Sony Vaio Z Dock for Home Theater?

I want to use a VPC-PRZ10 docking [port replicator] station for use in my home theater. Currently I hook my computer up to my system via HDMI but as we all know the dock lacks HDMI and audio out. I was wondering if I would get the desired effect by buying a DVI to HDMI adaptor and a USB audio card- either optical out or 3.5mm. Would I be able to get 7.1 sound with this type of audio setup? Any particular recommendations as to which card I should get? Are there any drawbacks to this, I assume I should still get 1080p through the DVI port...

You may be wondering why I don't just use the HDMI port as is now, but my ultimate goal with the docking station is to have less wear on multiple ports on my computer. I'm a little paranoid, but I like how I would be plugging in the charger, audio and video out, ethernet, and external HDD through one port (the bottom replicator one) instead of 4.

I was looking to get it through here which has it for $162.57.: Sony VAIO Z110 Series Docking Station VGPPRZ10 B&H Photo Video

 

Just a thought, but for nearly the cost of the dock + audio card, etc. you could probably just spring for a full blown HTPC/nettop such as an
*Acer Aspire Revo,
*Asus EeeBox,
*Lenovo IdeaCentre Q series,
*Apple Mac Mini,
* or a simpler cheaper device like an Apple TV, Roku, or Boxee.

And any of those solutions would free up your Z's SSD for things other than storing media, allow you to stream media from your Z, and allow you to be productive on the Z while watching internet TV, downloaded movies, etc. Any of those solutions would also likely have more resale value than a Z dock come a year or 2 down the line.

EDIT:Didn't see that you had a cheaper price than SonyStyle on the Dock... but you're still right around the price range for the cheaper dedicated machines.

 

Although it's a nice idea to have a dedicated home theater machine, it's just nice to be able to preserve the other ports when I work with extra peripherals (outside the home theater as well). I've got everything on an external HDD so space is not the issue.

If I want to be productive while something is running I use the P! lol

But you are right, for the price of the dock ~$175 after shipping and audio card $25, it's around the price of another machine.

 

I'm currently running a 1080P screen though dvi on the dock, so a DVI to HDMI adapter should be fine to plug into your tv.
I ordered a usb sound card with optical out. It should work fine to connect to external amp+speakers, but I'll tell you if that works when I get it.

 

Thanks Chluz! I would love to hear your experiences with the optical sound card once you try it out!

 

This is the one I got by the way : Asonic External USB2.0 8 Channel Sound Card | Ebuyer.com

 

Received the USB sound card today.
I've only been able to test stereo spdif output out yet, as I don't have my receiver here atm. I read on some forums that I will have to send the signal as DTS or AC3 using te spdif output as a passthrough, and decoding to analog in my amp, but using it that way works fine.

On another note, if you set the usb sound card as default when docked, whebnever you undock it will switch back to the laptop speakers automatically, and similarly when you redock it will go back to usb. So no need to change parameters

 

Thanks Chluz. I've managed to find this sound card on Amazon USA so I'll wait for your full writeup before I order it. It sounds like it'll suit my needs though.

 

Might be a while though, I left my receiver in paris and have to go back there to get it . Also, before I forget, here are the drivers i found for it.

Drivers & Downloads

EDIT : Actually just found other more recent drivers : http://www.x-drivers.com/catalog/drivers/sound_cards/companies/c-media/models/cm-106/

 

I'm not in a big rush. Thanks for the link to the drivers.

 

After reading this I pulled my Z out of the closet to put it to use as an htpc! I have the dock as well and I to do not want to use any connectors either. I went to Fry's and bought a dvi to hdmi cable, usb fiber optic sound card and it turns out Fry's had the new Z ac adapter that is considerably smaller than the one that came with mine!

I ended up going with the VGA directly into the TV and sound via 3.5mm stereo out of the usb sound card. It worked better that way as my receiver only has one optical port and the tv (samsung 55" 3d led) doesn't let you select where the audio source comes from when using HDMI. The sound comes out of the TV to the receiver via fiber optic. I didn't have to reprogram my Harmony for this setup either. Most of the stuff that I will be watching will be downloaded content and multichannel sound isn't a big deal.

Thanks for the inspiration...I'm glad I'm putting this amazing piece of hardware back to good use

 

You had a 512 GB SSD + blueray vaio z sitting in the cupboard ! im really jealous now ...

 

Seriously, why not just sell the Z and the P? That's a lot of devaluation just waiting to happen. Not to mention there are many more powerful and less expensive HTPC options with better suited form factors for HTPC duty.

 

I was thinking the same thing. How could you have the Z sitting in the closet?! LOL

I'm waiting for my Sony contact to get back to me if I can get the dock cheaper or else I'll order from that other site shown.

I actually have to look at my receiver to see how many optical inputs there are. I suppose there should be enough since it's a newer Denon.

 

Straying a little off topic, but how's the speed on your 2.0ghz P? Mine is 1.6 and I find it slow at doing some daily computing tasks like switching windows, loading a picture, etc.

 

I thought that my hinges were broken and the MacBook Air came out and I got it and I've just been using that and loving it. Finding this thread inspired me to get it out and look at it and then I found a thread on fixing the hinges (tighten the screws) and fixed it and now it's like brand new again! I forgot how much I love this computer and I'm pretty sure it's going back on main commputer duty right now!

I used the vaio P this summer when I was out at sea as my main computer and the performance is lacking. I was able to watch my downloaded tv shows and movies and connect with the Exchange server fine. I also used the gps feature when doing Celestial Navigation every night of it. It 's an alright computer, not worth the $2,000 i would say. The Air is way more capable and cheaper. I really should sell that thing...any body want it?

 

You should see the desktop that I built...

 

which USB sound card are you using ? I found some models with optical out only compatible with stereo sound.

I'm using a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro with my Z, and it perfectly works (DTS, Dolby Digital, AC3) with its optical out. Only have to install drivers (without drivers the card can work in stereo only, don't know why ?), and I'm using k-lite codec pack because is includes all necessary codecs, and you can choose to use passtrough mode when using s/pdif (as decoding should be done by your amp), and if you disconnect your usb card, it automatically fall back to internal decoding with laptop speakers. This is quite handy to do it that way I think.

 

I bought the one above. haven't yet been able to test DTS/dolby didgital through spdif (decoded by amp) as I don't have my amp atm, but all the reviews I read about this soundcard said it works with AC3filter set to spdif pcm passthrough mode

 

OK, its been 2 months but I finally managed to get the amp back. So I connected the external card (Asonic/Xenta model posted previously), configured the digital out as default playback device under playback devices, set AC3 filter to output format as is, with SPDIF passthrough on for AC3 DTS and mpeg, and set output via spdif under VLC; Just tried The Dark knight, and the amp recognises a dolby digital format or DTS, so everything seems to work (don't hope to get any of the HD DTS and DD formats though via optical out)

Sorry for the 2 months delay !

 

No problem! I bought the the USB sound thing and what I have hooked up is optical out on that to my Denon receiver. Then a DVI to HDMI adapter for the picture hooked up to the Denon as well. Everything seems to work fine.

 

I have a Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro that was about $20 and passes 5.1 just fine. Nothing like the XFi or whatever, but it is fine if you just want to play movies.