Soundcard connected to TV, but no sound

[JumJumJR]

I am having a dilemma. I am connecting my HDTV's speakers to my newly built HTPC's sound card using a digital audio cable, but there is no sound. I'm very inexperienced with home audio, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

My soundcard: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy RX 7.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102063&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[boju]

You are using optical? Make sure the TV has an optical in and not out as some only have out if they have HDMI. If its an optical input, just need to enable S/PDIF either through Window's Audio Playback Devices or in Creative's Audio Software.

 

[JumJumJR]

Yeah, it's optical out on both my TV and sound card. Any suggestions on how to hook up my soundcard to my TV without optical input?

 

[boju]

Yea sure, there's a couple of ways to get sound through the TV. If your graphics card in the HTPC has HDMI, it will have sound. Im guessing you're using that connection to get a display on the TV?

 

[JumJumJR]

I'm using a AMD apu with onboard graphics, but the mobo I'm using has a HDMI port. Will it make any difference?

And excuse the stupid question, but if I'm connecting through my mobo's HDMI port, won't I be using onboard sound instead of my soundcard?

 

[boju]

The dilemma you're facing is since the TV doesn't have an optical in, your only choice for sound from the sound card is using the standard audio jacks which means changing the TV channel. That wont work obviously.

There are only two real options, either use the APU's sound, not 100% sure but think it does have. Or get a surround sound unit with optical in so you can use the sound card which means avoiding the TV speakers.

 

[boju]

Maybe even consider a Sound bar, those are fairly cheap and will usually have optical inputs.

Just so the sound card you bought isn't wasted, i understand.

 

[boju]

Or a set of Logitech speakers if space isn't a constraint for under a $100 to work with your standard analog jacks; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA69222H5255&cm_re=logitech_speaker-_-36-121-044-_-Product

 

[boju]

If you're satisfied with just the TV speakers, being 2channel stereo, there's plenty of even cheaper stereo PC speakers.

 

[JumJumJR]

I think I'll end up grabbing a sound bar. Thanks so much for the help! 😀

 

[boju]

Welcome, Enjoy the sound bar