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Using SoundBlaster Extigy for Decklink SPDIF->analog audio monitoring?
We just switched our entire editing facility over to Blackmagic stuff, and everything works amazingly great.
The one hangup we’re having, though, is the issue of audio monitoring. We don’t need a fancy-schmancy expensive digital audio converter like the Flying Cow or whatever. We just need to be able to monitor audio in perfect sync with the SDI monitor-out on our Decklink Pro cards.
We went down to Circuit City yesterday and got a cheapo consumer Onkyo stereo receiver that has a coax SPDIF input, thinking we could plug our TAPCO powered speakers into its analog outputs. Turns out that the damn reciever will only allow SPDIF audio to be played out through it’s speaker outputs (i.e. the ones you plug speaker wire into), and NOT out of any of the other analog RCA outputs. My guess this is yet another stupid restriction to appease the hyper-paranoid recording industry, but it doesn’t help us one bit 🙁
I just read an older post here on the Cow regarding the use of the Creative Labs Soundblaster Extigy for monitoring SPDIF audio using the Decklink cards. I wasn’t clear on if the poster had actually used it successfully or not. All I want to be able to do is plug the Decklink SPDIF cable into a box, and be able to hear audio out of our external computer speakers (1/8″ minipin connector) or studio monitors (XLR connections–we’d need to use an adapter or run through a mixer first, obviously). We don’t do audio finishing or mixing, so perfect, audiophile perfection is not a large concern.
Oh yes, and we dont want to have to pay more than $100-$125 just to be able to hear said audio.
The Extigy *looks* like it has what we need, and they can be found on eBay for less than $50. But I’m concerned that–being a consumer device–it also has similar restrictions on how the SPDIF audio may be output. Does anyone have any real-world experience with this device?
I’d also welcome any other recommendations for SIMPLE and INEXPENSIVE SPDIF->analog conversion alternatives. The only caveat is that spending $300 for said alternatives is NOT an option.
Aloha,
mel -
7 Replies
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I presume that you will have sinc problems with soundblaster on long ( over 6 or over 12 minutes ) clips.
I have always have that problem with soundblasters with DPS PVR. Try to find some used dat recorder on ebay, like Tascam DA 20. They will do this conversion. ( I am using it for similar purpose for headphones, this tascam passes signal in rec mode without tape in it) Any way you have to pay something and you will end at last on flying cow or something ( but, with tascam you have dat player/recorder that you can also use.) -
[Igor] “I presume that you will have sinc problems with soundblaster on long ( over 6 or over 12 minutes ) clips.”
Why would I get sync problems with long clips? All the D/A conversion from the SPDIF input happens on the external Extigy box (I presume) and doesn’t even get sent to the computer (again, I assume).
Aloha,mel
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I am using My Audigy soundblaster card’s SPDIF in to listen to real time perfect sync audio from my Deck link Pro card. Works great.
Any audio card with SPDIF in should work as well.
Bill
Just remember… Chicken little only has to be right ONCE!
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I forgot to mention that I’m running Final Cut pro on a Macintosh G5. With a Radeon gfx card, PCI SATA adapter and the Blackmagic Card, there’s basically no room for another card.
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Sorry i didnt understand you. Just pass thru will definetly work like Testy says. I am PC guy so sorry if I misleading you.
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Mel,
I asked a similar question just a couple of days ago – i’m really happy with my edirols MA20’s
https://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_read_post.cgi?forumid=124&postid=854755
Paul
Freelance DS/Symphony
London -
have a look also at the Behringer Ultramatch 2496
works in 2 directions, nice for voiceovers, price approx 160 dollars
https://www.behringer.com/SRC2496/index.cfm?lang=ENG
You WILL still need a small mixer if you are using standard active speakers, just to control to volume level of your speakers. The volume control on most active speakers is just too far away to be confortable
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