SPDIF issues with USB Audio - Stuttering

[kane81]

Here is what I hav learnt about SPDIF and USB devices.....


http://forums.creative.com/creativel...cending&page=2

I think I have the same problems with SPDIF output.... here is what I have found so far.....

I have a Dell Laptop without optical out

I have an LG 5.1 Amp System. (Optical output works on this amp as I have my DVD player hooked up to it and have had HP hooked up too).

I also have a HP Laptop with SPDIF out.


Aim - Dell laptop doing SPDIF Optical to LG Amp


1) Brought a cheapo Sinovoice (intel chipset?) USB sound device with SPDIF optical output. Result very jerky sound. as if data is not being transimitted fast enough..... sent it back.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....MEWN:IT&ih=017

2) Brought SoundBlaster Digital MX USB device and hooked Optical out to my AMP. Result very jerky sound. as if data is not being transimitted fast enough again.

2.1) tried different optical cables, same thing.

3) Asked computer store to test, optical work for him on his coputer, so couldnt get refund.

4) Remebered my PC at home has SPDIF optical input, so did a test.

4) pulgged in Laptop SB usb optical into PC SPDIF in and sound comes out perfect..... then quickly switch the optical cable plug into the amp.... sound goes all jerky again.

5) figured might not be enough power for the laser? well I tried both at a distance and same results.... meaning it is not a power issue.
(tested by poking the port open and shinning the optical light on the sensor in the amp from a distance)

5.1) tried cleaning laser ends with ear bud, no change or difference.

6) must be my amp is slightly out of phase or the usb sound card is. Rang LG. The tech tells me he has had the same issues in the past and he can't fix it. there is no firmware update for the amp. he said some amps wont pick up the signal from computers at all,but they will from DVD players etc.... now in rock and hard place, who is not doing it right LG, or Creative and Sinovoice?

7) ok well if SPDIF optical from my PC and my HP laptop work, then there must be a chipset out there that will work.

8) broght a Zalman USB sound card that has optical and coax output.

9) cant get any laser to shine out of the optical port

10) tried coax and my amp picks up PCM.... however there is no sound output ....except the occasional 1/4 sec sound every min or so. Meaing this card is more out of sync that the other usb cards.

11) Conclusion - this card isnt going to work either, if coax is out, so will optical....


So either I replace my amp with a new one that will work with USB optical out, or I get a new laptop with SPDIF.

I'm going to try a few more usb sound card devices, and will let people know the result.


I can say that the Conexant (HP Laptop) and Realtek AC97 (PC) chipsets seem to do SPDIF optical out so that it works with my amp,
so hopefully I can find a usb soudn card that uses these chipsets.


I think the turtle beach one was intel based.... let me know how you go with it...

Cheers

Kane