How to Connect a Computer to a Multi-Room Sound System
Multi-room sound systems use an audio/video receiver to transmit sound to different speakers throughout a building. Speaker system 1 might be used in a living room, for example, with a second set of stereo speakers in the den and another pair of waterproof outdoor speakers mounted under the eaves on the back deck. Connecting a computer to a multi-room system requires a standard audio cable to attach the computer to the receiver. A Y-adapter for converting the plug from the computer to a size compatible with the receiver may also be required and can be purchased at electronics stores.
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Things You'll Need
- Y adapter with 3.5mm mini plug on one end and two RCA-type audio jacks on the other.
- Standard audio cables with white and red plugs on both ends
- AV receiver
Instructions
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1
Insert the mini-plug on the Y-adapter into the "LINE OUT" jack on the back of the computer's Central Processing Unit (CPU). The jack may be found on the left edge of a laptop or notebook computer.
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2
Connect the plugs on one end of a set of standard audio cables to the RCA jacks on the Y-adapter.
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3
Plug the other end of the audio cables into a free set of audio input jacks on the receiver, using the white plug for the left-channel connection and the red plug for the right. Make a note of which set of audio jacks is connected to the computer, for example, "AUX IN."
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4
Turn on the computer and the AV receiver. Set the receiver selector to the set of audio jacks connecting it to the PC.
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5
Play an audio source on the computer, such as a CD, digital music file, DVD or web content. Adjust the volume on the receiver to the desired level.
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Select the speakers in different rooms for enjoying audio from the computer. For example, the button for Speaker System 1 should be pressed to listen to audio from the computer in the room where those speakers are located.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the headphone jack on a laptop or PC with the mini-plug Y-adapter on older computers that may not be equipped with a "LINE OUT" jack.
Dial down the volume on the receiver while connecting the audio cable from the PC.
