Ok heres the deal, I have a mini-itx computer with dolby 5.1 out. I can either use the 3 minijacks on back or one spdif rca connector. If I'm thinking straight I could simply splice the center channel in with the front channels then run all the channels straight into my four channel amp and the sub to my sub amp...

I frown on using minijacks for some reason, I've seen converters that take spdif rca to toslink and vice versa, but is there anything that would take a spdic rca connection and turn it into 6 seperate (analog?) channels?

Just thought I'd share a picture, this little setup is cool. The best thing is the 7 inch lcd is a high resolution vga touchscreen monitor

... is there anything that would take a spdic rca connection and turn it into 6 seperate channels?

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/celebritycookware/deqp7000.html or equivalent. Note that I'm not endorsing that specific product or vendor, it was simply the first easily linkable result in my google.

Oh crap. Just noticed that it's SPDIF input (ie optical not RCA). Anyway, other similar products may have RCA. If not, you'll have to use a RCA->SPDIF converter (unless your new toy have SPDIF as well). Using SPDIF if possible would be a good thing IMO. No chance of a ground loop with an optical connection.

that would do the trick, however, maybe I should re-word the question, something reasonably priced

I realize most alternatives will be pricey, and if I really want it that bad I'll have to shell out for it, unfortunately however the signifigant other wont let me have anymore toy money!

Next item on my agenda... an easy touchscreen web interface for the empeg.

The best thing is the 7 inch lcd is a high resolution vga touchscreen monitor

Pedantically speaking, that isn't desirable. It is quite obvious from the photo that it is a 16:9 aspect ratio screen, and since VGA (by definition) is 640x480 that's going to look weirdly streettcchhed. Even if you threw that aspect (pun intended) of the VGA specification away you'd still be stuck with 16 colors.
I'm guessing that screen is much better than 640x480x4bit!

Well, the OS does look kinda funky, however DVD's look great. Right now it's set at 800 x 600 at 32 bit and I have to say for a 7 inch LCD it is VERY clear, text is easily readable and overall I'm very happy with it. Here are the specs...

-Screen Size: Diagonal 7" (16:9)
-Hitachi (TX18D11VM1CAA) LCD Panel
-Pixel Format: 800(H) x 480(V) Pixels
-Pixel Pitch: 0.1905(H) x 0.1905(V) mm
-Number of Colors: 262,144
-Viewing Angle 65/65 (R/L), 45/60 (U/D)
-On Screen Display Control
-For PC, Server, GPS, and Standard VGA Use
-VGA Input (15 pin D-SUB)
-2 Video Inputs (2x RCA)
-1 Audio Input (1x RCA)
-New models are now equipped w/ touchscreen (USB)
-Brightness 400 nits
-Contrast Ratio: 200:1
-Side light system, CFL 1 tube
-Power Supply: DC 12V, 1A
-Dimensions: 187mm(W) x 126mm(H) x 26mm(W)
-Weight: 170 Gram
-Applications: for car, PC, GPS, DVD, camera use

I don't know if thats impressive or not I never really got too heavy into the technical end of monitors and such.

time to update avatar

Heh. Is that the lilliput? Mine just came in the mail today...

-brendan

Is that the lilliput?

Yup, did you get it off Ebay from the guy in Hong Kong?

yup!

Where you as amazed as I was at how quick that guy ships from hong kong? My package arrived before he returned my email (which was a little scary), I think mine got here (here being Norther VA) in a total of 3 days after the transaction.

Yeah, I was amazed at how quickly it shipped (to Northern VA as well), though I did have a weekend in between to slow things down a bit. Even then USPS showed post-customs activity on a Sunday...

...and the fact that the USPS was involved and it still took so little time makes it all that much more strange.

-brendan

A guy here at work ordered one as well, they delivered it on Sunday! Took 3 days.

What are the plans for yours? In car?

Yeah, in car. By priority, I still have the following to do first, though:
Speakers upgrade (sitting in boxes in the back, still trying to decide if modifying the speakers or cutting into the speaker well shrouds is best way to go)
Diodes/relays to fix the mute problem when driving for >45 minutes (got the diagram done and the additional components all wired up, just haven't opened the dash).
Hide the mic wire from the speakerphone.

Once that's all done, then look into just what kind of car computer can fit under the front seat(s).

Perhaps I'll be done by 2005?

-brendan

Diodes/relays to fix the mute problem when driving for >45 minutes

Is this something everyone has to deal with or something specific to your setup? I have my machine built, but haven't really started planning how I'm going to get it in the car.

Nah, it's related to wanting both the empg and the pioneer head unit to sense the mute signal from my speakerphone.
Nothing to see here, move along.

-brendan