How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs?

GigaWatt · Oct 2, 2008, 02:14 PM

whell, i don't know if thi is the apropriate place to put this thread, but here gose, the mods can move it if it doesn't belong here.

so, anyway, i've never used an optical S/PDIF output (or even a cable one for that matter...). i once saw this in a studio i was in, but the equipment justified the use of optical transfer of audio, so i guess this is mostly either a Hi-End audio option for some users (with the right equipment ofecourse), or the user has a studio with some expencive equpment so this would be the best way to transfer the signal with as little distortion as possible...

what are your thoughts on this subject...?

Judas · Oct 2, 2008, 03:34 PM

technically, the fiber optics and coax digital connections are extremely limited due to thier maximum bandwidth standard...... it would be nice if they presented a new standard allowing coax and fiber to have much much more bandwidth for more channels as well as higher resolutions of audio..

I use S/pdif on a computer only when the speakers connected are truely capable of decoding dolby digital or dts.... for movies only, OR all the time if the audio chip is capable of providing dolby digital live! or DTS Connect on the fly for the speakers to properly decode.

Recently with my Blu-ray system, i've been running strickly analog connections again, and running the blu-ray audio as 100% uncompressed LPCM 5.1 audio which is considerbly noticeably better then the true hd 5.1 that is available over fiber or coax

**dj_stick** · Oct 2, 2008, 11:39 PM

i use coaxial and optical spdif cables in my home theatre system, to get signal from my stb and dvd to the receiver/amp,

in my home "studio" i've got an optical cable from my mic preamp to the computer;s built in soundcard (let's me use a mic in windows - my other soundcard doesn't like windows)

most studio applications, while using optical cables, don't use spdif (thre are a few exceptions), they use ADAT - which sends upto 8 full-bandwidth 24bit/48khz audio streams down a single cable - very useful and convenient

GigaWatt · Oct 3, 2008, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

most studio applications, while using optical cables, don't use spdif (thre are a few exceptions), they use ADAT - which sends upto 8 full-bandwidth 24bit/48khz audio streams down a single cable - very useful and convenient

hmmmmm... never heard of that, and what does it stand for, is the A a prefix to DAT (Digital Audio Tape), or the short term (ADAT) has a totaly different meaning?

my card has a S/PDIF coaxial input and uotput, but i've never had to use it, since i don't have a DAT or some other kind of equipment that supports the coaxial S/PDIF standard. and even if i had an optical uotput (or/and an input) my receiver doesn't have a optical S/PDIF input, so ti's pritty pointless in bying an amplifier that has, since my sound card doesn't have an optical output... althow a friend of mine had this Yamaha amplifier (can't remeber which model), so he borrowed it to me for a week or so (i had to fix mine, it had a faulty output FET), and the amplifier had a coaxial S/PDIF input, so i figgured why the hell not

, try it... and i did. expected much more than from what i heard, it wasn't as nearly as good as i thought it would be, then again, i don't know what kind of D/A decoder the Yamaha amp had, so... maby the D/A decoder was a cheap one...? don't know for shure...

anyay, i'm stuck to plane old coaxial stereo

, and i'm happy with it, never did like sourround sound much. i use Terminator and Aurex cables, and some real high quality custom made cables (the cables with which i built them where Jamo, realy expecncive), cuz i've seen how low quality cables can damage the sound. actually, i read that most of the distortion of the sound is being reproduced by the cables that you use and the speakers (parasite capacitance, parasite impedance, higher resistance because of low qulity copper wires, etc...), and since they bond every piece of equipment together, it kinda makes sence to buy high quality cables, if you use analogue transfer of the signal

...

Dark Lord · Oct 3, 2008, 03:34 AM

i use it on both my pc and ps3.

**dj_stick** · Oct 3, 2008, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GigaWatt

hmmmmm... never heard of that, and what does it stand for, is the A a prefix to DAT (Digital Audio Tape), or the short term (ADAT) has a totaly different meaning?

It's related to the Alesis Digital Audio Tape - which recorded 8 tracks of digital audio onto an S-VHS tape - but the ADAT Optical Interface is the connection that I referred to earlier, using optical cables to transfer 8 tracks (originally to/from ADAT machines, but now to any devices that supports the standard).

