Speakers which Connect to PC and DVD player?

[franz]

Hi,
Is it possible to have a speaker system connected to both a DVD player and a PC at the same time and maybe have a switch to select which device you want to use with the speakers? Could anyone point to any units which can do this?
Thanks

[Joe Hannigan]

Sure; you're probably talking about a mixer with several stereo channels to select from.

You simply mute or unmute input channels (DVD player, PC output, Microphones, Keyboards, etc.) to do A/B comparisons or to simply listen to either device. There's lots of entry level mixers that can do this, Mackie, Behringer, Yamaha, etc.

With the input trims and fader levels on each mixer channel, you can get each device very similar in terms of level, and do some accurate a/b listening, etc.

[franz]

Yes thats the type of thing. I've seached the internet for mixers but all i can find is huge expensive looking things. Can anyone suggest anything appropriate? I only need the two channels, one for the PC, one for the DVD/TV. Would any type of speakers work? I'm totally new to this stuff. Thanks

[Joe Hannigan]

Franz, like it or not, you may have to crack a book or two (tech/music magazine, I should say! :-) You're about to have a lot of fun and learn a lot to do what you want to do.

There's a lot of good small, (relatively) inexpensive mixers out there. Mackie is what I would recommend (The 1202 VLZ would be a great starter-mixer for what you want, with some room to grow, but there are even smaller 2 and 4 channel mixers from other brands.)

Take your time, read these forums, and get your hands on a few good industry Magazines like Electronic Musician, EQ, Mix, and a few others.

As for speakers, there's a world of options out there, from home (consumer) to pro and semi pro speakers. Sounds like you need a small pair with as much accuracy as possible. Avoid the gimmicky stuff, and ask around. (Music stores, hifi houses, online forums, etc.)

Your signal chain will be:

1. Inputs (DVD player, PC, Microphone, Keyboards, etc.)
2. Mixer
3. Amp
4. Speaker.

You can also skip the amp by using powered speakers. (Which of course, cost a bit more.)

If you're really only looking to do the hookup and NOT get deeply involved in audio & gear, esp if this is a one-time thing (and not a new career growing), you could always just go buy a Kenwood, Sony or other consumer (or semi-pro) brand receiver/AV center, and hook it up that way. With a remote, you can simply toggle between Aux (your PC), CD, DVD, and such with minimal fuss.

Purists may howl, but if you understand what you really need this for, it may be a lot simpler going that route, and these days, much of that stuff really doesn't sound bad at all in a pinch.

[franz]

thanks alot I'll look into it.