Spdif?

BLEH! · **Memory**: 24GB @ 1600 @ 9-10-9-27

Just wandering if it's possible to run the audio from my "old" PC (Athlon XP, NForce2 chipset) to the soundcard of my "new" PC (specs left, Focusrite Saffire PRO40). If so, how would I do this?

Soundcard supports both SPDIF and optical in/out. I think the "old" PC is just out digitally.

Any help appreciated.

Ta

Pill Monster · 07-14-2012, 19:38 | posts: 20,520 | Location: NZ

Ah, me thinks you have an ABIT AN7 w/ Soundstorm....amirite?

You could if the new PC will decode DD. Why do you want to do this btw?

ROBSCIX · 07-14-2012, 20:02 | posts: 16,087 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

There are no onboards that I have seen or heard of that decode Dolby Digital through S/Pdif. There were a few cards many years back that would do it but I don't think it is possible now.
Does your focusrite support DD?

You can run an optical cable from the output of your old PC to the S/Pdif input on your new system. However you will be limited to stereo output.
If your Focusrite supports Dolby Digital decoding, you will be good to go but it is highly doubtful that it does.

Sorry for the good and bad news combo...

BLEH! · **Memory**: 24GB @ 1600 @ 9-10-9-27

@Pill Monster:
It's a Gigabyte GA-7NNXP (the top one). Not sure if the new PC can do DD, though it probably can with the soundcard (firewire one), as it can manage 9.1 surround sound somehow. Just wanna keep cable clutter to a min with the soundcard, and I have very few other uses for digital inputs (except the guitar POD maybe...?)

@ROBSCIX:
I think my card might be capable of decoding dolby digital. Stereo limitation is fine, I only have 2 speakers XD.

All in all, just want the easiest way of getting audio from the old rig to my speakers.

ROBSCIX · 07-14-2012, 21:57 | posts: 16,087 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

The simplest is using S/Pdif but you can also run the line out of your old PC to the line in of your new one. Enable the proper mixer paths and your good to go.

Mufflore · 07-14-2012, 22:04 | posts: 9,555 | Location: UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLEH!

I think my card might be capable of decoding dolby digital. Stereo limitation is fine, I only have 2 speakers XD.

Dolby Digital encoding isnt required for stereo via SPDIF.
SPDIF has enough capacity for high res stereo audio, it doesnt need to be compressed.
The only time you need DDL/DTS encoding is for 5.1 but its unlikely your soundcard will accept a 5.1 digital input stream.
My X-Fi wont, stereo in only via SPDIF.

Worth trying though if it states it can "decode" DDL.

ROBSCIX · 07-14-2012, 22:17 | posts: 16,087 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

Stereo is the format for S/Pdif transmission, the only way you get surround is to use the lossy encoders or passthrough.

I haven't seen any new cards that will accept and decode DD or DTS, some CL cards used to do it years ago but even if you had one of those older cards I am pretty sure the feature was killed because of DRM.

BLEH! · **Memory**: 24GB @ 1600 @ 9-10-9-27

Not sure what I'd be looking for. This is my soundcard:

http://www.focusrite.com/products/au...o_40/overview/

Mufflore · 07-14-2012, 22:57 | posts: 9,555 | Location: UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLEH!

Not sure what I'd be looking for. This is my soundcard:

http://www.focusrite.com/products/au...o_40/overview/

http://www.focusrite.com/products/au...pecifications/
No mention of DDL.

It only says

Quote:

Digital Channel Inputs (Inputs 9-18) 44.1-96kHz
• Stereo S/PDIF input on RCA
• 8 ADAT inputs on Optical Connector, reduces to 4 inputs at 88.2/96kHz • Optical input can be switched to S/PDIF 3/4 in software preferences (ADATs disabled)

ROBSCIX · 07-15-2012, 00:27 | posts: 16,087 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

Dolby Digital decoders on the digital input is NOT a common feature and I doubt you can find it at all these days.

BLEH! · **Memory**: 24GB @ 1600 @ 9-10-9-27

Is the optical/spdif out meant for sending audio to hifi amps or something then?

ROBSCIX · 07-15-2012, 00:50 | posts: 16,087 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

Just meant for transferring the audio signal as it can be connected to any number of devices. Such as DAC's, digital monitors, digital mixers, receivers..etc...

BLEH! · **Memory**: 24GB @ 1600 @ 9-10-9-27

That's all I want it to do really, send the audio signal from the "old" PC to the soundcard. Not bothered about it going into the "new" PC, i ain't gunna be recording it.

ROBSCIX · 07-15-2012, 02:15 | posts: 16,087 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

You should be fine but you are limited to normal stereo operation.

BLEH! · **Memory**: 24GB @ 1600 @ 9-10-9-27

So just jam an optical/phono cable from the output of my "old" rig to my soundcard and hopefully it should output audio?

Mufflore · 07-15-2012, 11:45 | posts: 9,555 | Location: UK

You will have to monitor the input as well otherwise it will only be available for recording and you wont hear it.

ROBSCIX · 07-15-2012, 15:35 | posts: 16,087 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

The "phono" cable you are talking about is called a "Coaxial" cable.
Anyway, yes, connect them up with a digital cable and set the mixers on both systems and you should have sound.

BLEH! · **Memory**: 24GB @ 1600 @ 9-10-9-27

Cheers guys. I'll give it a go when I can get the cables (tomorrow).