Customgamer1 · Oct 3, 2008, 05:29 AM

I use optical all the time because my laptop is hooked up to my 5.1 system and the difference is amazing between the standard audio hook up to optical.

Sure its not the best, but better than the standard headphone out.

It was a night feature when I was looking to buy a laptop! Built in on a laptop is not that common, but sure is nice.

GigaWatt · Oct 3, 2008, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

It's related to the Alesis Digital Audio Tape - which recorded 8 tracks of digital audio onto an S-VHS tape - but the ADAT Optical Interface is the connection that I referred to earlier, using optical cables to transfer 8 tracks (originally to/from ADAT machines, but now to any devices that supports the standard).

hmmmm... where can i find one of those Alesis Digital Audio Tape devices, i only herad that Kenwood still produces DAT's. but as you said, the standard for transfering the aduio is different, DAT uses only 2 channels and as you described, ADAT uses 8 channels (7.1 audio i guess...). and what is the difference between S-VHS (i gusess the extra S in the prefix stands for Super, or something like that...), and the VHS tapes, are they the same size or smaller/bigger, can tehy be used on on a standard VHS player/records (for video recording)?

aaaaaahhh... too many questions...

, if you don't have the time to answer, just post some links, ill read them, no obligations...

, thanks...

GigaWatt · Oct 3, 2008, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Customgamer1

I use optical all the time because my laptop is hooked up to my 5.1 system and the difference is amazing between the standard audio hook up to optical.

Sure its not the best, but better than the standard headphone out.

that is because most lap tops (notebooks), have s**tty audio decoder chips, most of them bearly do their job and definetly can't be classified as a hi-fi audio decoders. i don't know why they even put them, if you are giong to put someting on a PC, notebook, whatever, put a higher class product, or don't put it at all, but that's just my opinion...

it just takes up resources and does basicly nothing, i've never heard someone watching DVD's on their notebook and using the onboard audio. the have tried it, but as a friend of mine likes to say "eeeeeh... DivX, on a onboard PC audio card sounds much better than a DVD on a onboard notebook audio card"...

RIV@NVX · Oct 5, 2008, 10:37 AM

I only have an amp that isn't reciever, so I don't use it. But most soundcards from my collection support it in some way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GigaWatt

hmmmm... where can i find one of those Alesis Digital Audio Tape devices, i only herad that Kenwood still produces DAT's. but as you said, the standard for transfering the aduio is different, DAT uses only 2 channels and as you described, ADAT uses 8 channels (7.1 audio i guess...). and what is the difference between S-VHS (i gusess the extra S in the prefix stands for Super, or something like that...), and the VHS tapes, are they the same size or smaller/bigger, can tehy be used on on a standard VHS player/records (for video recording)?

aaaaaahhh... too many questions...

, if you don't have the time to answer, just post some links, ill read them, no obligations...

, thanks...

Cheapest soundcard that I know that supports ADAT is E-mu 1212m PCI (it's older revision works too).
There are many ADAT interfaces, one of the cheapest is Behringer ADA8000.

GeneralClaymore · Oct 11, 2008, 04:12 AM

I use SPDIF at first til a combo port adaptor broke inside and I had to send it in. So now I using the Coxial. But Still I used it for my Logitech Z5500 for DDlive/DTS, Since I use the analog for my Ultrasone HFI-780 Because of the OPA627au and LMA4562a Opamps.

I usually use my speakers when I feel like using them and not my headphones or when some one is over and we playing games that two players on one pc. Or when I watching tv.

ROBSCIX · Oct 12, 2008, 02:31 AM

Depending on your card and your gear digital may actually be a downgrade in many cases. If the card has better DAC's then the device your connecting it to then digital is a downgrade...

**dj_stick** · Oct 15, 2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIV@NVX

There are many ADAT interfaces, one of the cheapest is Behringer ADA8000.

even though it's a behringer, i've had great success using that ADA unit coupled with a 002 and a DBX pre-amp w/ spdif for multi track-location recording

GeneralClaymore · Oct 26, 2008, 03:15 PM

I used it for my speakers since I have my headphones plugged thru the analog out on the prelude. so I wouldnt be swtiching out the speakers and the headphones back and fore.

