Qestions about my next project. (x.1, decoder, diy speakers)

[ic4ru5]

Hello! I'm quite new to diy audio. I've completed some simple projects like CMoy's. I almost have my technical education diploma. So, last day we had chat about "this project" with my friend, who is learning occupational guidance at university. In conclusion friend of mine wanted to build acoustics and I amp for them.

I've zoomed around and found nothing suiting for me. I want to build a system, what will take signal form digital source like tv, pc or elce and make 5.1 system work. As i took interest in this project i realized that my knowledge is minimal. I understand how to take signal from headphones output and amplify it but i don't understand 5.1 systems at all. I also understand that i will have to include some kind of computing module.

Where i can take signal for my system and how its different from stereo? (coaxial ect.)
Where i can find project suited for me? (amp, and acoustics)
Is this real? Thank you for reading and i would be delighted to hear some useful answers from you!

[tangmonster]

if you have a digital source you and want to get 5.1 ,you will need a digital processor.

only easy way to do this is to buy a second hand digital processor or something like this.

HD Audio Rush 5.1 Gear Sound Decoder DTS AC3 +GIFT - eBay (item 250605288956 end time May-26-10 16:56:51 PDT)

then becuase you have 5.1 you need 6 amplifiers.

The 6th or .1 channel is a subwoofer channel and need much more power , a guideline will be that it needs as much power as the other 5 channels combined for good system.

[ic4ru5]

thats ok with me, i already uderstood that. what im looking for is some kind a project, guide, what will help me building this. ps units- i can build them. im looking for a challenge. I'm not considering this project a cheap or easy one.
i can't understand, where i can take signal and how this digital device will be separate signal for different channels. Links, articles, blogs would be helpful.

[ic4ru5]

1.input:SPDIF1, coaxial, AUX
2.output:CEN,SW,FL,FR,SL,SR
three outputs. sw/ce fr/fl sr/sl
subwoofer/centre srontright/frontleft what sr, sl means?
centre? stereo output ?
ty.

[tangmonster]

cen = centre
sw = subwoofer
fl = front left
fr = front right
sl = surround left (rear left)
sr = surround left (rear right)

There are a few threads about 5.1 lm3886 amplifiers. some use the lower power lm chips.