Digital Audio output from DVD-ROM

[timw]

Potentially stupid question:

What is the "digital output" for on the back of a DVD-ROM drive? I also have a "digital input" on my sound card (Soundblaster Live 5.1). These can be connected by a two-pin cable, similar to the "analog" one used to connect a CD-ROM to a cound card. This "analog" one is a four-pin cable and is the one I'm used to seeing.

My question is this, do I need this digital cable hooked up to experience digital sound? My DVD-ROM (Plextor PlexCombo 320A) and my sound card (Soundblaster Live 5.1) and my speakers (Creative 5.1 6-speaker dolby thingy) all support digital sound (I'm pretty sure anyways).

Right now I just have the analog cable connecting the DVD player and the sound card.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

Thanks

[cfitz]

My question is this, do I need this digital cable hooked up to experience digital sound?

No you don't. If you enable digital CD playback on your drives they will send the digital audio data over the same flat ribbon cable used to send all the other data. Check the properties of your drive in the device manager - you will find a check-box you can use to enable digital CD playback.

cfitz

[timw]

So would that be the same for DVD playback as well? The reason I ask is someone said that I might need this cable connected in order to enable Surround Sound. My main concern is for DVD movies, since I only watch them on my PC and I don't have a proper "home entertainment system".

[cfitz]

Yes, that would be the same for DVD playback. As for surround sound, you can't get surround sound through the analog connector, since it supplies only the two traditional left and right stereo channels. Of course, to enjoy surround sound you also need a sound card that supports surround sound and multi-speaker system hooked up to it.

cfitz

[timw]

Thanks again cfitz. I didn't think it was too important, because neither the DVD-ROM or the sound card came with the bloody cable, and I couldn't see myself bothering to try and find one somewhere.

[Robotnik]

I have never seen such a cable, but I would like to buy one anyway, even though it might be superfluous. Anyone know where I can get a digital audio cable, please?

[vbl117]

It's difficult to find them though they're costless ( 1 or 2 euros ? ).
Most of the time they are bundled with some soundcards with both 4 pins/2pins interface .
Most of motherboards with integrated audio only have 4 pins interface .
Some small retailers sell digital audio cable , sometimes some supermarket stores .
Internet , of course