Newbie Question!!: What is SPDIF ?

[Dazed]

Hi, probably a stupid question but I thought id ask.

What is SPDIF and how do I connect it to an A/V Receiver (Denon 1803)?

Does it use the Optical In socket ?


Thanks in advance

[palebluedot]

S/PDIF stands for Sony/Philips Digital Interface.

It can use either optical or copper media to transmit. It carries the audio in digital form. If your S/PDIF connection is optical then plug it into your optical in on the receiver.

[nabster]

just realized i have an SPDIF out and an SPDIF in on my PC as well .. but they are not optical. They look like an RCA jack .. how would I hook that up to my receiver ... thanks for your help!

[Sonicflood]

RCA type SPDIF connection = Coax

[JNielsen]

Originally posted by Sonicflood
RCA type SPDIF connection = Coax
Don't use just any coax cable though. There are digital coax cables designed for SPDIF connections.

[nabster]

I tried using a regular Coax .. but it didnt really work. I was wondering if I had to enable the port on the computer first?

Ive never seen a digital coax cable ... are these easy to find??

thanks!

[steebo777]

Very easy to find coax or optical digital cables. They should be right next to eachother if you're shopping at a B&M store.

[JNielsen]

Originally posted by nabster
I tried using a regular Coax .. but it didnt really work. I was wondering if I had to enable the port on the computer first?

Ive never seen a digital coax cable ... are these easy to find??

thanks!
Some cards do have that output muted when they are shipped. Go into the software for the card, you should be able to see if it is in there. When shopping, just make sure the packaging says "digital coax".

You can order from here if you want. (http://accessories4less.com/aless4/Corporate/items.asp?CartId=ACCWARE-11359776SQJGQ268&cc=CAB%2DDIGC&tpc=)

[Frank S]

Originally posted by JNielsen
Don't use just any coax cable though. There are digital coax cables designed for SPDIF connections. You DO NOT need to buy the over priced Digital Coaxial cables to get the Coaxial Digital signal to your surround receiver! Just be sure to use a decent video NOT audio RCA cable and you will have more then enough bandwidth to carry the Digital signal.

[pedagogue]

The little adapter for the SPDIF is a ripoff. I was looking into getting one to run a cable from my computer to my receiver...and it was $30-$40 for the adapter and then I had to buy a coax cable (I didn't have another free optical jack...which would have been cheaper)

-pedagogue

[JNielsen]

Originally posted by Frank S
Just be sure to use a decent video NOT audio RCA cable and you will have more then enough bandwidth to carry the Digital signal.
Which is what I linked him to above :)

[Hanson]

Just be sure to use a decent video NOT audio RCA cable

Don't even need to go that far. Just use whatever cable has RCA ends. Solder RCA ends to a wrie hanger -- it still works.

If you are having bandwidth problems, the signal will drop out. When it's working, it's working as good as it gets.

You should have a spare RCA cable lying around somewhere. Don't waste any money buying one.