ROBSCIX · Oct 26, 2008, 03:50 PM

I experiment with it from time to time.

GeneralClaymore · Oct 26, 2008, 11:41 PM

Woops I notice I had already posted in this thread from a earlier date.

cause_of_chaos · Nov 14, 2008, 06:43 PM

I use Digital Coaxial - my Speaker system's optical connection is taken up by my PS3 / X360.

Still, Digital Coaxial sounds AWESOME on my Sony Home Theatre system / Audigy2 ZS Platinum combination!

cause_of_chaos

Triad979 · Nov 24, 2008, 02:27 PM

Better sound on SPDIF and flexi jack on X-Fi definitely, also included Digital I/O option in Speakers, Cotrol Panel, Sound icon.
Interestingly that CMSS 3D in creative drivers doesn't work when SPDIF is selected as a default playback device since it is only passthrough, it works when Speakers are default.
Much better sound then in analog connections, but it's like that because of my Yamaha 559 receiver which is converting to digital when I select default analog outputs from X-Fi. Digital flexy jack on X-fi with SPDIF as default output paired with digital AV receiver is best combination for great sound.
Otherway if you don't have receiver sound system home but just speakers, then analog output and bunch of cables are better sollution since both ends are analog (there is no need for any conversion and loosed sound format)!
It's my firm oppinion!

Ohh yeah, Btw, If you manage to get DDL Live in encoder settings of X-fi Audigy 2 drivers then all heaven is yours since card decodes internaly all multichannel Alchemy sounds through emmbeded AC3 drivers on ctss32k.sys driver! ]
Great indeed! ;-)

**dj_stick** · Nov 24, 2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triad979

Better so4but it's like that because of my Yamaha 559 receiver which is converting to digital when I select default analog outputs from X-Fi.4

That's unlikely... as the receiver DECODES digital audio to analogue to play through the speakers, rather than the other way around (we can't hear digital sound) unless your receiver has a DSP setting enabled

Triad979 · Nov 26, 2008, 02:50 PM

Help plz, what is DSP setting, I haven't seen it at me?
Must have to look at the rec book (it's freakin 220 pages)!

Thought that analog output from stereo to chinch jacks from X-Fi need to be encoded in digital in yamaha processor so that it can be played on speakers!?
Yamaha instead converts it to analog in order to be able to "hear it" as you said that we can't hear digital!!?
My assumption was just logical but I've must been wrong!
That can't erase the fact that my X-Fi DDL encoder in Creative CP on SPDIF uotput sounds much better then 3 x stereo 5.1 analog sorrounds from other three jacks!!!
DDL live pack and encoder are assigning right channel to each speaker on SPDIF now, and it's much richer sound I can tell, aswell as used as it should be with alchemy and games made with effects for specific channels.

Still SPDIF as default Playback device in CP=>Sound is not supported by Creative CP effects like CMSS 3D and Crystal Sound option.
Phreak

, even the Master Volume there doesnt work.
But it's about Speakers as default Playback device in CP=>Sound, then everything is all right!
Creative applied CP to work only on speakers as def. device.

Also 5.1 encoded Battlestar Galactica on SPDIF as default sends Dolby to rec.
On the other side Speakers applied as default doesn't send dolby (there's not DDL info on rec panel) but encodes it like it should!!???
It's mistery to me for now!
Btw, using Media P. Classic and Vista codec pack (think it's the best option and most tweakable)!

Shaga · Nov 26, 2008, 04:53 PM

I use it for movies, music and tv programs. For gaming I use multichannel.

Yamaha RX-V450 with 6.1 home theater speakers and 37" hyundai tv.

Galactus · Nov 26, 2008, 05:04 PM

I don't have the need for it just yet but when I do would probably be to view movies.

Judas · Nov 26, 2008, 07:05 PM

now powered by HDMI

With a Yamaha RX-V3900 amplifier which allows for pure digital connections and raw multi channel streaming over hdmi...... it simply sounds amazing.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...?CNTID=5016803

there it be.... it's very very very VERY nice...

Triad979 · Nov 28, 2008, 01:42 PM

DAMN

It must be good!?

betopr · Dec 1, 2008, 01:42 AM

I use it some times with dts movies mostly,the sound is good, but use it mostly when iam on the tv playing games and not usingthe monitor.

