Picking out a soundcard

[Bill]

Hey folks,

I recently just got a new TV and want to run audio over my HDMI connection from my video card to my TV. Here is the video card I have:

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

Now, inside the box came a SPDIF wire. I understand that with Nvidia cards, you have to use this cable to connect it to your soundcard to get audio. My motherboard's onboard audio isn't compatible with the wire.

The wire itself has 2 ends, along with a small white power connector. One end is a 2 pin connector and the other is 4 pins (1 ground, 1 empty, and 2 spdif).

Does anyone know of a good decent soundcard that will take a connection from a 2pin SPDIF wire?

Thanks a lot!

-Bill

 

[fireberd]

Why not just get a Video card that has the audio for the HDMI built into the Video card. That eliminates any additional cabling, etc. I have an ATI Radeon HD4850 Video card and it has audio on the video card for the HDMI output.

 

[stormy13]

Now, inside the box came a SPDIF wire. I understand that with Nvidia cards, you have to use this cable to connect it to your soundcard to get audio. My motherboard's onboard audio isn't compatible with the wire.

The wire itself has 2 ends, along with a small white power connector. One end is a 2 pin connector and the other is 4 pins (1 ground, 1 empty, and 2 spdif).

Yes it is. You just need to figure out which of the two wires one the 4 pin end you need, the SPDIF header only uses two of its 3 pins (one ground and one that actually passes the audio).

Guide: 8800GT/9800GT/9800GTX Sound over HDMI (Now including Creative cards) - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net

 

[chev65]

You can find the SPDIF audio header on your board by scrolling about half way down the page in the link below. It's labled as AA. It looks to be at the lower left hand side of the board.

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/18128/eng/DX58SO_TechProdSpec.pdf

 

[Bill]

You can find the SPDIF audio header on your board by scrolling about half way down the page in the link below. It's labled as AA. It looks to be at the lower left hand side of the board.

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/18128/eng/DX58SO_TechProdSpec.pdf

Thanks for the link - I had checked the manual before -

"S/PDIF audio connector (1 x 3-pin connector) can be used for HDMI Video cards that do not work with the HD Audio header"

The cable that came with my video card only won't fit. Boo!

-Bill

 

[stormy13]

This the cable that came with your video card?



If so you can cut it to make it work, and if necessary move the wires from one spot to another (can be a little tricky getting them out, but can be done). Easiest would be to cut the jumper in half and have one wire in each half, then just need to connect it to two of the three pins on the SPDIF header (pretty sure it is pins 1-2); if it doesn't work reverse the two wires (or try pins 1-3, don't think it would be pins 2-3).

If worse comes to worse and you have at least 4 unused front panel connectors you can always just make a cable as shown in that link I posted previously.

 

[Bill]

This the cable that came with your video card?

View attachment 43986

If so you can cut it to make it work, and if necessary move the wires from one spot to another (can be a little tricky getting them out, but can be done). Easiest would be to cut the jumper in half and have one wire in each half, then just need to connect it to two of the three pins on the SPDIF header (pretty sure it is pins 1-2); if it doesn't work reverse the two wires (or try pins 1-3, don't think it would be pins 2-3).

If worse comes to worse and you have at least 4 unused front panel connectors you can always just make a cable as shown in that link I posted previously.

Right that is the cable. Where would the white connector go?

Thanks for the help!

-Bill

 

[Bill]

I actually decided a Western Digital Media Player would be better for my needs... went to my local Best Buy and picked one up! Thanks again for the help.

-Bill