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SPDIF cable


 :
5/5/1999 11:14 AM
Carlo
 SPDIF cable
Anyone know what kind of coax cable should be used to make a SPDIF cable?  
 
Carlo
  
5/5/1999 8:08 PM
Steve A.
Carlo:  
 
    If you are talking about the cable with the RCA phono plugs (all of those acronyms throw me for a loop!) I believe that you get the best results using a cable that is rated for a video signal (like for hooking up VCR's). But then other people say that plain old audio cables work just fine. I believe that if you use a high quality shielded cable you'll be just fine.  
 
Steve Ahola
  
5/5/1999 8:51 PM
Carlo
Thanks Steve. It does have RCA phono plugs. I believe, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, SPDIF stands for Sony Philips Digital Interface Format. Of course, like usual...I may have just made that one up myself. = ^ )  
 
Carlo
  
5/7/1999 12:57 AM
Warren
Carlo,  
 
I do alot wiring for studios and we've been using RG-59 video cable for hook-up. SPDIF specifies a 75 ohm cable. (For AES/EBU signals use 110 ohm). Belden, Canare, and Mogami, (my personal fave--so easy to use!) all offer great cables in various price range.  
 
Also, use gold plated RCA connectors. They're worth the extra couple of bucks if your serious about the audio quality.  
 
The reason its necassary to use the 75ohm RG-59 instead of regular RCA cables is that, unlike audio, which frequency response is lost with cheap or dirty cables/connectors, digital is much more delicate.  
 
Although your won't readily hear jitter and error noise as easy as hearing muffled highs, you are losing actual data. And when things finally do break down enough you start to get drop outs, clocking problems, or those really annoying clicks and pops that make your monitors jump up and down.  
 
There's new specifications for digital that were just implemented recently that allow you to use the same wire for AES/EBU and SDIF signals, but I don't recall off hand exactly how it works.  
 
And yes SPDIF does stand for Sony Philips Digital Interface Format.  
 
Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you have any more questions.  
 
Warren
  
5/8/1999 8:57 PM
Carlo
Very helpful. Thanks Warren.  
 
Carlo
  

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