Quick Question - Audigy/Live Digital Out Converter?

obvious · Mar 28, 2007, 01:03 PM

To send compressed AC3 5.1 through an RCA lead do I need the breakout I/O module or is there a cheaper alternative such as a simple 3.5mm > RCA converter or something? I've got a Live! 24bit PCI card with the annoying 3.5mm digital out but no I/O module. I'd also consider picking up an alternative second hand card that has RCA S/PDIF out if that could be cheaper than spending �22 on the I/O module. Any thoughts welcome

**dj_stick** · Mar 28, 2007, 04:40 PM

first - be aware that your card will not encode AC3, but it may passthrough from pre-encoded sources

depending on what point (tip/ring/sleeve) of the output jack is the output, if it's the tip, then a simple 3.5 jack to RCA lead will do fine

obvious · Mar 28, 2007, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

first - be aware that your card will not encode AC3, but it may passthrough from pre-encoded sources

depending on what point (tip/ring/sleeve) of the output jack is the output, if it's the tip, then a simple 3.5 jack to RCA lead will do fine

Thanks

It's for passthrough from PC to external amp. So do Live/Audigy cards all use different points for the output?

**dj_stick** · Mar 29, 2007, 03:59 AM

most creative cards use tip =front out, ring1= rear out, ring2=center/lfe, sleeve-ground

but iirc, they changed the jack to support one input and one output, i don't know the new pinout (but it will either be the tip or ring)

obvious · Mar 29, 2007, 06:43 PM

Well I tried it and (bearing in mind it's vista as well) it's showing as S/PDIF-In

I dont suppose this would be software reassignable? I'm not averse to a bit of registry carnage. As it stands it looks like I've got digital-in when I'm after digital-out.

**dj_stick** · Mar 29, 2007, 08:25 PM

no, it will be hardware locked
what you might be able to do is use a stereo jack to 2xRCA cable, using the right (red) plug for output

obvious · Apr 1, 2007, 02:32 PM

It's all been a no go so far but thanks for the help.