SPDIF Cable Questions

[w0lf42]

I have a Pioneer DVD-106S and a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live. I noticed that there is a CD SPDIF connector on the sound card and a SPDIF audio connection on the DVD ROM.

I disconnected my 4 pin CD audio cable and replaced it with the 2 pin SPDIF. When I went to play a music CD, I got nothing.

I assume I'm either doing something wrong or the SPDIF connector does not replace the 4 pin CD audio cable.

Would someone mind explaining what the differences are between these two cables?

Thanks

 

[DaveSimmons]

Did you go into the SB level settings and un-mute the SPDIF-in? People often don't realize that Creative software defaults to muting some inputs to reduce noise.

 

[Erasmus-X]

The SPDIF connection theoretically gives better sound quality because the audio signal between the optical drive and the sound card is a digital bitstream rather than a traditional analog signal. You have to go into the Play Control under Advanced to turn the SPDIF slider on. Otherwise, your Live card won't let the signal through.

However if you use Windows XP, optical drive to sound card signal cables are not necessary. If you go under your optical drive's Properties, you can check the box that enables digital sound output. This signal will transfer over the IDE cable connecting your optical drive to the drive controller.

 

[w0lf42]

Thanks for the information.

I'll have to turn the digital output on via the SB settings.

-Mark

 

[Auric]

Some player software defaults to the PCI bus transfer method (via ribbon cable) or does not even provide an option, regardless of the OS setting. In the Surround Mixer, it is the CD Digital source that controls the direct S/PDIF cable method, not the S/PDIF source which is used for general digital input (usually with add-on brackets or bays). The PCI bus transfer method is shown as a Wave source, so you can distinguish which the player is actually using. Even if your chosen player will not allow using the preferable direct S/PDIF cable method, either digital method is of course better than analog.

p.s. DVD's will always use the PCI bus transfer method.

 

[RealGomer]

If I understand Erasmus-X correctly, I don't need any cables between my CD drive and thesound card if I select "Enable digital CD audio for this cd-rom device" under Control panel - System - Harware? I have a Cendyne 522452AX CD/RW and a Phillips 8432 CD/RW on my Dell and just bought a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 Digital card.