Optical Questions

[fowen]

I use Windows MCE and record TV from my digital cable box. I am currently using Monster RCA cables to get the sound from my cable box to my computer but for some reason I get quite a bit of feedback when I am playing back the recorded TV and only when I watch TV.

My cable box also has an Optical out connector so i figured I would get a new card with an Optical input that should solve my feedback problem.

I have a Soundblaster Live! card with the Live! IR Drive on the shelf but I would rather not put the drive with the optical in/out in the front of my computer and then have to run the cables to the front of my machine.

I was thinking about getting the Turtle Beach Catalina but I haven't been able to find any reviews on it. Anyone know anything about this card?

I was also thinking of getting a Creative Audigy with the external live drive but I am not sure what benefits this would give me over the other two cards. This would be the most expensive option.

-----

My next question is should I use Optical out to connect into the Z-5500's? Would this benefit me at all?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you get some optical cables, make sure you don't spend too much. (monster)

I don't record tv so I'm not sure about your problem, but sometimes these sort of things might be caused by ground loop problems. (If you google it you should find some info)

There's several big threads about the z-5500s like this one that will have a lot of info about different connection types and advantages/disadvantages.

Do you do any gaming on this setup, or is it just movies/tv/music?

 

[fowen]

My gaming is very minimal especially since I got the 2405FPW. I played a little DOOM 3 and a little StarCraft every once in a while, but other then that it is just movies/TV, web, general crap.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Hmmm.... what about this digital I/O add-on for the SB Live! series?

(goes in a PCI slot in the back of your computer, not a front drive)

 

[HDTVMan]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
If you get some optical cables, make sure you don't spend too much. (monster)

I don't record tv so I'm not sure about your problem, but sometimes these sort of things might be caused by ground loop problems. (If you google it you should find some info)

There's several big threads about the z-5500s like this one that will have a lot of info about different connection types and advantages/disadvantages.

Do you do any gaming on this setup, or is it just movies/tv/music?

Agreed sounds like a grounding issue. And Monster is over-rated and over-priced.

You have to make sure your recording software will allow you to record from the Optical imput. Most wont. Most only allow 2 channel. Check that you can.

Optical In on a PC. Pricey route I would imagine.

Cheap Optical cables. www.lik-sang.com
Work great.

I would just solve the ground loop issue and work from there. Could also be RF interfearance. Try moving the cable to a different patch away from anything electrical.

 

[fowen]

I will check out the grounding issue and see if that will change anything.

I also didn't think about the recording software not support Optical in. I am currently using Windows XP MCE 2005, Ill have to do some research into that.

Thanks for the responses!

 

[fowen]

I have been looking into the ground loop issue and I have a question.

My cable box is only a "two prong" power cord. Could this be where my ground loop is coming from?

 

[fowen]

I found this on a site and think it may be the core of my problem.

"Usually the the real trouble maker in your system is the connection to the cable TV system. The antenna connector shield is grounded typically in the equipment to same point as all the audio inputs (equipment case), but the other end of antenna cable can be grounded to the common ground with the mains ground somewhere quite far away. When there are multiple ground paths they are virtually never at the same potential and therefore some current will flow through your equipment grounds often causing the hum you are experiencing. "

http://www.epanorama.net/documents/groundloop/audiosignal_grounding.html

The humming only occurs when I am recording from my cable box. Does anyone have any ideas on how this can be fixed?

 

[fowen]

Anybody?