From: Andreas Stemmer <Andreas.Stemmer_at_web.de>
Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 17:29:40 +0200

I know this is not really a rockbox related topic, but there are
frequent questions about the digital I/O. Perhaps we should add this to
the faq:
(Feel free to change anything if there's something missing/wrong/badly
verbalised)

Question:
74. There's a digital I/O connector on my jukebox. What is it good for?

Answer:
All jukebox models have a connector for digital audio ouput using the
common S/PDIF standard (Sony/Phillips Digital Interface). By using the
digital output in combination with high class external equipment, you
can get much better sound quality out of your jukebox, because you can
use better DA-converters and better amplifiers. The recorder and FM
recorder models also can record from digital sources. The digital inputs
don't have the 15kHz lowpass filter like the analog inputs and you are
sure to minimize the noise floor.
Generally, S/PDIF can be an electrical or an optical signal and there
are many devices that support both. There are even small 3.5mm sockets
that can take either an optical or an electrical cable. But the socket
on the jukebox is for electrical signals only!
If you want to connect your amp with digital input (RCA type) to the
output of your jukebox you need an adapter cable (3.5mm stereo jack to
dual RCA jack). Plug the 3.5mm stero jack into the digital I/O socket of
your jukebox and the red RCA jack (right channel) into the digital input
socket of your amp and that's it. You don't have to enable the digital
output. The sound settings on the digital output are always flat, your
volume, bass, treble, bass boost, loudness settings won't have any
effect here.
For recording digital signals, use the white RCA jack (left channel) and
plug it into the digital output of your CD player, MD player or
whatever. Don't forget to select digital input in the recording
settings.
If you want to connect devices with optical inputs/outputs, you need a
small converter box which converts your signal from electrical to
optical (for digital output) respectively optical to electrical (for
digital recording).
Received on 2003-06-03