No analog audio out

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tad

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No analog audio out

#1

Post by tad » Thu Oct 11, 2012 4:10 pm

From the new pictures on the Ceton website, it looks like the Echo lacks analog audio out. Bummer!

If you need analog out, like I do, I suspect there's still hope. As long as the echo can be configured to output 2-channel sound (rather than surround sound), we should be able to use something like this to convert 2-channel optical to 2-channel analog.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

If the Echo can't be configured to output 2-channel, we may have a problem. (These cheap converter devices can't decode 5.1/DTS)

adam1991

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#2

Post by adam1991 » Thu Oct 11, 2012 4:29 pm

no composite video, either.

I'm OK with moving forward.

tad

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#3

Post by tad » Thu Oct 11, 2012 4:34 pm

My issue with analog audio is that the inputs on my whole-house audio system (which drives the ceiling speakers in each room) are analog-only. Most (if not all) of these systems are analog only.

cncb

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#4

Post by cncb » Thu Oct 11, 2012 4:53 pm

tad wrote:If you need analog out, like I do, I suspect there's still hope
This would be pretty inconvenient and yet another power adapter that needs to be plugged in...

barnabas1969

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#5

Post by barnabas1969 » Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:04 pm

Hmmmm... I was really looking forward to the ability to use the Echo with the one TV I own that is standard definition. I guess I'll have to replace that TV with an HD TV if I want to use the Echo in that location. That is a bummer.

richard1980

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#6

Post by richard1980 » Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:15 pm

Analog audio? Composite video? Seriously, it's 2012. Upgrade your equipment already, geez.

barnabas1969

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#7

Post by barnabas1969 » Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:18 pm

richard1980 wrote:Analog audio? Composite video? Seriously, it's 2012. Upgrade your equipment already, geez.
Well, I have one TV that is standard definition. It's in the youngest kid's bedroom. It works fine with a DMA-2200. I was expecting the Echo to have analog outputs, that's all. I'm a little disappointed, but I guess I'll just have to buy her a new TV for Christmas.

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#8

Post by cncb » Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:43 pm

richard1980 wrote:Analog audio? Composite video? Seriously, it's 2012. Upgrade your equipment already, geez.
Analog audio is outdated? I should have to buy a large, costly AVR to drive my bedroom speakers with the Echo? Seriously?

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#9

Post by foxwood » Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:57 pm

barnabas1969 wrote:Well, I have one TV that is standard definition. It's in the youngest kid's bedroom. It works fine with a DMA-2200. I was expecting the Echo to have analog outputs, that's all. I'm a little disappointed, but I guess I'll just have to buy her a new TV for Christmas.
If it works fine with the DMA-2200, why bother replacing it?

barnabas1969

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#10

Post by barnabas1969 » Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:59 pm

foxwood wrote:
barnabas1969 wrote:Well, I have one TV that is standard definition. It's in the youngest kid's bedroom. It works fine with a DMA-2200. I was expecting the Echo to have analog outputs, that's all. I'm a little disappointed, but I guess I'll just have to buy her a new TV for Christmas.
If it works fine with the DMA-2200, why bother replacing it?
All of my extenders work fine for what they do. However, if the Echo starts faster (hopefully less than 15 seconds), that would be a good reason for me to replace them. Also, if the Echo can handle more video formats, that would be another reason.

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#11

Post by crawfish » Thu Oct 11, 2012 5:59 pm

cncb wrote:Analog audio is outdated? I should have to buy a large, costly AVR to drive my bedroom speakers with the Echo? Seriously?
You could also buy a cheap DAC. FiiO makes some that are under $30, and I've heard Apple TV users say they're OK.

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#12

Post by foxwood » Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:01 pm

cncb wrote:Analog audio is outdated? I should have to buy a large, costly AVR to drive my bedroom speakers with the Echo? Seriously?
The alternative is that those of us who have no need for Analog Audio should pay extra for the Echo so that it would have the additional silicon and connectors needed to plug into your Analog audio equipment.

If the Echo doesn't meet your needs, don't buy it - problem solved!

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#13

Post by cncb » Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:11 pm

foxwood wrote:
cncb wrote:Analog audio is outdated? I should have to buy a large, costly AVR to drive my bedroom speakers with the Echo? Seriously?
The alternative is that those of us who have no need for Analog Audio should pay extra for the Echo so that it would have the additional silicon and connectors needed to plug into your Analog audio equipment.

If the Echo doesn't meet your needs, don't buy it - problem solved!
Yeah, I'm sure this would have pushed the price up at least 50 cents. By your reasoning, they shouldn't include a remote control since I (and probably most others) already have universal remotes.

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#14

Post by foxwood » Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:11 pm

Monoprice has a TOSLink (Optical SPD/IF) to R/L Stereo Audio Converter for $23.

They do have this caveat, though -
This device will NOT decode 5.1-channel signals. It will ONLY convert 2-channel digital stereo (PCM) input signals to analog stereo output. This will not work with TVs that only output 5.1-channel digital signals!

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#15

Post by holidayboy » Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:15 pm

I guess some people (me) could have a relatively(ish!) new monitor in a bedroom (currently connected to a fairly noisy HTPC) which only has DVI, VGA and analogue audio connectors. That is a bit tricky..... but then, I guess it is a monitor, not a modern TV. I guess I'll find a way :)
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#16

Post by STC » Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:17 pm

For those that need analogue just buy a $20 DAC.
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#17

Post by jarredduq » Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:18 pm

If you get one of these, it should solve both the issue of legacy TVs and not having analog out. http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

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#18

Post by barnabas1969 » Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:25 pm

STC wrote:For those that need analogue just buy a $20 DAC.
Well, if you want analog audio AND video, it won't cost only $20. Here's one for $46.50:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

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#19

Post by adam1991 » Thu Oct 11, 2012 6:44 pm

foxwood wrote:
cncb wrote:Analog audio is outdated? I should have to buy a large, costly AVR to drive my bedroom speakers with the Echo? Seriously?
The alternative is that those of us who have no need for Analog Audio should pay extra for the Echo so that it would have the additional silicon and connectors needed to plug into your Analog audio equipment.

If the Echo doesn't meet your needs, don't buy it - problem solved!
And XBox does a fine job of outputting all the analog you want, so it's not like you can't have the extender experience period.

tad

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#20

Post by tad » Fri Oct 12, 2012 6:11 pm

foxwood wrote:Monoprice has a TOSLink (Optical SPD/IF) to R/L Stereo Audio Converter for $23.

They do have this caveat, though -
This device will NOT decode 5.1-channel signals. It will ONLY convert 2-channel digital stereo (PCM) input signals to analog stereo output. This will not work with TVs that only output 5.1-channel digital signals!

Wow, did nobody actually read my original post? Yes, there are cheap DACs out there from monoprice and others. The issue is that these devices DO NOT downmix a 5.1/DTS signal to 2-channel. So, the echo will need to have the ability to be set to 2 channel digital output in order for it to work with these adapters. Does anyone know for sure if it does?

Beyond that, the only alternative I know of is a full-on 5.1 decoder (which I already use on my main media center to feed my multizone receiver).

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