Need help with Toslink cable

**verbal kent** · 02-13-2006, 10:00 PM

I just received my PXA-H701 today, and I need to order a toslink cable but am not sure exactly what I need. Let me make sure that I have this correct. I am going to connect the SPDIF output on my M/B to the 701. So, I need a toslink cable that is coaxial connection on the M/B end and optical on the 701 end, right? Also does anyone have a good recomendation for sourcing these cables. Please excuse my stupidity.

Thanks
Todd

**nkotch** · 02-13-2006, 10:30 PM

If your mobo and that audio unit don't have the same sort of digital connector then you will need a converter to go from Toslink optical to Coax digital (can't find the link right now but google it). From reading the Alpine site it seems like it takes an optical digital input....but I can't tell from the picture, so just make sure. If they're both optical (mobo and alpine unit) then unless you are friends with a home audio/video dealer there any home electronics store will do. Ask around with friends as there's a big markup on a/v cables.

If you need a coaxial digital cable (RCA) then you can use a 75ohm video cable or make your own with some plain RG-6 quad shield then just put a couple connectors on it. Don't spend a lot of money on "special" Coaxial Digital cables.

**3onDubs** · 02-14-2006, 12:08 PM

I have the same setup as you. I am going from the SPIDF out on my via epia to the optical in on the H701. You are going to need a coaxial to optical converter. This is the cheapest one that you are going to find: http://cgi.ebay.com/COAX-COAXIAL-to-...QQcmdZViewItem

It will run you $22 after shipping. Along with that converter you are going to need to purchase two cables: a digital coaxial cable (minimum length of 3 feet for sound purposes) and an optical audio cable. You will connect the coaxial cable to you mobo and the converter. You will connect the optical cable to the converter and the H701. You will then use the setup menu on the controller for the H701 to select which optical input you chose so that the H701 can know where to expect the signal (i.e. I used the first optical port on the H701, so I selected Optical 1 from the input selection screen under the setup menu....u get to the setup menu by pushing the setup button on the C701).

The only other thing you are going to need to do is power the converter off of a 9V power source (the converter says it needs 6V, but this is not accurate...it needs at least 9V). I powered mine directly off of the H701's power line which feeds off of my car battery. I am basically giving it 12V in idle and 14.4V when my car is on and the converter works fine this way (it's easier than trying to build a 9V regulator and it works fine).

After that, you will need to use the tutorial on the via epia website that teaches you how to set up your mobo to output SPIDF instead of video and you are all set.

**verbal kent** · 02-14-2006, 01:54 PM

Thanks 3onDubs that was exactly what I was looking at. I just wanted confirmation from someone that had done it. I found the cables and the converter for $49 from a local electronics shop, so I will go pick it up tomorrow at lunch. Thanks again and hopefully I will post some results after this weekend.

Todd