Windows 10 hardware for SPDIF capture of raw AC-3/E-AC-3 bitstreams?

[goemon]

Is there any hardware that supports SPDIF capture of raw AC-3/E-AC-3 bitstreams in Windows 10?

i am not looking simply for a device that captures pcm audio over spdif. Any card can do that.

In order to capture SPDIF of raw AC-3/E-AC-3 it must support spdif capture when PCM_NONAUDIO and/or VALIDITY channel status bits are set.

so far, all tested devices mute input when either of these bits are set, therefore blocking non-pcm bitstream capture.

Confirmed not working:
Esi Audio U24 XL: NO
minidsp: NO
Creative Labs X-Fi: NO

[JReiginsei]

Are you using the U24 XL official drivers? I read somewhere at hydrogenaudio that the default MS drivers have working SPDIF.

[goemon]

got confirmation from ESI support today, the U24 XL does not support non-audio capture at all. changing drivers will make no difference.

the search for capable hardware continues...

[goemon]

got confirmation from minidsp technical support that none of their products support non-audio capture.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Many years ago I had a Creative Technology product that offered the ability to capture audio via SPDIF (optical or coaxial).

Perhaps they have some software/drivers...

[Midzuki]

Many years ago I had a Creative Technology product that offered the ability to capture audio via SPDIF (optical or coaxial).

Perhaps they have some software/drivers...

The last I checked (1.5 years ago), yes, there is an X-Fi driver for Windows 10 specifically.

(OTOH + OT): Windows 7 requires the Windows 8.1 driver for proper detection and use of the "What-U-Hear" recording device.

[goemon]

I can confirm the creative labs x-fi mutes non-audio input.

i am not looking simply for a device that captures spdif. it must support spdif capture when PCM_N and/or VALIDITY channel status bits are set.

so far, all tested devices mute input when either of these bits are set, therefore blocking non-pcm bitstream capture.

ESI U24 XL: NO
minidsp: NO
Creative Labs X-Fi: NO

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi @goemon

Came across the following 'old topic' earlier today: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/26-home-theater-computers/1121367-inconvenient-truth-about-spdif-input-4.html#post19968495

[goemon]

Hi @goemon

Came across the following 'old topic' earlier today: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/26-home-theater-computers/1121367-inconvenient-truth-about-spdif-input-4.html#post19968495

yes, i read the entire thread beginning to end. nothing useful there. you can see my responses in the thread.

[Midzuki]

Hummm, thanks for making things clear enough.

Now, one question...

¿HOW are you trying to send "raw" AC3 /EAC3 streams into those AUDIO devices you tested? :confused:

Because SPDIF is meant to transfer 'pure' uncompressed audio OR lossy compressed audio through an LPCM audio "wrapper" (so to speak). An *actual* SPDIF stream can transport not only AC3 and DTS, but also MP2, MP3, and even WMA and AAC :scared:

Therefore it is expected that an audio card or something similar will reject any SPDIF signal that it does not recognize as 2-channel LPCM audio...

[goemon]

Many devices can originate AC3/EAC3/DTS over SPDIF.

Xbox
Playstation
DVD Player
CD Player (with DTS CDs)
PC

Some audio cards can capture raw bitstream and some even capture user data block. But so far, none in windows 10 it seems. Only old PCI cards in e.g. windows XP.

I recently created spdif debugging device with WM8804 and arduino, so i know what's being sent. Unfortunately it seems WM8804 doesn't let me modify channel status bits, despite datasheet saying it does.

[pandy]

XMOS based devices in theory should be able to record bitstream... (S/PDIF is implemented as software so no restrictions on bit level) not sure if some ready to use solution for Windows 10 exist. I would dig some XMOS related forums.

And as last resort you can always record S/PDIF trough logic analyzer (those simple/cheap USB logic analyzer like Saleae and his clones http://www.ebay.com/bhp/usb-logic-analyzer ) , later S/PDIF parser can be used https://github.com/pfrench42/saleae_spdif
Perhaps not the answer you expected but... IMHO at least you should give a chance (cheap and no issues with DRM).

[coolfdu1]

Hello.
I'm a seller on eBay.
I do sell devices that allows to capture spdif stream, including dts & DD.
Device name: Phiree U2SX.
https://www.ebay.com/str/theeverdrivestore

I do have 2 in stock.
Regards.

[goemon]

Hello.
I'm a seller on eBay.
I do sell devices that allows to capture spdif stream, including dts & DD.
Device name: Phiree U2SX.
https://www.ebay.com/str/theeverdrivestore

I do have 2 in stock.
Regards.

this device is output only, capture is not supported.

[coolfdu1]

Hello. I can assure you it can capture Dolby or DTS stream. I use the Phiree U2S (not U2SX, not sure if it makes a difference). There's one toslink/optical in, on the (micro)usb side, and an optical out, on the coaxial side. If you don't record with it, it can passthrough audio from Optical to Coaxial, or Optical to Optical. You need to adjust recording frequency/sample rate in Windows audio panel, in the recording tab, to 16 or 24 bit/48 khz. You also need to use a bitstream accurate/perfect recording tool, like Sony Soundforge, or Reaper. Then, you need to use a software, like BeSplit, to convert (AC3)Wav to AC3 file.

My new ebay store:
https://www.ebay.com/str/retroeverdrive

I recommend Sony SoundForge 9 instead. You will also need Asio4All...

https://www.videohelp.com/software/Besplit

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=146873
BeSplit -core( -input input.wav -prefix C:\USERS\YourNAME\Desktop -type ddwav -fix )

*Edit:*
I'm selling the unit which have a toslink input on the micro usb side, not like the *new* U2SX units. I will add listings in my ebay store.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-audio-Converter-Coaxial-Optical-into-PCM-AC3-DTS-Source-Output-Phiree-U2SX/114171898547

[goemon]

*Edit:*
I'm selling the unit which have a toslink input on the micro usb side, not like the *new* U2SX units. I will add listings in my ebay store.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-audio-Converter-Coaxial-Optical-into-PCM-AC3-DTS-Source-Output-Phiree-U2SX/114171898547

i ordered this june 8... still haven't received it. what's up?

[goemon]

filed an ebay dispute and they closed it in my favor. you had plenty of time to ship, plenty of time to respond, and you failed to do either.

[coolfdu1]

Goemon, you will get your item anyway, it was shipped. The mail system is just full of crap right now. And I'm stucked at hospital, I can't reply to my mail that much. Regards.

[goemon]

august 1. still received nothing.