spdif output hack to input?

[tsantsa]

I want to use my pc as a reciever for my xbox 360. Problem is I only have an output spdif. Is there a way to hack this into an input?

Additionally I have an old asus spdif card that plugs into a mobo. It says its an output but if I plug it into the input part on my mobo will it work? Well, I have to get an adapter I think. the card has a 4 wire plug connector (with 3 wires) and the mobo has a 3 wire plug. I know the pinouts of the mobo, if I were to match it up (power, ground, and spdif) you think I could use it? What about voltage concerns?

The mobo is a Gigabyte Ga-P35-DS3L

[redwudz]

[s:50e8ac923c]That motherboard apparently only has S/PDIF output. You can't hack that to a input as I imagine the hardware and MB firmware is missing. [/s:50e8ac923c] You could probably get a PCI audio card with S/PDIF inputs. Or there are adapters for S/PDIF digital audio to analog audio. One here: http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/audio-converters-extenders/analog-to-digital...dGEF00232.html

Most times S/PDIF is multiple channels such as 5.1 audio and you would be converting it to two channel stereo.

EDIT: I think I was incorrect and your motherboard does have a S/PDIF input header. One is shown in the Gigabyte Ga-P35-DS3L motherboard manual, PG 27.

SPDIF_I (S/PDIF In Header, Red)
This header supports digital S/PDIF in and can connect to an audio device that supports digital
audio out via an optional S/PDIF in cable. For purchasing the optional S/PDIF in cable, please
contact the local dealer.

Pin No. Definition
1 Power
2 SPDIFI
3 GND

It's just beside the S/PDIF output header, which is called SPDIFO. You just need a two pin connector, similar to the types that your front panel hookups use. Just hook that to a RCA jack installed in a PCI slot cover. The power connection is only used for a optical input to power the circuit. Not needed with coaxial (RCA type) S/PDIF in.

[tsantsa]

Thanks for the info, but regarding the coax, I'm trying to use the optical. I guess I should have been more clear. The xbox can only do optical spdif, not coax. or at least not as far as I have seen...

This is that asus bracket I mentioned above: http://www.powersonic.ca/images/sc/as-SPDIF-OPT.jpg

If I hooked it up to the input headers on my mobo, would it work correctly? Is there really that much difference between the in or out brackets like this other than to what they are connected to?

(I'm tryiing to get full 5.1 audio)

[redwudz]

I've got one just like that for one of my Gigabyte MBs, but it's only for output. For that the power wire is needed as there is a coaxial to optical converter in there that needs power. Coaxial and optical are both the same thing, optical just converts the signal to light and that board converts it back to a electrical signal. Either way, it's encoded, usually as Dolby 5.1.

If that's only a output adapter, then you need the input version.

[tsantsa]

Damn. Thanks tho. I was hoping to not have to spend a dime. lol