Internal audio connectors for
ATI-TV and ALL-IN-WONDER series products

In order to hear TV sound, the audio output of the ATI card must be connected to the sound card (or onboard motherboard audio, if used).

Most ATI-TV and All-in-Wonder series products have external connectors (on the back panel of card) which are used to patch the audio signal from the tuner into the "LINE IN" of the sound card.

Some ATI products also support an internal connection to the sound card (inside the computer case) using cables and connectors similar to those used to connect a CD-ROM drive to the sound card.

For some products, only the internal connectors are available.

On their website, ATI states, "ATI STRONGLY RECOMMENDS that the AUDIO connection be accomplished EXTERNALLY, using the supplied cable, whenever possible", but offers no explanation for this recommendation. I have received two reports of improved audio using the internal cable vs. the external. By contrast, only one complaint has been received concerning use of the internal cable, and that may have been either a defective cable (the buyer did not request a replacment) or a defective card (the buyer had no external audio cable to use to verify the internal connection was at fault).

For details on making an external audio connection, please see the "Setup Tips" pages for the product in the PC Products section of the ATI website.
If your ATI tuner-equipped product supports an internal audio connection, you will find 2 connectors located along the top edge of the board.

Both of these use the common "ground-left-ground-right" pin configuration found on most sound cards using the same type connector.

The pin assignments for CD IN and CD OUT are shown below:

CD OUT (sometimes marked J1 or J14) CD IN (sometimes marked J2 or J13)
Pin 1 - GND Pin 1 - GND
Pin 2 - LEFT OUT Pin 2 - LEFT IN
Pin 3 - GND Pin 3 - GND
Pin 4 - RIGHT OUT Pin 4 - RIGHT IN

The CD OUT connector can be used to connect the tuner sound output to an input on the sound card. Normally, this input will be a "CD AUDIO" or "AUXILIARY" connector (commonly labeled CD IN or AUX).

connectgenericinternalaudio

Above image copyright 2005 by Lonnie McClure
Permission granted to copy (not link) and use elsewhere if this statement is shown below image


Note that the ATI CD OUT connector is NOT capable of driving speakers and should only be connected to a line level input on the sound card.

You may need to reconfigure the ATI Video Player/ATI Multimedia Center software for the correct sound channel . You may also need to adjust the system sound mixer.


If you had to disconnect your CD-ROM drive from the sound card in order to hook up the ATI card, you can get your CD audio sound back by routing CD audio through the ATI card.

Attach the CD audio output of the CD-ROM drive to the CD IN connector on the ATI card.

connectcdaudiototuner

Above image copyright 2005 by Lonnie McClure
Permission granted to copy (not link) and use elsewhere if this statement is shown below image


Complete the connection between the ATI card and your sound card as shown in the Internal Audio Connectors section above.

When the tuner is active, you will hear TV sound.

When the tuner is not active, you will hear CD audio.


If you require an internal audio cable for and ATI-TV or ALL-IN-WONDER series product, it can be ordered from ATI. As of January 2007, their price is $12.99 (Part Number: 6110006000).

I offer a similar cable for $3.32 including shipping and handling. In the rare event that your sound card or motherboard does not use the standard MPC-2 connector, you will either need to purchase ATI's own cable, or locate an appropriate cable from another vendor.

Symptoms associated with using the wrong cable include:
Although using the wrong audio cable should not cause any damage, it is strongly recommended that you confirm the pin configuration of each device, and use a cable which connects the right signals to the right pins.