GigaWatt · Dec 1, 2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triad979

DAMN

It must be good!?

well, it depends which device is doing the D/A conversion (Digital to Analogue).

if it's some cheap 2.1 or 5.1 PC surround system, the results would be unpredictable. in some cases the decoder chips are great and the results are better than analogue transfer. but in other cases, the decoding can produce even worse results than the original onboard decoder (audio card) of the motherboard did. intermodulation noise and degradation of the signal can be very harmfull to a humans eardrum, even if the listener can't really hear it.

if it's a professional or a semi-professional card (or device) doing the decoding, then i guess you could say that in this case the decoding would be almost flawless

. some really High-End amplifiers have these kind of decoders, but they don't come cheap... actually they are pretty expencive

. but, if you want to get good sound from a regular PC (notebook), that would be one of the ways to do it

.

Oct 2, 2008, 02:14 PM	#1
GigaWatt Now In Color :D Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Macedonia, Skopje Posts: 2,116 Rep Power: 81 System Specs	How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? whell, i don't know if thi is the apropriate place to put this thread, but here gose, the mods can move it if it doesn't belong here. so, anyway, i've never used an optical S/PDIF output (or even a cable one for that matter...). i once saw this in a studio i was in, but the equipment justified the use of optical transfer of audio, so i guess this is mostly either a Hi-End audio option for some users (with the right equipment ofecourse), or the user has a studio with some expencive equpment so this would be the best way to transfer the signal with as little distortion as possible... what are your thoughts on this subject...? __________________ It's not schisophrenia... it's just a voice in my head...

Oct 3, 2008, 03:34 AM	#5
Dark Lord HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,945 Rep Power: 125 System Specs	i use it on both my pc and ps3. __________________

Oct 3, 2008, 05:29 AM	#7
Customgamer1 Fell off the tech wagon Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,273 Rep Power: 74 System Specs	I use optical all the time because my laptop is hooked up to my 5.1 system and the difference is amazing between the standard audio hook up to optical. Sure its not the best, but better than the standard headphone out. It was a night feature when I was looking to buy a laptop! Built in on a laptop is not that common, but sure is nice. __________________ Asus Laptop: 2.5 Intel Core 2 Duo, 4gigs DDR 2, Windows 7 64bit! Windows 7 > OSX!

Oct 11, 2008, 04:12 AM	#11
GeneralClaymore HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MI Posts: 434 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? I use SPDIF at first til a combo port adaptor broke inside and I had to send it in. So now I using the Coxial. But Still I used it for my Logitech Z5500 for DDlive/DTS, Since I use the analog for my Ultrasone HFI-780 Because of the OPA627au and LMA4562a Opamps. I usually use my speakers when I feel like using them and not my headphones or when some one is over and we playing games that two players on one pc. Or when I watching tv. __________________ Source: x-fi titanium hd 2x LT1124ACN+ 2x LT1115 > Matrix M-Stage V2 /w 2x LME49710NA> DT880 pro 250ohm

Oct 12, 2008, 02:31 AM	#12
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? Depending on your card and your gear digital may actually be a downgrade in many cases. If the card has better DAC's then the device your connecting it to then digital is a downgrade...

Oct 26, 2008, 03:15 PM	#14
GeneralClaymore HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MI Posts: 434 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? I used it for my speakers since I have my headphones plugged thru the analog out on the prelude. so I wouldnt be swtiching out the speakers and the headphones back and fore. __________________ Source: x-fi titanium hd 2x LT1124ACN+ 2x LT1115 > Matrix M-Stage V2 /w 2x LME49710NA> DT880 pro 250ohm

Oct 26, 2008, 03:50 PM	#15
ROBSCIX DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,732 Rep Power: 0	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? I experiment with it from time to time.

