Converting your SoundBlaster® Live Value (CT5830) to a SoundBlaster® Live 5.1 (SB0060) and getting S/PDIF I/O
Introduction:
I recently purchased a surround sound stereo system and wanted to connect my computer system to it. I knew there was a SoundBlaster® Live 5.1 with digital outputs and wondered if my SoundBlaster® Live Value was capable of producing digital output. My SoundBlaster® Live Value has a digital output connector on it but I was not sure what signals were on it, or for that matter, where I could get a mating connector for it. I noticed that in the User's Guide that there was an AUD_EXT connector on the card that had S/PDIF outputs and inputs. I decided to see if I could interface these to the outside world. I started searching the internet and came up with a lot of information on building an interface, and to my surprise, information on how to get Dolby® Digital out of my card as well. The following is what I did.
Conversion:
First, I converted my card to a SoundBlaster® Live 5.1 using information found here. The process was fairly easy for me since I am an electronic tech and I have all the equipment required, including a good soldering station which made the desoldering and soldering a breeze. I used the Realtek RTL8029x method for programming my chip, it was the easiest method for me since these cards are readily available used.
Interface:
Below is the pinout for the AUD_EXT connector on the SoundBlaster® Live Value where the S/PDIF I/O is located, the schematic for the interface, and a parts list. Portions of the schematic were borrowed from drawings found elsewhere on the internet. The pins I used are 1 and 2 for +5 volts, 7 and 8 for a ground, 15 for S/PDIF in, 17 for S/PDIF out (Front) and 23 for enabling the S/PDIF in on the mixer volume control. Pulling pin 23 high through a 4.7k ohm resistor tells the SoundBlaster® Live cards that a LiveDrive® is connected (I think), enabling the S/PDIF input in the mixer volume controls. It may enable or change the other things in the cards software/drivers. I would show you how my interface looks, but I don't have a digital camera to take a picture of it. It is basically 2 RCA jacks on a card slot blanking plate, a circuit card mounted on the plate with all the components and a 40 pin header, and part of an IDE ribbon cable connecting the SoundBlaster® Live card to the interface.
| AUD_EXT connector pin assignments | |
| Pin Name | Description |
| 1 VCC | +5V power supply |
| 2 VCC | +5V power supply |
| 3 GND | Ground |
| 4 AC97CLK | 24.5 MHz clock output |
| 5 GND | Ground |
| 6 GP_SPDIFIN#2 | SPDIF input signal |
| 7 GND | Ground |
| 8 GND | Ground |
| 9 SPDIFO#3 | SPDIF Out signal (Rear) |
| 10 GPO1 | General Purpose Output #1 |
| 11 GPO2 | General Purpose Output #2 |
| 12 GND | Ground |
| 13 GPO0 | General Purpose Output #0 |
| 14 GND | Ground |
| 15 GP_SPDIFIN1 | SPDIF Input signal |
| 16 GND | Ground |
| 17 SPDIFO#0 | SPDIF Out signal (Front) |
| 18 GND | Ground |
| 19 SPDIFO#1 | SPDIF Out signal (Center/Sub) |
| 20 GND | Ground |
| 21 GND | Ground |
| 22 SPDIFO#2 | SPDIF Out signal (Mix Front/Rear) |
| 23 GPI0 | Digital Input, (GP Input 0; Reserved) |
| 24 GPI1 | Digital Input, (GP Input 1; Reserved) |
| 25 OUTMIDI | MIDI Output |
| 26 GND | Ground |
| 27 INMIDI | MIDI Input |
| 28 GND | Ground |
| 29 KEY | |
| 30 KEY | |
| 31 ADCSDO2 | I2S audio data input 2 |
| 32 GND | Ground |
| 33 ADCSDO1 | I2S audio data input 1 |
| 34 GND | Ground |
| 35 ADCSDO0 | I2S audio data input 0 |
| 36 GND | Ground |
| 37 I2SCLK | I2S serial bit clock |
| 38 GND | Ground |
| 39 I2SFS | I2S Frame sync |
| 40 GND | Ground |
| Parts list | |
| C1 | 150 nf |
| C2 | 10 nf |
| C3 | 100 nf |
| R1 | 91 ohm |
| R2 | 360 ohm |
| R3 | 100 ohm |
| R4 | 75 ohm |
| R5 | 10 Kohm |
| R6 | 4.7 Kohm |
| U1 | 74HC04 |
| Misc Parts | 2 RCA connectors 1 40 Pin Header Perfboard 40 Pin Ribbon Cable |
Software:
No special software is required for this modification. Everything should be included with the drivers for the card. There are a few things to note though. If you want the Dolby® Digital 5.1 audio passed through to your external equipment, disable the AC-3 decoding in the AudioHQ control panel. Be sure to select 5.1 speakers in the AudioHQ mixer as well. UPDATE: If you use PowerDVD XP build 2417, all channels may be present on the output of the interface, not just the front channel. I don't know about other software DVD players.
Conclusion:
This seemed to work well for me, I hope you have the same luck as I did. And please, don't fry your card, or yourself attempting this. If you find any blatant mistakes, please let me know. Good Luck.