SPDIF: Internal Connection

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SPDIF: Internal Connection

Output & Connector

CD and DVD drives are often found with an output called SPDIF. Also in sound cards especially the costly ones, a connector is found labelled SPDIF. In professional sector where people like musicians and audiophiles use computers as a tool in audio field, the digital transference of audio data by SPDIF is admiringly welcomed. Digital transference make the audio immune from noise and so this admiration. The noise results because CD-ROM drive though reading the data in digital format has to convert it into analog audio signal for the basic reason that sound signal is analog. Also as there is analog format transmission between the CD-ROM drive and the sound card, noise is caused due to EMI within the computer. Often there is a SPDIF connection capability in the computer itself to eliminate this noise that remains unused due to lack of knowledge on part of the users and also the technicians assembling the computers.

SPDIF Connection

One can opt for SPDIF connection instead of using analogue connection if the sound card in the computer has SPDIF input and there is SPDIF output in the CD-ROM drive. This set-up allows analogue-digital (A/D) conversion within the sound card itself instead of in the CD-ROM drive. Setting up the SPDIF connection requires two wires and a small plug with two terminals. This can either be self-made easily or purchased readymade from specialized outlets.

Sound Blaster

Sound Blaster Live! is a sound card. There are on its upper part the 2-pin SPDIF connector for linking SPDIF to the CD-ROM drive. Under the 2-pin connector lies the SPDIF EXT connector used for connecting to the computer the external digital sources over a SPDIF connection. There are also motherboards with audio on-board having a SPDIF input for connecting the CD-ROM. This SPDIF input connector can be plugged onto an adapter for putting SPDIF external connectors on the computer.

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SPDIF: Internal Connection