Oct 26, 2008, 11:41 PM	#16
GeneralClaymore HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MI Posts: 434 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? Woops I notice I had already posted in this thread from a earlier date. __________________ Source: x-fi titanium hd 2x LT1124ACN+ 2x LT1115 > Matrix M-Stage V2 /w 2x LME49710NA> DT880 pro 250ohm

Nov 14, 2008, 06:43 PM	#17
cause_of_chaos SEGA Europe Limited Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, United Kingdom Posts: 133 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? I use Digital Coaxial - my Speaker system's optical connection is taken up by my PS3 / X360. Still, Digital Coaxial sounds AWESOME on my Sony Home Theatre system / Audigy2 ZS Platinum combination! cause_of_chaos __________________ AMD Phenom II 965 Black Edition @ 3.4Ghz 4Gb Crucial Ballistix PC2 8500 ~ 800 FSB {Timings 4-4-4-12} Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe CrossfireX Mobo ~ 2002 Bios MSI ATI RX3870 512Mb PCI-e 2.0 Graphics card Creative Audigy2 ZS Platinum Sound card (SB0350 10k2 [e800])

Nov 24, 2008, 02:27 PM	#18
Triad979 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clark's ring orbit Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? Better sound on SPDIF and flexi jack on X-Fi definitely, also included Digital I/O option in Speakers, Cotrol Panel, Sound icon. Interestingly that CMSS 3D in creative drivers doesn't work when SPDIF is selected as a default playback device since it is only passthrough, it works when Speakers are default. Much better sound then in analog connections, but it's like that because of my Yamaha 559 receiver which is converting to digital when I select default analog outputs from X-Fi. Digital flexy jack on X-fi with SPDIF as default output paired with digital AV receiver is best combination for great sound. Otherway if you don't have receiver sound system home but just speakers, then analog output and bunch of cables are better sollution since both ends are analog (there is no need for any conversion and loosed sound format)! It's my firm oppinion! Ohh yeah, Btw, If you manage to get DDL Live in encoder settings of X-fi Audigy 2 drivers then all heaven is yours since card decodes internaly all multichannel Alchemy sounds through emmbeded AC3 drivers on ctss32k.sys driver! ] Great indeed! ;-) Last edited by Triad979; Nov 24, 2008 at 02:34 PM. Reason: Mistakes

Nov 26, 2008, 02:50 PM	#20
Triad979 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clark's ring orbit Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? Help plz, what is DSP setting, I haven't seen it at me? Must have to look at the rec book (it's freakin 220 pages)! Thought that analog output from stereo to chinch jacks from X-Fi need to be encoded in digital in yamaha processor so that it can be played on speakers!? Yamaha instead converts it to analog in order to be able to "hear it" as you said that we can't hear digital!!? My assumption was just logical but I've must been wrong! That can't erase the fact that my X-Fi DDL encoder in Creative CP on SPDIF uotput sounds much better then 3 x stereo 5.1 analog sorrounds from other three jacks!!! DDL live pack and encoder are assigning right channel to each speaker on SPDIF now, and it's much richer sound I can tell, aswell as used as it should be with alchemy and games made with effects for specific channels. Still SPDIF as default Playback device in CP=>Sound is not supported by Creative CP effects like CMSS 3D and Crystal Sound option. Phreak , even the Master Volume there doesnt work. But it's about Speakers as default Playback device in CP=>Sound, then everything is all right! Creative applied CP to work only on speakers as def. device. Also 5.1 encoded Battlestar Galactica on SPDIF as default sends Dolby to rec. On the other side Speakers applied as default doesn't send dolby (there's not DDL info on rec panel) but encodes it like it should!!??? It's mistery to me for now! Btw, using Media P. Classic and Vista codec pack (think it's the best option and most tweakable)! __________________ Sat channel decoding!

Nov 26, 2008, 04:53 PM	#21
Shaga Intelligent Life Form Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nordic Region Posts: 383 Rep Power: 48 System Specs	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? I use it for movies, music and tv programs. For gaming I use multichannel. Yamaha RX-V450 with 6.1 home theater speakers and 37" hyundai tv. __________________ Server: Currently Offline

Nov 26, 2008, 05:04 PM	#22
Galactus DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 32 Rep Power: 0	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? I don't have the need for it just yet but when I do would probably be to view movies.

Nov 28, 2008, 01:42 PM	#24
Triad979 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clark's ring orbit Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? DAMN It must be good!? __________________ Sat channel decoding!

Dec 1, 2008, 01:42 AM	#25
betopr DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	Re: How many of you use S/PDIF Optical outputs? I use it some times with dts movies mostly,the sound is good, but use it mostly when iam on the tv playing games and not usingthe monitor.