Confused about SPDIF?

Question

I have a Diamond Xtreme Soundcard 7.1 PCI card that has a S/PDIF output jack. I assume it connects to the orange plug labeled "Digital Input, Coxial" in the back of my Yamaha receiver. Assuming this is the correct connection, do I need to buy a special S/PDIF cable to make this connection? Or can I use a regular cable with RCA terminations (you know, either red, white or yellow). In other words, is the S/PDIF cable different than the regular audio cable since they both have the same RCA type jacks? Thanks-

Answer 1

If I understand correctly, you have a optical spdif output on you sound card and want to use a the digital coax connector on a Yamaha receiver( do you have the correct optical connection?). Or you are unfamiliar with optical cables, as these are very popular in the US and Japan, but not so much elsewhere.

So first here is a link to an optical cable, this one being a pretty good brand, but any kind of this type will do nicely:

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=790

Second here is a link to a specific digital coax cable, video type cable will work, but the correct 75Ω cable for the audio transmission bandwidth is preferred, as a video cable represents a different impedance load to the audio range so in a performance application a video cable is unacceptable but in a budget theater is something to consider:

http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=150

Third here is a link to two transcoders, as these only work one way and will vary based on your application if you asked correctly you will need the first one in your application.


http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=504&sku=40019

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000J5ABAU?ie=UTF8&condition=new&tag=nextag-kitchen-mp-20&creative=380345&creativeASIN=B000J5ABAU&linkCode=asm


Now if you are asking if a video cable will work for digital coax the answer is yes. But I anticipate lots of thumbs down as I continue that you are better off performance wise with the specific bandwidth cable for PCM audio transmission in any application where performance is desired.

Answer 2

You need a Video cable (the yellow one).

The people who wrote the SPDIF specified a "75 ohm coaxial cable" - which is a common video cable.

Audio cables CAN be made with 75 ohm coax, but 50, 110 and even 300 ohm coax can also be used.

Answer 3

SPDIF can be either Optical or Coax (RCA). If it is an RCA type - then it is RCA to RCA, compatible with any RCA Coax connection.