Not sure if my mobo has SPDIF out...

[bovinda]

Trying to hook up SPDIF audio on my mobo (FoxConn P35A) to my video card (MSI 8600 GT). The mobo has SPDIF out on the outside, but I can't figure out if it does somewhere on the inside to hook it up to the vid card? I would think it would, if it has SPDIF out on the back, but is that a silly assumption?

...and where could I get an SPDIF cable to hook them together (either internal or external)? I can't find one on NewEgg or Frys...

Any and all input is greatly appreciated!

 

[jvnk]

Any cable will do to connect it to your audio setup. Just grab an RCA cable(or any cable that fits) to bridge the connection.

And as far as I know, you wouldn't connect S/PDIF to your video card... it should go straight to your audio equipment.

 

[bovinda]

Originally posted by: jvnk
Any cable will do to connect it to your audio setup. Just grab an RCA cable(or any cable that fits) to bridge the connection.

And as far as I know, you wouldn't connect S/PDIF to your video card... it should go straight to your audio equipment.

The reason I need to try to S/PDIF through my vid card is when I use the HDMI input to the TV, I get no sound when I try the RCA audio with it. My best guess (after some troubleshooting) is that something about the video from my PC is telling the TV that audio should be coming from the HDMI cable, thus overriding the audio from the RCA cable.

More info about my problem is here.

To try it, I need to figure out if I can go off an internal S/PDIF from my mobo to the vid card, my preferred choice. If not, I have to find an external S/PDIF cable that I can then run into the case and connect to my video card. Either should get me audio on my HDMI, I believe, but I can't locate the internal SPDIF on my mobo (if it has one) or figure out where to get the cable!

 

[renethx]

What you need are:

- FRONTX RCA VIDEO / SPDIF - PANEL F TO 1X3 F; 18" is perhaps enough
- a PCI slot cover (remove one from your case)
- a coaxial digital audio cable; 1 foot is enough.
- KHS-02 nylon housing
- KHS-PIN/F2.00 female pin for KHS Housing

First remove the 1x3 header connector of the RCA cable and replace the two female terminal with two female pin for KHS Housing. Attach the KHS-02 nylon housing. Then build your own coaxial S/PDIF bracket using the RCA cable and the slot cover, and attach it to an empty expansion slot. Attach the KHS-02 housing to your video card. Connect the coaxial port on the rear panel of your mb to the coaxial bracket. That's it.

 

[bovinda]

Originally posted by: renethx
What you need are:

- FRONTX RCA VIDEO / SPDIF - PANEL F TO 1X3 F; 18" is perhaps enough
- a PCI slot cover (remove one from your case)
- a coaxial digital audio cable; 1 foot is enough.
- KHS-02 nylon housing
- KHS-PIN/F2.00 female pin for KHS Housing

First remove the 1x3 header connector of the RCA cable and replace the two female terminal with two female pin for KHS Housing. Attach the KHS-02 nylon housing. Then build your own coaxial S/PDIF bracket using the RCA cable and the slot cover, and attach it to an empty expansion slot. Attach the KHS-02 housing to your video card. Connect the coaxial port on the rear panel of your mb to the coaxial bracket. That's it.

Thanks for the suggestion, Renethx. All right, let me see if I've got it, it sounds like a cool little project: I'm basically making the connector by getting the FrontX cable, and switching the end it comes with with the one that will fit on my video card. It's like making a port on the back of the PC for the SPDIF in of my video card, which I can then connect to the SPDIF out of my mobo. Right?

I think I only have one questions about that - what's involved with switching the ends of the FrontX cable - is that difficult? I have no experience with cables. Any idea what kinds of tools I'd need for it? I'd like to give it a shot, since it seems like I can't find one of these cables anywhere, and making it would be fun (if I can get it to work).

 

[renethx]

A drill (make a hole for RCA terminal in the slot cover), a screwdriver (attach the RCA terminal), a long nose pliers and a utility knife are enough. (If you have a tool kit, it's even better.) The only difficult part is peeling insulation off the end of the wire (use the knife; easier if you use a wire stripper) and attaching a female terminal for housing to it (use the pliers; a special tool for this task is also available though).

 

[bovinda]

Thanks, I think I'll give it a shot...may post back if I have questions, though...thanks!

 

[jvnk]

Originally posted by: bovinda

Originally posted by: jvnk
Any cable will do to connect it to your audio setup. Just grab an RCA cable(or any cable that fits) to bridge the connection.

And as far as I know, you wouldn't connect S/PDIF to your video card... it should go straight to your audio equipment.

The reason I need to try to S/PDIF through my vid card is when I use the HDMI input to the TV, I get no sound when I try the RCA audio with it. My best guess (after some troubleshooting) is that something about the video from my PC is telling the TV that audio should be coming from the HDMI cable, thus overriding the audio from the RCA cable.

Ah, forgot to mention that bit eh Sadly I know next to nothing about HDMI setups. So good luck. What renethx said sounds promising.