S/PDIF digital I/O

[musicfan1234]

Hi i am looking at the Delta 44 sound card and it says this is for the user who does not need S/PDIF digital I/O. Thing is i have no idea what that means so i dont know if i need it or not. so i guess my question is what is S/PDIF digital I/O? And what is it used for?


Thanks,

Billy

[Garry Sharp]

Stands for Sony/Philips Digital InterFace, or something fairly close to that. Connects either via a co-ax (phono) or optical cable.

Many digital devices have it as a means of inputting and outputting tracks in digital format. So for example if you had an outboard processor (e.g. my Digitech GNX3 guitar multi FX board) with one you could record its output onto a soundcard with SPDIF capability without going theough the DA / AD loop.

Look around at the outboard kit you have or are likely to buy; if much of it has an SPDIF I/O then you might well consider a soundcard that can accept it.

More erudite replies to follow I'm sure

[Track Rat]

What Gary says is fairly accurate. The coax connection is on an RCA type connector but it is NOT a phono type cable like you'd use to patch a tape deck to an amp. It must be a video type 75 ohm shielded cable.

[Garry Sharp]

"It must be a video type 75 ohm shielded cable"

...as I discovered when I tried to use a normal cable