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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: Chuck on April 11, 2010, 08:40:26 PM

Title: Coax SPDIF to optical out converter?
Post by: Chuck on April 11, 2010, 08:40:26 PM

What are you guys using in the field to convert SPDIF coax to optical out?

This comes up when I did an online search:
http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-Coaxial-Optical-Converter/dp/B0002J2MV4

I can make a 5v battery pack for it.

What are you guys using?

Title: Re: Coax SPDIF to optical out converter?
Post by: Belexes on April 11, 2010, 09:21:35 PM

I had one of these at one time:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/391236-REG/Hosa_Technology_ODL_276A_ODL_276A_Data_Link.html

Title: Re: Coax SPDIF to optical out converter?
Post by: fozzy on April 11, 2010, 09:55:48 PM

The Hosa boxes have been proved to be bit perfect, some of the generic ones not so much.

The newer Hosa boxes do 24/96

Title: Re: Coax SPDIF to optical out converter?
Post by: Brian Skalinder on April 11, 2010, 10:07:44 PM

I used a Hosa ODL-312 for AES/EBU > optical.  Plenty of folks have used the ODL-276 (16-bit).  The ODL-276A (16/24-bit) is the successor.  There's anecdotal evidence suggesting many of the cheaper options are not bit-transparent.  My testing showed the ODL-312 was bit-transparent.  I think someone else tested the ODL-276 and -A as bit-transparent, too.  I vaguely recall they could be had for closer to $50 than $70, if you call and/or shop around.  Run a loooooong time on a 9v RC or li-ion battery pack, if memory serves.

Title: Re: Coax SPDIF to optical out converter?
Post by: Chuck on April 12, 2010, 08:12:51 AM

Thanks for the input guys.

Title: Re: Coax SPDIF to optical out converter?
Post by: SmokinJoe on April 13, 2010, 08:22:36 PM

I agree with the Hosa's.  I used the original ODL276, and I have the 276a, and the 312, and they work great.

I have one of the cheap "Gray box" ones I use on my living room stereo... allows me to feed my R4/laptop coax into the receiver's optical in.  It works, but it just feels like a cheap piece of plastic that would fail when you need it most.  I wouldn't use it as part of my main taping rig.

I've always run my Hosa's off a DVD battery, it draws next to nothing.

Title: Re: Coax SPDIF to optical out converter?
Post by: Charlie Miller on April 16, 2010, 11:48:33 AM

I have two of these (one in box never used). The one I do use works perfectly. Runs on battery and AC.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/196856-REG/M_Audio_9900_50746_00_CO2_Optical_and_S_PDIF.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/196856-REG/M_Audio_9900_50746_00_CO2_Optical_and_S_PDIF.html)

Title: Re: Coax SPDIF to optical out converter?
Post by: Chuck on April 16, 2010, 03:05:10 PM

Thanks for the input, Charlie.
I found one to use.