Modding older consoles for Digital S/PDIF audio?

[brendanraymond]

http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:saturn_sp_dif

Thats a really basic outline of the chip to be used... if there is anything you're unsure about, just lemmie know



Thats the diagram for the coax out. just 2 resistors simply.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Where would I get the encoder chip from? Is it common enough that I can just go by Radio Shack and grab one for a buck?

[brendanraymond]

unfortunatly they arnt that common. best place to get them is from ebay china. you can also get your dip mounting board from there too. its only a few dollars each and the postage is only a couple of dollars too.

I'd go through the datasheets first just to make sure its compatable. I would hate to see you put it all together all excited when it wont work but its not like the "MAGI Super-Computer System" calculated only a 0.000000001% chance. I'd say your chances are better than that

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

unfortunatly they arnt that common. best place to get them is from ebay china. you can also get your dip mounting board from there too. its only a few dollars each and the postage is only a couple of dollars too.

I'd go through the datasheets first just to make sure its compatable. I would hate to see you put it all together all excited when it wont work but its not like the "MAGI Super-Computer System" calculated only a 0.000000001% chance. I'd say your chances are better than that

You just made my day with that EVA reference.

(EVA megafan who's even met a few of the actors and people who worked on it. GO SPIKE SPENCER!)

Anyhow, I guess I'll get to checking everything out and see where I could get one the easiest.

[SGGG2]

I hope I'm not derailing this thread, but where can I buy the internal optical connector needed for these mods and what the hell is it called?!? I can't find friggin anything!

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Just head on over to digikey and choose from their huge selection of connectors to fit any application.

Here are their TOS-LINK (AKA optical) transmitters:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... ?Selection

For COAX audio via RCA connectors just go to RadioShack and get a standard panel mount RCA jack. For the SNES and Genesis I plan on going with COAX sticking it in the existing hole for the original RF jack whenever I get around to it. That way it looks very clean and like it's stock to the system.

[Jamisonia]

What do you gain from adding S/PDIF? I'm aware one is digital, one is analog, but since its not encoded in any surround format like DD or DTS, does it really improve the quality of stereo that much?

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

What do you gain from adding S/PDIF? I'm aware one is digital, one is analog, but since its not encoded in any surround format like DD or DTS, does it really improve the quality of stereo that much?

It's not to get multiple channels it's to get the cleanest and clearest sound possible.

For example the Genesis is famous for it's horrible ground loops. Ground loops cause the buzzing sound you hear in audio from poor sources and the genesis has badly designed shielding that only makes it worse. A digital tap straight from the source eliminates all the noise and makes for crystal clear audio in a large home theater setup where audio defects are easily noticed.

[SGGG2]

Okay, I have all the parts to mod my Dreamcast and Saturn, but I'm confused about "inverting the signal"? on pins 3 to 12, and what capacitor to add as per the following link:

http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:dreamcastda

Can someone shed some light on this?

[brendanraymond]

you'll just need a hex buffer to invert the signal IIRC.

I'll get back to you later tonight. abit busy atm