Connect PC with Surround receiver using SPDIF

[Macmaverick]

Hi all,

I heard about SPDIF to connect the sound card of my pc (realtek AC 97) with my receiver (yamaha 1400) to produce 5.1 surround sound.

1) How do I know whether the SPDIF out on my pc is optical or coax?
2) Which cable is suitable? How do the jacks look like? Of is there such a thing as a SPDIF cable that I can buy in a store?

Thx for letting me know.

Mav

[gircobain]

http://www.usn.ru/upload/catalog/40001736_44.jpg
The optical output is the first at the right side in the above picture. Actually you can see only the plastic cap to protect it from dust, once you remove it you will see the actual output. To connect it to a receiver, you should use a proper optical cable
Coaxial output uses regular cinch (RCA) connectors (the other connectors in the above picture). You can use regular A/V cables with it, though shielded cables are desirable. Also some cards (Soundblaster Live/Audigy series e.g.) have a P2 (3.5mm) jack for digital output; with those you have to use a P2/cinch mono cable
Some people say optical delivers better sound quality; personally i have been using coaxial for a while quite successfully and can't complain about the quality

[Macmaverick]

Thx for the advice, gircobain.
I connected my pc (SPDIF out) with my surround receiver using an OFC cable with 2 cinch connectors, I configured my sound card (realtek AC 97) to play the sound using SPDIF but I do not hear any sound, not even in stereo...
What am I doing wrong?

Thx
Macmaverick

[gircobain]

What is the audio source and what software are you playing it with?

[Macmaverick]

Originally posted by gircobain
What is the audio source and what software are you playing it with?

A DVD certainly in surround 5.1 (because this works on my stand alone player) played with power DVD 2.55

But in the meantime I noticed something else: is it possible that the SPDIF in/out on my pc does not come from the sound card but from the main board (MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD MS-6701)??? Could that be the reason?

Thx

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by Macmaverick
...I connected my pc (SPDIF out) with my surround receiver using an OFC cable with 2 cinch connectors... Just to make things clear....

Are you connecting from your sound cards, electrical (RCA/Phono/Cinch) output connector to your receivers, electrical (RCA/Phono/Cinch) input connector? The lead should only have 1No RCA/Phono/Cinch plug at each end of the cable!


Cheers

[gircobain]

Originally posted by Macmaverick
A DVD certainly in surround 5.1 (because this works on my stand alone player) played with power DVD 2.55

But in the meantime I noticed something else: is it possible that the SPDIF in/out on my pc does not come from the sound card but from the main board (MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD MS-6701)??? Could that be the reason?

Thx
If you have both onboard and pci sound card, both enabled, make sure you select the appropriated output device to get spdif out on playback
In multi-purpose players like BSPlayer and Media Player Classic you are able to switch between several output devices
Don't know about PowerDVD - I use MPC for DVDs

[keithmac]

I THINK you have to buy a plugin for PowerDVD to play the proper 5.1 sound, just had a look on there website. The program`s up to version 5 now.

[SeeMoreDigital]

If any of you want to test your DolbyDigital (and other codecs) 6Ch software/speaker set-ups. I have some test encodes on my web site you can try!


Cheers

[Macmaverick]

Originally posted by keithmac
I THINK you have to buy a plugin for PowerDVD to play the proper 5.1 sound, just had a look on there website. The program`s up to version 5 now.

Small correction on my previous posts: the version of powerdvd I use is 4.0

But it doesn't change much, I'm afraid. I'm still unable to produce any sound from my receiver :(

[SeeMoreDigital]

There are other software players you can install/use to test your PC's "digital audio" output!

I often use MediaPlayer Classic (v6.4.8.2). But remember to configure the output settings correctly: -

http://img8.exs.cx/img8/2764/SMD_MPC_Audo_Decoder.gif


Cheers

[Macmaverick]

Well, I installed MCP but the result remains: no sound to my receiver.
So, we know it's not the player. I keep on searching...
Thx anyway

[Macmaverick]

I got it!
I'm a bit afraid to admit it, but in the configuration of my sound card - the volume control to be more precise - the option "mute" was checked in the SPDIF department. :rolleyes:
I know, not very smart to overlook this, I wanted you to let you know. I do appreciate your time trying to help me out.
:thanks: from a guy feeling stupid

[SeeMoreDigital]

There are just too many options in a PC ;)