[Solved] adapter available?

[berniel]

My apologies if I'm putting this in the wrong place, but couldn't see anywhere else that might be more appropriate.

 

I'm the proud new owner of a sound system billed as 5.1 and sure enough, there are 5 speakers and a sub. I got it because the spec said 'digital audio input'.

 

I want, though, to plug this into a SPDIF socket on my new 3D TV - but the 'digital audio input' arrangement on the sound system is Black/Green/Orange 3.5mm jacks!

 

Is there an adapter I can buy that will eventually help me to end up with an SPDIF connector? I'm thinking that there must be a common enough starting point (I hope!).

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, can you give me the make and model of your 5.1 system please, it might help.

However the digital input to it should be the orange connection for wired, however the black may also be an optical digital input, the SPDIF out of your TV, I hope is also optical if it is of the TOSLINK type.

 

If I can be sure that optical is at both ends, a simple optical cable is best, however if the black one is not an optical input, it will mean a SPDIF to wired converter, However there is a large range of different combinations for connecting one to the other, we just need to know if it is optical or not.

 

If you would like some technical information about what SPDIF is all about, have a look at these links. Some of it is a bit deep, but the general idea is there.

 

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/printpage/Everything-You-Need-to-Know-About-the-SPDIF-Connection/82

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPDIF

 

Nev.

[berniel]

Hello again, Nev

 

System is Creative A520 - from Asda!!. I can also tell you that the SPDiff connector on the TV is a coax (no square keyway on it.

 

I've been trawling around the net all day looking for solutions and even thought about an external sound card at one stage, but I don't know if that requires digital audio on the usb connector (the Digitex one)

 

I really appreciate you taking an interest in this and I hope I've given you the info you need.

 

Cheers

 

Bernie

[berniel]

BTW, I found that connecting each jack in turn to the headphone socket on the tv activated a different pair of speakers!

[Plastic Nev]

Connecting to the headphone jack will not give surround sound as that signal is not digital which SPDIF is. I haven't time right now to look into what that Creative system requires, but will do so tomorrow and be able to let you know better what is needed.

Also any chance of a look at that SPDIF output socket on your TV? Is it of the RCA type?

 

Nev.

[berniel]

Hello again, Nev

 

Thanks for getting back to me.

 

Yes, I know the headphone outlet won't give me surround sound, but it was a way to check out which was which on the speakers.

 

I can conform that the SPDiff output on the TV is an RCA type.

 

Thanks again

 

Bernie

[berniel]

Just had an email from eBay supplier I queried regarding the external soundcard he's advertising. He says I CAN use use USB as power source only. Piece of kit is USB External 6 Channel 5.1 S/PDIF Optical Sound Card Audio For PC Laptop Netbook. It's made by Digitex.

 

No harm in trying it, I suppose.

[berniel]

Sorry. Manufacturer is DigiFLEX!!

[Plastic Nev]

Please don't try that, it isn't needed unless the price is lower than this, and actually may not do what this will do.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-Optical-DTS-AC3-Dolby-to-5-1-Analog-SPDIF-RCA-Audio-Gear-Sound-Decoder-/290632471975

 

According to the specifications this will take the digital coaxial signal from you SPDIF output on the TV, then give the three outputs to the green, black, and orange analogue 3.5mm connectors you have from the 5.1 sound unit.

 

Nev.

[berniel]

Wow! Why didn't I spot this?

 

Price is a bit steep compared with the Digiflex unit (£11), but with that I need a coax/optical converter and a USB charger unit, a coax cable and an optical cable.

 

I'll cost it all out. but I'm inclined to follow your advice.

 

Thank you so much for taking the trouble on my behalf.

 

Cheers

 

Bernie

[berniel]

Thought I'd let you know, Nev, that I followed your recommendation and got a MAGNIFICENT result. Feel like I'm sitting in the local multiscreen every time I turn the tele on!

 

Thanks for your help!

[Plastic Nev]

Thanks for letting us know Bernie and good to know it has worked out well for you.

 

Nev.