Can the X-fi Prelude do optical out and mic in simultaneously?

[Brando]

I love my modded xtrememusic but now that I have a big plasma tv I want to integrate my pc to my home theatre. I got a dvi to hdmi cable that works fine so video is good but if I want full quality digital audio to my reciever I have to give up the ability to use my mic when gaming since the digital out shares the same hole as the digital in. I saw 2 holes in a picture of the prelude but the description says it has coaxial and optical digital outputs which makes me wonder if it'll work or not. Anyone tried digital out (audio) and in (mic) at the same time with a prelude? Thanks.

[TTP]

I love my modded xtrememusic but now that I have a big plasma tv I want to integrate my pc to my home theatre. I got a dvi to hdmi cable that works fine so video is good but if I want full quality digital audio to my reciever I have to give up the ability to use my mic when gaming since the digital out shares the same hole as the digital in. I saw 2 holes in a picture of the prelude but the description says it has coaxial and optical digital outputs which makes me wonder if it'll work or not. Anyone tried digital out (audio) and in (mic) at the same time with a prelude? Thanks.

I would suggest routing an optical out from your Xfi to your HT setup. And get a separate USB headset.

[nd4spdbh2]

you might be able to get away with running a simple rca plug connected to the correct pins on the back of the xtrememusic (the almost PATA looking pins), as there are 4 YES 4 spdif output pins,

http://pinouts.ru/Multimedia/creative_int_pinout.shtml

http://www.driverheaven.net/audio-general-technical-discussion/51505-soundblaster-live-audigy-1-2-x-fi-pinouts.html

you could easily take a 2 pin connector and wires off an front pannel power switch/hd led/power led from an old case. Then simply solder the 2 wires up to a pannel mount RCA connector, and mount that RCA connector onto an extra PCI cover.

You obviously got to connect it up the right way so that the SPDIF signal is soldered to the internal "pin" of the RCA plug. What i would also do is if your going to make a run of more than 3-4 inches i would shield the ground and signal wire with some tinfoil also connected to a ground (make sure you run heatsrink over the tinfoil)

something like this pannelmount rca jack will be perfect
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103224&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&allCount=317&fbn=Cable+type%2FPhono+%28RCA%29+plugs+%26%23038%3 B+jacks&f=PAD%2FCable+Type%2FPhono+%28RCA%29+plugs+%26%230 38%3B+jacks&fbc=1&parentPage=family

[Brando]

I would suggest routing an optical out from your Xfi to your HT setup. And get a separate USB headset.
I considered that but I can't find any proof that it'll work with my soundcard properly. I prefer to have the x-fi handle all audio completely. Plus the fact that I already spent almost $200 on the analog headphones I have now and I love them. Choices.

[Brando]

you might be able to get away with running a simple rca plug connected to the correct pins on the back of the xtrememusic (the almost PATA looking pins), as there are 4 YES 4 spdif output pins,

http://pinouts.ru/Multimedia/creative_int_pinout.shtml

http://www.driverheaven.net/audio-general-technical-discussion/51505-soundblaster-live-audigy-1-2-x-fi-pinouts.html

you could easily take a 2 pin connector and wires off an front pannel power switch/hd led/power led from an old case. Then simply solder the 2 wires up to a pannel mount RCA connector, and mount that RCA connector onto an extra PCI cover.

You obviously got to connect it up the right way so that the SPDIF signal is soldered to the internal "pin" of the RCA plug. What i would also do is if your going to make a run of more than 3-4 inches i would shield the ground and signal wire with some tinfoil also connected to a ground (make sure you run heatsrink over the tinfoil)

something like this pannelmount rca jack will be perfect
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103224&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&allCount=317&fbn=Cable+type%2FPhono+%28RCA%29+plugs+%26%23038%3 B+jacks&f=PAD%2FCable+Type%2FPhono+%28RCA%29+plugs+%26%230 38%3B+jacks&fbc=1&parentPage=family

Wow thanks for all the info. That's pretty creative. I guess I'll have to measure the effort of doing it against the cost of a prelude and maybe flip a coin or something. The main reason I'm considering the upgrade is the mic\digital out thing but it may still be worth doing just to have even better sound AND all those inputs\outputs without the fuss. Still, a project may be in order......hmmmm......

[nd4spdbh2]

pff soldering up a simple rca jack drilling a hole in an empty pci slot and pluggin it in would take less than 10 min and 5 bucks.

[MadMan007]

I like nd4spdb2's creative ;) reply and info. Good stuff. Just to answer the OPs question though, the I/O on the Prelude is: Mic In, Line In, Front Out, Side Surround Out, Center/Sub Out, Back Surround Out (all 1/8" mini-jack) SPDIF In, SPDIF Out (combo coax and optical) So yes, there are separate Mic and SPDIF jacks.

[Brando]

Thank you very much! :)