Using s/pdif...I have no clue.

Hi guys,

Can someone fill me in on S/pdif? What do I need to actually use it? I am completely clueless when it comes to this, for my knowledge is limited with computers and their audio ( I tend to focus on other things ). The DV2500t has it, but I have no clue on how to utilize it at all. I have a set of 5.1 surround speakers (Logitech... I forget the model, but they were cheap).

I know on my desktop it has the option for "2.1 - 7.1 sound ", or 2 to 7 speakers (note, it does not have s/pdif) with the Vista sound manager. My laptop doesn't have this option (it only shows 2.1 configuration, or only 2 speakers), however it does seem to be using the speakers (somehow...) when I plug them in. I'm so clueless its not even funny.

Any one has any advice?

Thanks in advance.

 

Any ideas?

 

Crispy,

S/PDIF is a digital format which is compressed and needs to be decoded by a Home theatre AMP. in order to use your speakers you need to switch your default sound device back to your standard audio.

Go to control panal then sounds then you should see a screen with 2 devices on it, one the S/PDIF the other your standard sound card. If you right click on it other one and set it as your default you should be able to plug your speakers into the standard output in your laptop and off you go!.

I hope this works for you, I kind of had to do this the other way around to get audio to work through my HDMI.

Andy

 

You're notebook's built in "sound card" is equipped with a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) which is the circuitry that converts the ones and zeros of digital audio, into waves of audible analog sound that a speaker can play and your ears can hear.

Basically, that's what a sound card is - a DAC with a computer interface (PCI, PCIe, USB, etc.).

But all consumer grade sound cards have cheapo 50 cent DAC's. If you want to bypass it and send the digital signal to a better quality *external* DAC for decoding, that's where S/PDIF comes in.

S/PDIF is just a serial digital bitstream of 0's and 1's. The protocol can run over optical fiber ("Toslink") or over Coax cable (with RCA ends). Audiophiles prefer Coax. S/PDIF is NOT compressed as RandySlim suggests above.

So basically, S/PDIF is a protocol for sending digital audio to an external DAC for conversion to analog.

I use the S/PDIF out on mine going to a Stello DA-100 external DAC. (DA-100 specs @ www.hifi500.com)

There's actually two types of digital interfaces. S/PDIF which is the consumer version, and AES/EBU which is the professional version. The difference is only in the protocol. All consumer equipment supports only S/PDIF while Pro gear supports both. This is beyond the scope of this discussion however.

 

The S/PDIF interface in my dv5000 is probably the same as yours. To my surprize, it is actually a mini-TOS optical output, not the more traditional electronic signal output. What this means is that there is a laser light behind the analog sound jack hole. (Take a quick look when you are next playing an MP3 file into the hole in the headphone jack and you should see a red laser light shining through sending the optical digical output signal.)
What you need to utilize this signal is a mini-TOS link 3.5mm adapter and an audio receiver sound system that has a Digital Optical (TOS) input.

Some TOS cables come with the adapter in the package. Mine was attached to the cable and clips over the end of the larger optical jack that inserts into the back of my receiver. I clip the 3.5mm adapter onto the end of the cable and insert it into the headphone jack of the laptop. With the other end plugged into my home theater audio system I can enjoy digital quality stereo sound.

Enjoy.

Red-3

(The one thing I have been disappointed with, however, is that the 5.1 channel output is buggy, and the sound drops out regularly when watching a DVD movie. Would appreciate it if anyone knows of a fix for this.)

 

Thanks guys for the advice so far!

Hm, from what it seems it is expensive to set up a Digital sound system. Those receivers are high >_< . Are there any cost feasible options for your every day college student ?

I tried 5.1 with my speakers (plugging the LR into the main, the SR SL into the optical, and the center into the mic) This configuration worked on my HP desktop which has basically the same sound layout it seems. And, if I remember correctly, on my DV6000T. However, I seem to only be getting 3.1 sound. Is there anything I need to configure? From what I see, Vista only sees/allows 2.1, and isn't letting me go any higher like on my desktop.

 

I may be wrong, but I think the sound system only allows 2.1 output, unless you're streaming a DTS or Dolby Digial 5.1 signal direct from a DVD through the S/PDIF into a receiver.
Some high end PC sound systems have a receiver box which allows optical digial input.
Honestly, though, the difference in quality of sound through analog and digital is only a concern for audiophiles and home theatre enthusiasts. I wouldn't worry about it in your situation.