XM PCR - background noise

**blazinlow** · 08-14-2004, 06:47 PM

Hey guys,

Just installed my XM PCR and Im having a problem with it. When I have the volume on the head unit at max level and the PCR software on mute, I can hear a slight high pitched noise. I can also hear this on the talk stations at moderate volumes also. Its not overwhelming to the point you cant listen to anything, but I know its there.

When I unplug the antenna, the noise goes away. I have the Terk antenna, but it does it with the antenna that comes with it.

I know its coming from the PCR somehow, when I mute the LINE IN on the sound card, the noise also goes away.

It does the SAME thing when I have it hooked to my home PC also.

I plan on doing the Optical Out mod...will this fix the problem?

**chut** · 08-14-2004, 07:05 PM

I'm having the same problem with mine, not overpowering, but annoying. I was considering the optical upgrade also. If you don't mind me asking, how will you connect the optical output from the pcr to the pc?
Peter

**blazinlow** · 08-14-2004, 07:29 PM

I will use a SoundBlaster MP3+ USB with Optical Input. I picked it up at Best Buy for $40.

Good to hear (well bad for us) that youre having the same problem. I thought my unit may have been defective.

**frodobaggins** · 08-14-2004, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by blazinlow

I will use a SoundBlaster MP3+ USB with Optical Input. I picked it up at Best Buy for $40.

Good to hear (well bad for us) that youre having the same problem. I thought my unit may have been defective.

Uh oh,

I don't believe you can route the optical input on those to playback,
only record, you may be SOL.

Frodo

**blazinlow** · 08-14-2004, 10:19 PM

Frodo,

youre absolutely right...Crap

from creative's site:

I have no sound while recording from SPDIF In with the USB Sound Blaster MP3+

The reason why you are not getting sound while recording from SPDIF In, is that the USB Sound Blaster MP3+ does not support SPDIF In or Line-In monitoring.

This means, you can only record the incoming SPDIF signal, however you cannot hear/playback the incoming SPIDIF signal at the same time.

Damn, so what now? What card can I get that will do this that wont cost me $100?

And will the optical output for the PCR fix my noise problem?

**chut** · 08-14-2004, 10:44 PM

how about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...DME:B:TB6:US:2

Im thinking about buying one.

**Zip-Lock** · 08-15-2004, 01:28 AM

Originally Posted by blazinlow

Damn, so what now? What card can I get that will do this that wont cost me $100?

I'm in the same boat now. I was thinking my Sound Blaster Mp3+ would be able to monitor optical in. Would the more expensive Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 NX support monitoring of the optical in?

**Zoltan** · 08-15-2004, 05:37 AM

How about one of these. Maybe a little expensive though.

UA-1D
Edirol makes a digital in/out audio capture device (USB).

OR: is there a way attach some kind of an in-line noise filter?

My problem is that my laptop only has one line-in and I plan on using a microphone for voice commands eventually. SO!!! if I want to use xm pcr AND a microphone, I need a second input.

Good luck. Let us know how it works out for ya.

**e_z_street** · 08-15-2004, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by blazinlow

and will the optical output for the PCR fix my noise problem?

The optical out mod on my PCR running through Audigy 2 NX got rid of the noise problem. I just happened to get a good deal on the NX at CompUsa pricematched to another store and applied a rebate, so got it for $60. I am still having a problem with the volume going to 100% after hibernate, but I just use the optical volume control for now. Good luck.

**blazinlow** · 08-15-2004, 10:14 PM

E Z - Thanks, just what I wanted to hear

Ive read other posts where a guy using Linux was able to make his MP3+ playback via the optical in...so Im assuming it must be the Creative Windows driver that prohibits this.

I noticed if you dont install the Creative software, it uses the Windows Generic USB Soundcard driver for the MP3+. If you go into the volume control and properties, it lists Playback, Recording, then Other, which says SPDIF. In this are Wave and Synth mixer properties. Will this playback? I dont have an optical source yet to try this.

If not, can the Driver be modified to do this? Or could you use a driver for the Audigy 2 that will make it work. I really want to keep my budget low on this XM project, the $40 for the PCR unit that I thought I was only going to spend has now turned into a $150 project ($40 PCR, $30 antenna, $40 Optical Mod, $40+ sound card)