my PC outputs audio to my Logitech via 3x 3.5mm
  ■ my PC outputs visual to my ViewSonic via DVI
  ■ the ViewHD outputs audio/visual to my ViewSonic via HDMI
  ■ the ViewSonic connects to my line-in on my PC via a single 3.5mm audio jack

So the audio works, but the quality is horrible (noise, not 5.1ch, etc, etc).

What I'm looking to do is split the audio from the ViewHD HDMI cable and have a switcher that will switch between my PC and my ViewHD audio (or play at the same time, doesn't really matter).

The biggest challenge so far is finding a switcher that exports 3x 3.5mm audio instead of 1x. Unfortunately, my Logitech doesn't accept HDMI or S/PDIF or any other input to make things a lot easier. So I am kinda limited on the types of switchers I can use.

So far I was able to find an HDMI -> HDMI + S/PDIF or 2ch RCA splitter, which looks like a step in the right direction. However, I don't have an S/PDIF In anywhere. The only other splitters I found on the market export a single 3.5mm jack, which, I assume is not going to be 5.1.

In general, I find it close to impossible to find a device that exports 3x 3.5mm. So either I'm doing something wrong, or I need to buy new speakers.

The best, most ideal, in a perfect world, situation would be a device that would have 3x 3.5mm + 1 S/PDIF inputs and 3x 3.5mm output.

My goal is to not lose the 5.1 audio from the ViewHD.

Any suggestions? I am open to many options, as long as it doesn't exceed ~$70 (max $100 if it's really worth it).

Thank you in advance.

 

[photonboy]

http/www.aliexpress.com/item-img/-/1938256377.html

I didn't shop around, but they are called "HDMI to 5.1 audio converters."

The cables would be RCA-to-3.5mm so you'd use three of them (front, rear, center/sub).

 

[pekalicious]

Yeah, I found that exact same one on Amazon (http/www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZCLW6A) . So I can simply use RCA-to-3.5mm just fine? That's good to know.

So I connect my ViewHD HDMI to this and get out the 3x 3.5mm. Now I need to connect 2 sets of 3.5mm on my speakers. Should I go with simple 2-to-1 3.5mm jacks? As in this: http/www.amazon.com/dp/B0012IYLMM ?

 

[pekalicious]

OK, I think I found a setup I like, but not sure if it will work the way I imagine.

I get a HMDI to HMDI + Audio splitter: http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BIQER0E
I get a S/PDIF cable: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TH7GSW
I get an external USB sound card: http/www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1OOGRI

I connect my PC audio to the external via USB, the audio from the HDMI to the external via S/PDIF and the external to my speakers with the assorted cables (they seem to match).

The only thing I'm not sure at this point is if the external can play audio from both the USB and S/PDIF inputs. Is it does, this combination seems pretty good to me.

 

[photonboy]

I don't quite understand what devices besides your PC are using those speakers.

I'd assumed you had a game console and/or bluray player since you were using an HDMI splitter (thus sharing the speakers) but if so why are you talking about a USB sound card and SPDIF?

 

[pekalicious]

You are correct, my speakers are only connected to my PC.

I do not have an HDMI splitter, I have an HDMI switch (ViewHD) that takes multiple inputs from consoles and outputs a single HDMI to my monitor (both a/v). That's the same monitor that's connected to my PC via DVI. To get sound from the consoles, I use a single 3.5mm cable from the monitors headphone jack and connect it to my PC's line-in (sorry I wasn't clear about that).

But that's basically a downgrade because, and I am mostly assuming this, the headphone output or the line-in will not be 5.1.

So, my current plan is to buy a USB sound card that accepts input from my PC (via USB) and another input (via S/PDIF). I then get an HDMI + Audio splitter to get S/PDIF audio from the HDMI and plug it to the USB sound card.

I drew a diagram to (hopefully) make things a little easier: https/docs.google.com/drawings/d/1xwoEmcEoqXaRuuEARwMN3aHt53CYgDeVfTCojB-575c/edit?usp=sharing

 

[pekalicious]

YES! It works beautifully!

This diagram shows the entire setup (along with links to the devices I purchased): https/docs.google.com/drawings/d/1xwoEmcEoqXaRuuEARwMN3aHt53CYgDeVfTCojB-575c/edit?usp=sharing

Setting the SPDIF In to "Listen" in Windows Recording Device settings allows me to listen to both my console audio and my PC.