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What the heck is SPDIF
- Thread starter CPFitz14
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S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) is a standard audio transfer file format. It is usually found on digital audio equipment such as a DAT machine or audio processing device. It allows the transfer of audio from one file to another without the conversion to and from an analog format, which could degrade the signal quality.
The most common connector used with an S/PDIF interface is the RCA connector, the same one used for consumer audio products. An optical connector is also sometimes used.
The most common connector used with an S/PDIF interface is the RCA connector, the same one used for consumer audio products. An optical connector is also sometimes used.
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What is SPDIF?
SPDIF stands for Sony Philips Digital Interface. This is an interface standard that is specified in the compact disc "red book." The "red book" describes in detail the workings of digital audio transmission, storage and replay within a compact disc digital audio environment. SPDIF protocol uses a coaxial copper cable to connect a digital audio source to a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter or digital processor. TosLink (Toshiba) is another interface protocol that specifies the use of a fiber optic cable between digital components.
Most consumer audio products that offer AC-3 sound decoding also offer an SPDIF interface. In addition, many audiophiles and industry professionals feel that the SPDIF protocol allows for better sound quality than TosLink. The HDD200 decoder offers SPDIF output for connection to a digital processor or high quality external D/A converter.
DS-Master
SPDIF stands for Sony Philips Digital Interface. This is an interface standard that is specified in the compact disc "red book." The "red book" describes in detail the workings of digital audio transmission, storage and replay within a compact disc digital audio environment. SPDIF protocol uses a coaxial copper cable to connect a digital audio source to a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter or digital processor. TosLink (Toshiba) is another interface protocol that specifies the use of a fiber optic cable between digital components.
Most consumer audio products that offer AC-3 sound decoding also offer an SPDIF interface. In addition, many audiophiles and industry professionals feel that the SPDIF protocol allows for better sound quality than TosLink. The HDD200 decoder offers SPDIF output for connection to a digital processor or high quality external D/A converter.
DS-Master
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Last edited:
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yes, but remember that a digital signal is passed through, not an analog signal.
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Digital signal uses 1s and 0s while analog signal uses pulses to deliver information.
By using Digital, much more information can be passed through the connection while providing the same quality.
EX: 5.1 channels can be passed through a simple RCA SPDIF connection.
Your regular RCA Stereo (Red and White) pluged hookups use Analog which allows for only a simple signal to pass through.
DOLBY was the first to introduce multiple pulses which allowed for Dolby Surround (4 speakers) from a simple Left Right RCA jacks. DOLBY had two pulses run threw each channel (Left and Right) giving the user a possible 4 channel surround.
Now days, very high end systems use Fibre Optics but I wont get into that with you now
DS-Master
By using Digital, much more information can be passed through the connection while providing the same quality.
EX: 5.1 channels can be passed through a simple RCA SPDIF connection.
Your regular RCA Stereo (Red and White) pluged hookups use Analog which allows for only a simple signal to pass through.
DOLBY was the first to introduce multiple pulses which allowed for Dolby Surround (4 speakers) from a simple Left Right RCA jacks. DOLBY had two pulses run threw each channel (Left and Right) giving the user a possible 4 channel surround.
Now days, very high end systems use Fibre Optics but I wont get into that with you now
DS-Master
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So if I had a home audio digital decording receiver I would be able to hook my computer up to that, right?
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Home Theater System, Computer, Big Screen, all together. Frag from the couch, while recording it your VCR and/or stream it over the web. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,
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Well, you got the SPDIF connection so that means that something in your PC uses, reads, or decodes Dolby Digital AC-3 surround may it be a DXR2/3 card, or any Mpeg2 card for that matter or the sound card.
Just send that signal to a Dolby Digital (AC-3) decoder and you got surround signal potentially coming from your PC, that is as long as your playing a DVD. As far as I know, EAX or direct3D for that matter does not work with SPDIF unless you do some major tweaking to your soundcard / Mpeg2 decoder drivers.
DS-Master
Just send that signal to a Dolby Digital (AC-3) decoder and you got surround signal potentially coming from your PC, that is as long as your playing a DVD. As far as I know, EAX or direct3D for that matter does not work with SPDIF unless you do some major tweaking to your soundcard / Mpeg2 decoder drivers.
DS-Master
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let me claify something here, the pic that penguin4x4 posted it not a SPDIF, its a regular analog Left and Right RCA connector, SPDIF is usualy black or orange in color and requires a specialy designed coax which i forgot the name of but itll come to me (but only right after i sign off the internet ) also one SPDIF conector can carry 5.1 (maby even the new 7.1 but not sure) channenls of sound as opposed to the analog only being able to carry one
) also one SPDIF conector can carry 5.1 (maby even the new 7.1 but not sure) channenls of sound as opposed to the analog only being able to carry one
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whoa, wait a second EAX doesnt work with SPDIF? then why the heck is there a SPDIF output on my Audigy (which i haven been able to get to work by the way, hmmm...)
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Regardless, you can output to a home theater receiver, which has better sound processing. I got that connector pic from here
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This is because Sound Blaster Audigy decodes AC-3 (Dolby Digital) on the fly but SPDIF gives you the option to transmute the digital signal directly from the DVD to an external decoder card. You can also use your SPDIF to transfer an already decoded signal to a digital amp so that only 1 cord is needed to send 5.1 signals to the amplifier eliminating the need for six cords.
Audigy Platinum has Fibre optics so you would get even a better signal through fibre if you got the money to blow on the cords.
DS-Master
Audigy Platinum has Fibre optics so you would get even a better signal through fibre if you got the money to blow on the cords.
DS-Master
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ya, i bought Monster Fiberoptics a long time ago for my DVD player but even with those it still wont play throught my Sony amp. the amp just sits there with the screen blinking _ _ _._ Khz. i talked to Creative about it and they said it was a problem with my amp. I talked to Sony about it and they said it was a problem with my soud card
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