TV, PC, & Dreamcast (DC) Speaker Help

[iamnaeth]

Hi all, its been a while since I've been around but I'm working on my arcade again and I wanted to fix something that's been bugging me but isn't really a huge problem! 

After wanting to play Capcom vs SNK 2 and Marvel vs Capcom 2 for too long, I finally wired both an arcade PC and a Dreamcast (DC) into my cabinet.  I used a DB25 switch (I think thats right, but don't hold me to that its been a while) so I can use the CP to control the DC as well as feed my IPAC.  This setup works wonderfully.  The sound on the other had is a different story.  My little creative 2.1 speakers also works great for the PC.  They take the output signal from the sound card as an input to the subwoofer.  From there, it uses normal speaker wires to feed the two other speakers.  I attempted to place a Y splitter between the subwoofer output and the DC output into the speakers.  Unfortunately, the DC speaker output was far too quiet and I had to plug the DC audio into the TV for output.  I imagine that the creative speakers are designed for PCs and require a higher signal.  Is there anyway for me to make the DC work here or am I stuck using the TV speakers?  An inline amplifier perhaps?  or am I just missing something basic.  I hope this question makes sense and I look forward to your help!

Thanks,

Nate

[daywane]

I have a PC and all my consoles hook to a TV in the living room
I use a S-video (RCA selector) ( wal mart $19.00 ) ( 4 button)
I then have this going to my stereo
all sound great.

Game cube a PS2 are hooked up with a cable that hooks to
PS2, Game Cube, Xbox
some how it knows witch one is turned on. all 3 systems only take up 1 s-video slot and 1 audio,

[iamnaeth]

You have them all running through stereo or PC speakers?  I think the the PC speakers ohms that create too much resistance.

[pmc]

Which connectors are you using from the DC? The standard RCA (red and white) connectors? That's an un-amped line level signal -- unlike the one that's coming from your PC. You'll need an amp I think.

I use a VGA box on my DC which has an amp'd 1/8" audio output like the soundcard. I just switch the 1/8" cable between the PC and DC whenever I want.

-pmc

[markrvp]

Your splitter is in the wrong place.  The splitter (a switch would be better) needs to be before the subwoofer.  There is an amp in the subwoofer that is boosting the line level input to speaker level.

[iamnaeth]

Which connectors are you using from the DC? The standard RCA (red and white) connectors? That's an un-amped line level signal -- unlike the one that's coming from your PC. You'll need an amp I think.

I use a VGA box on my DC which has an amp'd 1/8" audio output like the soundcard. I just switch the 1/8" cable between the PC and DC whenever I want.

Your splitter is in the wrong place.  The splitter (a switch would be better) needs to be before the subwoofer.  There is an amp in the subwoofer that is boosting the line level input to speaker level.

Both of these are great points.  Which leads me to the next question.  Is there a 1/8" audio to RCA (red white) adapter?  If so, could I just take the output of the DC (RCA), put adapters to convert to 1/8" then run them and the PC output into a 1/8" Y splitter and use that as the input to subwoofer?

Again, thanks!

[pmc]

Yeah... markrvp is right. You want something like this I think. I like the "Y" shaped cables better for some reason.

Make sure to use the line-level output on your soundcard (not the headphone jack which is amped). Check to be sure that the volume is set to a level that will work with both devices without one blaring over the other.

-pmc