S/PDIF

[mattdhall]

It seems like all interfaces include S/PDIF and count this as a usable input. Why? Is there a huge array of musical instruments that have SPDIF outputs that I have failed to notice? The only thing I have in my house that outputs SPDIF is my DVD player.

[kslight]

2 channel pres/converters often have spdif...amp modelers also.

[chris harris]

High end stereo converters almost all offer digi I/o via SPDIF.

[jnTracks]

i have a pre that has a S/PDIF out routed into that input on my digi 002.

also some DAW monitor controller like, if i'm not mistaken, the presonus central station have S/PDIF input so it bypasses the converter in the 002 for the monitoring.

[JGriffin]

I know this is throwbacky, but a great many DAT machines have S/PDIF.

[lysander]

Are the optical ins and outs on most Apple computers also S/PDIF? I have a TOSlink cable that I use with my MBP sometimes -- is this S/PDIF?

[Bro Shark]

Are the optical ins and outs on most Apple computers also S/PDIF? I have a TOSlink cable that I use with my MBP sometimes -- is this S/PDIF?

No. SPDIF carries 2 channels of digital audio and resembles RCA in appearance. TOSlink carries 8 channels (at 44.1/48k sample rates) and has little lightbulbs on the end of the cables.

[richierichie]

PEDANT WARNING (sorry) - they don't have lightbulbs. It's an optical cable, so the source of the light is whatever the cable is connected to.

Sorry

[chris harris]

also, optical cables are capable of transmitting S/PDIF signals.

[kingmetal]

Are the optical ins and outs on most Apple computers also S/PDIF? I have a TOSlink cable that I use with my MBP sometimes -- is this S/PDIF?

No. SPDIF carries 2 channels of digital audio and resembles RCA in appearance. TOSlink carries 8 channels (at 44.1/48k sample rates) and has little lightbulbs on the end of the cables.

Actually it is SPDIF. The protocol can be utilized over toslink (optical) interfaces and most devices that support the 8 channel ADAT protocol that I've spent time with allow you to switch between ADAT and SPDIF communication protocols.

I doubt MBPs speak ADAT, so it's likely SPDIF.

I use SPDIF as the 'tape out' 2-channel mixdown output for my digital console. I've found lots of other uses for them and wouldn't buy an interface without one.

[JGriffin]

Are the optical ins and outs on most Apple computers also S/PDIF? I have a TOSlink cable that I use with my MBP sometimes -- is this S/PDIF?

No. SPDIF carries 2 channels of digital audio and resembles RCA in appearance. TOSlink carries 8 channels (at 44.1/48k sample rates) and has little lightbulbs on the end of the cables.

Actually it is SPDIF. The protocol can be utilized over toslink (optical) interfaces and most devices that support the 8 channel ADAT protocol that I've spent time with allow you to switch between ADAT and SPDIF communication protocols.

I doubt MBPs speak ADAT, so it's likely SPDIF.

Also, older devices tend(ed) to have either an RCA for S/PDIF or an opto for S/PDIF...I believe my Sonic Solutions DAW had opto S/PDIF, with no ADAT option (partly because Sonic spoke to DA88, not ADAT)

[Nick Sevilla]

It seems like all interfaces include S/PDIF and count this as a usable input. Why? Is there a huge array of musical instruments that have SPDIF outputs that I have failed to notice? The only thing I have in my house that outputs SPDIF is my DVD player.

One term comes to mind :

BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY.

With the "Sony / Phillips Digital Interconnect Format."

Which came about before ADAT.

Cheers

[Bro Shark]

I stand corrected!