Replacing an SPDIF cable

Discussion in 'Video Cards, Displays and TV Tuners' started by T4FF, Jan 14, 2010.

  1. T4FF

    T4FF Geek Trainee

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    Hi all, hoping you an help.

    I have an Asus EN9400GT GFX card which, for HD audio requires an SPDIF cable connected to the motherboard. I hadn't connected this initially and 6 months down the line I've moved to HDMI video output only to discover that I need this cable for audio and guess what? I can't find it!

    Trying to source a replacement is crazy, I've searched everywhere, I've contacted Asus - they don't do replacements / spares and there are very few leads in google.

    I've come across this connector - an SPDIF cable for optical drives to get digital audio, could this be used with my GFX card?

    Just wanted to double check...
     
  2. T4FF

    T4FF Geek Trainee

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    bump...anyone?? ;)
     
  3. edijs

    edijs Programmer

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    seems like no-one knows this for sure. Me too :D but that cable isn't that expensive and if I had a HDMI capable device, I would sure as hell try it :D

    Plus, if you say that google isn't throwing much at you, then just take it. I don't think that SPDIF comes in many flavors :D

    good luck.
     
  4. T4FF

    T4FF Geek Trainee

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    Oh it wasn't the expense of the cable I was concerned about, it was potentially wiring wrong and damaging the GFX or Mobo (the documentation for the GFX says if the cable is connected the wrong way round it can cause damage) so I'm being a bit cautious :p

    I've sent the question to the company supplying it to see what they say...
     
  5. edijs

    edijs Programmer

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    I guess that the main thing is not to get the + and - wrong :D , but sure - will be interesting to hear from the manufacturer.
     
  6. cleondnan

    cleondnan Guest

    you can also try RCA cable.
    I really prefer RCA cable over other cables.
    I m a hardware engineer and want to know about KVM switch. I just want to contact the administrator of this forum or any senior member to chat about 8 port KVM switches. I have a blog about KVM switches info and working on switches and cable technology from last one year.

    :cool:
    Kind Regards
    cleon dann
     
  7. T4FF

    T4FF Geek Trainee

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    :confused: Anways......

    Well I've heard back from the company and I've suggested that they have a quiet word with their stocking system :D Response from them was:

    I was obviously confused by the "in stock" comment on the page for this item on their website :chk: Think I'll just buy it and see how I go, will let you know if this is a suitable alternative....
     
  8. T4FF

    T4FF Geek Trainee

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    Just wanted to update you with this, I bought the cable....and it worked!

    Had some issues as the mobo has 3 sets of pins, the gfx card and cable only 2 and additionally, very little documentation anywhere to explain which is which. So I thought I would explain just in case anyone comes across this post and needs some direction....

    The two pins on the graphics card are SPDIF and GROUND.....NOT LIVE. Therefore, the cable needs to be connected to pin sets 2 and 3 on the motherboard NOT pin set 1 as they are the power pins and that will (as I've read on LOADS of posts) cause a shed load of smoke and a melted cable!!

    The cable I bought and the original cable have an arrow next to one of the wires, this is the SPDIF cable and should be connected to the pin on the GFX card with an arrow next to it - this then corresponds to pin set 2 on the motherboard.

    Hope this helps someone....
     

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