Tell me how you use your SPDIF ports!

[mikemc]

Some of those are optical, they look like electrical, what does the spec for the PC say about the port?

I'll have to check the pc manual... it seems electrical.

This is a good rundown
http://www.epanorama.net/documents/audio/spdif.html

I'd hate it if you fried your computer.

... this would be an unintended use, yes

[edit] The specifications for the laptop indicate "3 Audio jacks, mic, stereo and S/PDIF". The manual says:
"This S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) Out Port allows you to
connect your DVD-capable PC to a Dolby AC-3 compatible receiver for “5.1”
or ‘dts’ surround sound."

It is definitely visually identical to the other two jacks.

[Tone Deft]

The RCA end is simple, the tip of the plug is the signal, the sleeve is ground.

On the TRS end...

It's probably a 'mono' style TRS plug. (single ended signal)
- '1' is ground, tie that to the sleeve on the RCA.
- '3' is signal, tie that to the signal on the RCA.

You're right, in your case you're not asking about AES/EBU interfaces, you're talking SPDIF to SPDIF, you'll be fine.

[mikemc]

Ok, cool-- thanks: basically I need a mono 1/8" plug (single earphone-like) to a mono RCA...

arrrr... there she be!

[Tone Deft]

Looks right.

[mikemc]

Looks right.

so... 5.1 applications aside.... if I run the spdif out from my PC soundcard to the spdif in on my interface (I have an option to send data and audio or just data), does that gain me anything?

[Tone Deft]

Looks right.

so... 5.1 applications aside.... if I run the spdif out from my PC soundcard to the spdif in on my interface (I have an option to send data and audio or just data), does that gain me anything?

Just a digital transfer of data without the noise and D/A-A/D artifacts that analog might pickup along the way.

[mikemc]

Looks right.

so... 5.1 applications aside.... if I run the spdif out from my PC soundcard to the spdif in on my interface (I have an option to send data and audio or just data), does that gain me anything?

Just a digital transfer of data without the noise and D/A-A/D artifacts that analog might pickup along the way.

Is there such a thing as an SPDIF 'splitter', and/or electrical spdif to optical converter?

[Sales Dude McBoob]

so... 5.1 applications aside.... if I run the spdif out from my PC soundcard to the spdif in on my interface (I have an option to send data and audio or just data), does that gain me anything?

Just a digital transfer of data without the noise and D/A-A/D artifacts that analog might pickup along the way.

Is there such a thing as an SPDIF 'splitter', and/or electrical spdif to optical converter?

Converter:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... ype=search

I don't know of a splitter.

[Tone Deft]

so... 5.1 applications aside.... if I run the spdif out from my PC soundcard to the spdif in on my interface (I have an option to send data and audio or just data), does that gain me anything?

Just a digital transfer of data without the noise and D/A-A/D artifacts that analog might pickup along the way.

Is there such a thing as an SPDIF 'splitter', and/or electrical spdif to optical converter?

An electrical splitter could be made from most line driver ICs, op amps, and such.

An electrical to optical converter - just put an LED across the signal with a current limiting resistor (30-70 Ohms).

That link I posted shows how to do those.

[Herne]

Used for stereo audio from Boss GT-8 guitar FX, one amp and cab on each channel, one <20ms delay on the other = instant double tracking, and you only have to play each riff once .

Nice and clean, good headroom, no colouration, I like SPDIF.

[gnapier]

Just a digital transfer of data without the noise and D/A-A/D artifacts that analog might pickup along the way.

Is there such a thing as an SPDIF 'splitter', and/or electrical spdif to optical converter?

Converter:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... ype=search

I don't know of a splitter.

It's not a splitter you want...it's a distributor. You can pretty much use a video distribution hub with the coax connection I've been told.

I've been looking for something that will take multiple spdif inputs so i can use the spdif outs on gear (e.g., v-synth, virus, etc.) instead of the usb outs. haven't really found much....and there is some 'master clock' stuff you need to be concerned with if you want to do that too. I sent a question into Virtual Instruments Magazine a few months back and Nick (the editor) was kind enough to shed some light on the subject...think it was the november issue.

[Rogue Scrunt]

I use one of these you can mix one analog and 4 stereo spdif signals.

I use it as a main monitor mixer, like a central station

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Jun03/a ... dm1000.asp

[abletoff]

if you need a good all round digital converter the Behringer ultramatch is more than fine

[mikemc]

Just a digital transfer of data without the noise and D/A-A/D artifacts that analog might pickup along the way.

Is there such a thing as an SPDIF 'splitter', and/or electrical spdif to optical converter?

Converter:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... ype=search

I don't know of a splitter.

..this is a neat thingie... cool...

if you need a good all round digital converter the Behringer ultramatch is more than fine

yes, both of these offer interesting possibilities.

This is a geekier question: how much do spdif signals (optical and coax) degrade over distance?

What I am thinking about (which seems straightforward given all of this) is to send spdif out of one audio interface, connected to a computer, to another interface connected to a computer running an audio visualizer/ graphics generation program. The cable might need to run a ways, however.

[abletoff]

I think the max with adat signals is 10 mt, spdif goes longer, about 40mt, but i'm guessing