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RE: USB vs Spdif format.

Posted by Roseval (A) on May 20, 2011 at 04:29:14

In Reply to: USB vs Spdif format. posted by mike tame on May 19, 2011 at 15:49:40:

As all our electrons are analoge, using them digital is a matter of detecting a change of state e.g. a rapid rise or a drop between e.g. 0 and 3 V.
No difference between USB, SPDIF or any other digital protocol, just a square wave.

The protocols are completely different.
SPDIF sends a real time stream. The sample rate is derived from the speed of this stream.
USB send packets of data, a quasi real time stream
The sample rate is derived from the amount of data pouring in.
In adaptive mode the DAC adapt its speed to the data rate
In asynchronous mode the DAC controls the send rate.

SPDIF allows for 24 bit / 192 kHz max
USB 1 24/96
USB2 32 / 384
Both are a kind of fire and forget, no retry, no guarantee of delivery.

The Well Tempered Computer

• http://www.thewelltemperedcomputer.com/Intro/SQ/USB_SPDIF.ht   (Open in New Window)

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