The S/PDIF Dilemma

Standard TOSLINK connector

These days a lot of consumer-grade CD players and LaserDisc/DVD players come with an optical digital output also known as the S/PDIF out with a TOSLINK connector. I have always wanted to connect this optical output to my computer so I can grab sound clips directly off of a CD or LD. The obvious solution is to get a sound card that can accept optical S/PDIF. Unfortunately, the little TOSLINK connectors are expensive and hard to get. I can only find a couple of cards out there that has the TOSLINK built-in--namely the Zefiro ZA2 and Lexicon Studio System with the LDI-12T interface. Most manufacturers opt to go with the coax S/PDIF.

The coax S/PDIF uses electrical signal--instead of optical signal--to transmit audio data. This also means that manufacturers can use the less-costly and more ubiquitous RCA connector. KORG 1212 I/O, Digidesign AudioMedia III, E-mu Audio Production Studio, Ensoniq PARIS, Emagic Audiowerk, and Event Eletronics Layla, just to name a few, all have coax S/PDIF interfaces.

So how do we go from optical to coax S/PDIF? I saw a great little product at Winter NAMM '98. The CO2 from MIDIMAN can convert optical S/PDIF to and from coax S/PDIF. In fact, both digital outputs are always active. It can also double as a repeater to extend the of your coax S/PDIF equipiment. The price? About $80 list. It should be available in March or April.