Digital Sound Confusion

[Tomasz Woloszyn]

My motherbord has 24bit Digital Audio Interface (SPDIF) IN/OUT.

Do I need any card or special cable to send digital signal from motherbord (SPDIF) IN/OUT connector to digital connector on home theater system. If so where to buy those things.

I never use or see any cable that can connect digital output from CD-ROM to motherbord.

I know that one way to have digital sound output from PC is to buy SB Live! with digital output but it cost $160. I hope there is cheaper way to do so.

[Bleeding Edge]

If your motherboard has the 2-pin spdif connector, that means it has an onboard sound card, correct? It would be unlikely that it is an spdif-out. It's there to be used as a connection to the CD-Rom's digital audio out.

cd>spdif cable>motherboard spdif connector.

You can call CablesToGo http://www.cablestogo.com/ and order one or have them make you one if they don't carry it.

You can always call Creative Labs and ask for one. Just say you need one for the SBLive.

Or if you want digital out..

You can buy the SBLive for around $130 or get the SBL/Value and buy the hoontech digital daughter card http://www.hoontech.com/product/digitalIObrakets/SBLivebracket.htm and keep the cost to $100 or less. Or get a different make.

[Tomasz Woloszyn]

Thank you for your help. This link to HOONTECH CO., LTD is very useful.