Computer / TV / sound system at the workbench question...

[Earlsfat]

So I'm in the middle of redoing my 3 car attached garage. I would like to use an old PC I have laying around and mount the box under my workbench, the keyboard on an arm mounted to the wall and the monitor mounted just above it - so that I can look stuff up on the web, pipe in music from my other computer, etc. Was also thinking that I could buy a cheap 32" TV (best buy has a 32" Dynex for $170) and run a cable line to it as well - watch the games when I'm out there. I'm ok to this point I think.

Where I get messed up, is what to do for sound. I'm leaving the ceiling open (2x4 trusses) for the most part and was thinking I could just get 4 stereo speakers (from a garage sale, etc) and mount them in the trusses - sort of out of the way and unseen.... my problem is what to hook them up to? A computer doesn't have the power to run 4 bookshelf speakers does it? And if I want to crank it up a little, I seriously doubt this setup will accomplish what I need.

The TV / Monitor I'm not too worried about, but speakers etc... I don't want to buy anything expensive or fragile I do quite a bit of wood work and plan on getting back into fiberglassing... throwing a cover over the TV while I'm sanding isn't going to be a big deal. Covering speakers in the ceiling is going to be a big deal.

Any ideas? Pointers? Suggestions?

 

[JimmyTheMonkey]

Just get a decent set of computer 2.1 computer speakers. two quick options.

If you're feeling cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027VT6V4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you're feeling less cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008X1BVH4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I went the cheap route for my garage and they sound just fine. Loud enough for working with tools and audio quality is surprisingly decent.

 

[Earlsfat]

Oh I'm feeling cheap, lol.

I should be able to run a long line from the computer up to the ceiling and mount them up there I think.

Question: How do I get the sound from the TV & computer to the speakers?
Not sure if this would work, but maybe - computer output to RCA splitter that goes into the TV RCA inputs LIKE THIS- then from the TV headphones out jack to the input on the speaker system? Then I guess the TV input would dictate which signal gets put to the speaker system?

 

[JimmyTheMonkey]

That is one way. It really depends on the output of the TV and the available inputs on the computer speakers. Both speakers that I linked to have two AUX jacks, so you wouldn't even need to use a splitter if you used the cables you linked to, assuming they worked with your TV.

If you wanted to output something fancier from the TV, and wanted to spend more money, you could buy a TV soundbar and send the sound from the comp and speaker into that.

It all really depends on how much money you want to spend. I think you are in the same boat as me: its a garage, not a recording studio/home theater. I just did things as cheaply as I could with the computer speakers.

It is actually good they aren't super loud like some of the other forum member's setups - it keeps me honest with the neighbors. If I had a pounding system, I am sure they would hate me even more (I also play drums and guitar)!

 

[stonesfan68]

You can always buy a low cost stereo receiver and connect the computer and television audio outputs to the receiver. You'd have plenty of power to drive the speakers and you would have the capabilities of streaming your MP3 player of choice as well.

Sherwood-RX-4109-Stereo-Receiver

Perhaps you could pick up a receiver in a pawn shop for even less money?

 

[marty_p]

Question: How do I get the sound from the TV & computer to the speakers?

An RCA audio/video selector switch will do the trick.

Here's one from The Shack: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3964911#

Headphone jack audio level out = RCA line level in, and vice-versa, so you can run four audio sources into it (PC audio, TV audio, iPhone/iPod/iPad/iThingie, and one more) via a headphone plug to RCA cable, and then feed the output to the speaker system via another of the same cable.

My 2¢ -- and worth every penny...

 

[dacm99]

Why not use a mini amp such as the lapai amp found at parts express?
www.parts-express.com
Lepai LP-2020A+ Tripath Class-T Hi-Fi Audio Mini Amplifier with Power Supply

I'm using one on an enclosed patio with a diy ipad mount. I promise the 15 watts is extremely efficient and will run louder than you want to hear. It is a great low cost route.

 

[WILD-BILL]

INstead f the keyboard mounted on an arm might I suggest a USB Keyboard.

This is what I did and it works great. I can use the key board from anywhere I can see the monitor and tuck it out of the way when not needed.

Not to pricey either. I got the cheapest combo mouse/key board they had and it's been holding up great.

 

[sands35]

Instead of the keyboard mounted on an arm might I suggest a USB Keyboard.

This is what I did and it works great. I can use the key board from anywhere I can see the monitor and tuck it out of the way when not needed.

Not to pricey either. I got the cheapest combo mouse/key board they had and it's been holding up great.

Yes, I would view any sort of computer equipment in a garage as semi-disposable. Sooner or later something is going to get dropped or spilled on it. Personally, the IT guys at work always have extra mice and keyboards laying around that work fine but are going to get thrown away.

OP - If you are going to pound on the workbench, I'd mount the CPU on the wall. Good idea to put it under the workbench though.

 

[thejunkmanadv]

This is an old refurbed business machine that I bought for $50 (monitor, keyboard, mouse included) running XP and a wireless network adapter, it is basically for streaming music, basic interneting, and accessing my cloud files for maintenance records, scripts and such. I am running a 3.5mm out of the headphone jack into the AUX input of a thrift store receiver out to 4 decent thrift store speakers. If I were to add TV I would just use some RCA splitters into the AUX input or find a receiver with 2 AUX inputs. I less than $100 in my computer/sound setup. I blow the computer out periodically and when it takes a dump I will probably find/buy an old Win7 (or whatever is cheap) machine that I can find and do it again. I have had this machine for 3 years.

 

[arturo7]

Instead of buying only the speakers at a garage sale, buy the whole stereo. Just make sure it has an AUX selection. Pick up an adapter cable to go from you computer to the aux jack.

 

[jd_1138]

Like several other people have said, I'd go with a stereo receiver like that Sherwood up there that someone linked to or a cheap used Kenwood or Sony receiver and then get some decent speakers used or perhaps some of those small cube speakers (Bose or Cambridge Soundworks). It'll sound a lot better than a $50 PC speaker set-up. Plus you can listen to over the air radio on it, plug an ipad/mp3 player into it on shuffle play, etc..

We have a Kenwood receiver connected to our 32" Dynex in the house. We have a couple of speakers connected to it. Sounds like a movie theatre sound. You can play with the EQ settings.

I think the most basic Sherwood receiver starts at about $50. Crutchfield is a good place for audio stuff. Or you could get a package for about $100 that will include the receiver and 5 speakers.