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Maeelk · (This post was last modified: 2016-02-18, 18:04 by Maeelk.)

Hello,

I just bought a 5.1 home cinema and I'm considering buying an USB sound card like this one Behringer UCA202 Audio Interface in order to use the optical input.

Did someone test it ? Or know if it's possible or not ?

Thanks a lot (and english is not my native language so please be gentle Tongue

).

**Dangelus** · 2016-02-15, 13:56

Another option what be to get a Pi HAT which would have less of an overhead as it doesn't use the USB bus.

https://www.hifiberry.com/digiplus/

I don't know about the compatibility as I have not used it.

ZwartePiet · (This post was last modified: 2016-02-15, 14:00 by ZwartePiet.)

There are a few products designed specifically for the Raspberry Pi that leverage its I2S interface. I can't personally vouch for any, but the HiFiBerry Digi+ is well known and matches your price-point. It might be worth a look.

EDIT: Ninja'd.

Maeelk · 2016-02-15, 14:59

Thanks for answering, but what do you mean by "overhead" ?

And I'm not sure it'd be cheaper regarding the shipping cost (and the need to buy a new adapted case...).

Interesting stuff though !

trogggy · 2016-02-15, 15:25

The other option is a HDMI audio splitter.
Mine arrived in the post this morning from China, not had a chance to test it yet. It outputs (allegedly) 5.1 via optical or stereo via rca. HDMI signal (allegedly) still goes to the TV.
Cost me £13 delivered.
I bought it after reading around here a little - advantages are cheaper, works with any device, it should work with any player on the pi... disadvantages - might found out tonight if I get a chance to test it.

**Dangelus** · 2016-02-15, 15:28

On the Pi the network interface runs over the USB bus. The more devices running over USB could cause bottlenecking or instability etc. A HAT device runs over the GPIO pins instead.

It's worth checking if there is a local supplier in your country.

Maeelk · (This post was last modified: 2016-02-15, 15:31 by Maeelk.)

Great idea too ! I'd be glad to read more about your experience with yours.

Would you have a link to where you bought it ? (And does it need a external power ?)

EDIT : thanks Dangelus, I'm in France, but in a very small town so I have to buy everything online...

trogggy · (This post was last modified: 2016-02-16, 15:03 by trogggy.)

It's one of these:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-ship...8c8f589e55
Same one mentioned in this thread.
I bought it from ebay (uk) but the price has gone up to more than the aliexpress link now.

I got to test it fairly briefly last night, and so far all seems good. Set kodi audio output to HDMI 2.0, enabled passthrough, turned down the tv volume and 5.1 issued from the amp. I struggled to get cec working on my Viera (even without the splitter) so I don't know whether it will work if that's an issue. Will try again when I have the time.
It comes with a usb cable for power, but I didn't need to use it.

All in all - and after a fairly brief test - I'm very happy with it so far.

SeVreN2013 · 2016-02-17, 02:32

Glad to hear you're happy (i'm very happy with mine too)

I have a Panasonic Viera as well (TH-P42ST30A) ... no CEC issues though

If you need a cheap basic remote control .... i bought this one below
(could'nt get the "Air Mouse" function to work ... but it's a ok second remote for the RPi2 and the price)

(good seller too ... no issues, good communication)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-FM4-Magi...21037b43c3

trogggy · 2016-02-17, 14:00

(2016-02-17, 02:32)SeVreN2013 Wrote: Glad to hear you're happy (i'm very happy with mine too)

I have a Panasonic Viera as well (TH-P42ST30A) ... no CEC issues though

If you need a cheap basic remote control .... i bought this one below
(could'nt get the "Air Mouse" function to work ... but it's a ok second remote for the RPi2 and the price)

(good seller too ... no issues, good communication)

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mini-FM4-Magi...21037b43c3

It was probably your post (and reading some general posts from Popcornmix) that pushed me in the direction of that particular converter, so thanks.
Figured out the cec issue after a few hours of frustration - some of my HDMI cables don't work with it!
After testing a few cables last night I have cec working through the converter and a HDMI switch, so it does everything I want and more.
As for remotes - Harmonys (harmonies?) all the way for me.

Maeelk · 2016-02-17, 17:34

(2016-02-16, 15:00)trogggy Wrote: It's one of these:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-ship...8c8f589e55
Same one mentioned in this thread.
I bought it from ebay (uk) but the price has gone up to more than the aliexpress link now.

I got to test it fairly briefly last night, and so far all seems good. Set kodi audio output to HDMI 2.0, enabled passthrough, turned down the tv volume and 5.1 issued from the amp. I struggled to get cec working on my Viera (even without the splitter) so I don't know whether it will work if that's an issue. Will try again when I have the time.
It comes with a usb cable for power, but I didn't need to use it.

All in all - and after a fairly brief test - I'm very happy with it so far.

This looks great ! Cec is not a problem for me as long as I use a mobile app to manage my Kodi ! And even cheaper than Hifiberry !
I hope shipping is free for France as well Rolleyes

trogggy · 2016-02-17, 17:40

I bought on ebay uk, delivered free to France from China - but as I said the price has gone up since.
Aliexpress certainly do free delivery to France.

SeVreN2013 · 2016-02-18, 04:11

I would recommend getting a Male to Male HDMI Adaptor as well

I was getting little "sparkles" on my TV using a HDMI Lead (tried a few, same problem)

HDMI Adaptor solved the problem (and looks neater as well)

0.82 Cents from Alliexpress

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1080P-Gol...d2ba269a48

Maeelk · 2016-02-18, 18:04

Thaks for all your advices !

Et merci Troggy, j'avais pas vu que tu es français aussi. =D