S/PDIF Modules not included in boards

[agnitrate]

I just recently got my new P4 rig up and running on my EpoX 4G4A+ motherboard and I was hoping to rig some optical sound from my new comp. I see that the motherboard has the ability to attach a S/PDIF module to it but one was not included with the motherboard and I cannot find anywhere to buy one online.

Has anybody else found this to be an issue? I have an Audigy Platinum drive that I could hook up if it came down to it but I would hate to have a wire connecting from the front of my computer. Even if the onboard audio uses more cpu cycles, I would hope the optical signal would help.

What are everybody's thoughts on this?

-silver

 

[cmdrdredd]

just use the soundblaster. it sounds better and optical doesn't even do surround in games to begin with ;-\

 

[agnitrate]

it sounds better and optical doesn't even do surround in games to begin with ;-\

I may be mistaken, but I was at my friend's listening to him play music via his optical cable. Is there some kind of limitation on the optical cable that I am not aware of?

-silver

 

[paralazarguer]

No. He's wrong. Optical can, and on the audigy, does carry a 5.1 signal.

 

[Pariah]

No, he's right. The TOS (and SPDIF) connection on all sound cards only carry a stereo signal. The only type of audio they can transmit with more channels is DD or DTS encoded material which are not sent as 5.1 discrete channels but one data stream, which games and music do not use.

 

[Mavrick007]

agnitrate, if you are using onboard sound and want to use an "optical" connection at the rear, get a CNR card that gives you the functionality of the onboard but gives you extra outputs. I think Hercules makes a cheap one for about $15 or less and that way you will find a use for the CNR slot.

I see on Newegg's site, they have a Hercules CNR card for $14 that has digital coax, and a card from Hercules that has digital coax, optical, and all the other connectors on it too for $21.