Splitting Optical S/PDIF cable

johnmed · 10-08-2008, 12:13

I have a Foxsat HD and PS3, both output via optical, but my cr@ppy 5.1 system only has one optical input.

Is there a way I can split the cable, sharing the one input on the amp?

soulboy77 · 10-08-2008, 12:42

You could use a Toslink optical switch - link

paulr2006 · 10-08-2008, 12:53

Whilst the switch recommended will work fine it does mean you have to select the input each time you use it which depending upon access can be a pain. A better solution is one of these; http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-Way-Optical-...6.c0.m14.l1318

Just plug the single end into you AV Amp. & the 2 items of kit into the other, it will work superbly, the only thing you have to remember is to have only one item on at a time otherwise you will get no sound at all as both signals collide.

PS it does say one input & two outputs but don't let that put you off, I have used one for years, it works in reverse simply because all it is inside is a mirror which reflects the light either way.

soulboy77 · 10-08-2008, 13:16

May, depend on whether the Foxsat HD is usually left on all the time but certainly Paulr2006's 2 way optical connector is a cheap and neater solution.

johnmed · 10-08-2008, 13:24

thanks chaps. eBay is my friend. Just ordered a splitter and a 99p optical cable. That'll save me faffing around when I want to switch sources.

I'd been meaning to look for a solution for ages, knew there would be a cheap way of doing it, but every time I got on to eBay I ended up searching for old BMWs!

RobAnt · 10-08-2008, 14:21

Yes, I use something similar myself, and it is fine in either direction.

Just make sure that if you want to hear source number 1, that source number 2 isn't playing too. It's better if the non-playing source is actually turned off.

johnmed · 10-08-2008, 17:45

Standby or OFF?

paulr2006 · 10-08-2008, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmed

Standby or OFF?

Standby should be fine

johnmed · 10-08-2008, 22:39

great, thanks.

johnmed · 15-08-2008, 17:06

Rec'd my splitter today. It wouldn't work; only one output functioned! Was only cheap so I took it apart to fiddle and fix it, to no avail! It seems one of the outputs was a bright red, the other v.bright, now it won't work at all.

A few quid later and I'm in the same position!

HELP

paulr2006 · 15-08-2008, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmed

Rec'd my splitter today. It wouldn't work; only one output functioned! Was only cheap so I took it apart to fiddle and fix it, to no avail! It seems one of the outputs was a bright red, the other v.bright, now it won't work at all.

A few quid later and I'm in the same position!

HELP

Are you sure you did not have both items of kit turned on together? if so it would not work! if one was off & it did not work then the item is faulty & should be replaced.

johnmed · 15-08-2008, 18:06

No only one was off at a time,.. I've just googled it all, and I've found it's a common fault, loads of the optical splitters around don't really work.

Can someone please suggest a workable solutiuon that'll save me forking out on a new system w/2 inputs?

paulr2006 · 15-08-2008, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmed

No only one was off at a time,.. I've just googled it all, and I've found it's a common fault, loads of the optical splitters around don't really work.

Can someone please suggest a workable solutiuon that'll save me forking out on a new system w/2 inputs?

Well I'm looking at one now that worked for me for over 5 years until I got my new receiver, it really is the best answer unless you go & get one of the 3 way versions from maplin (switch type).

paulr2006 · 15-08-2008, 18:40

Just a thought; you did put the single end to your Amp. & the other two ends to your kit? if you put your Amp to one of the double connections then it would not work.

johnmed · 15-08-2008, 18:42

^ I think a trip to Maplin is in order then!

johnmed · 16-08-2008, 12:25

RESULT. Popped down to friendly Maplin, who sold me a splitter for £8. It works!

THANKS CHAPS, CHAPETTES,... I'd just like to thank everyone who helped me, my family, friends...

10-08-2008, 12:13	#1
johnmed Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 118	Splitting Optical S/PDIF cable I have a Foxsat HD and PS3, both output via optical, but my cr@ppy 5.1 system only has one optical input. Is there a way I can split the cable, sharing the one input on the amp?

10-08-2008, 12:42	#2
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	You could use a Toslink optical switch - link

10-08-2008, 12:53	#3
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	Whilst the switch recommended will work fine it does mean you have to select the input each time you use it which depending upon access can be a pain. A better solution is one of these; http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-Way-Optical-...6.c0.m14.l1318 Just plug the single end into you AV Amp. & the 2 items of kit into the other, it will work superbly, the only thing you have to remember is to have only one item on at a time otherwise you will get no sound at all as both signals collide. PS it does say one input & two outputs but don't let that put you off, I have used one for years, it works in reverse simply because all it is inside is a mirror which reflects the light either way.

10-08-2008, 13:16	#4
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	May, depend on whether the Foxsat HD is usually left on all the time but certainly Paulr2006's 2 way optical connector is a cheap and neater solution.

10-08-2008, 13:24	#5
johnmed Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 118	thanks chaps. eBay is my friend. Just ordered a splitter and a 99p optical cable. That'll save me faffing around when I want to switch sources. I'd been meaning to look for a solution for ages, knew there would be a cheap way of doing it, but every time I got on to eBay I ended up searching for old BMWs!

10-08-2008, 14:21	#6
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	Yes, I use something similar myself, and it is fine in either direction. Just make sure that if you want to hear source number 1, that source number 2 isn't playing too. It's better if the non-playing source is actually turned off.

10-08-2008, 17:45	#7
johnmed Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 118	Standby or OFF?

10-08-2008, 17:57	#8
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	Quote: Originally Posted by johnmed Standby or OFF? Standby should be fine

10-08-2008, 22:39	#9
johnmed Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 118	great, thanks.

15-08-2008, 17:06	#10
johnmed Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 118	Rec'd my splitter today. It wouldn't work; only one output functioned! Was only cheap so I took it apart to fiddle and fix it, to no avail! It seems one of the outputs was a bright red, the other v.bright, now it won't work at all. A few quid later and I'm in the same position! HELP

15-08-2008, 17:32	#11
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	Quote: Originally Posted by johnmed Rec'd my splitter today. It wouldn't work; only one output functioned! Was only cheap so I took it apart to fiddle and fix it, to no avail! It seems one of the outputs was a bright red, the other v.bright, now it won't work at all. A few quid later and I'm in the same position! HELP Are you sure you did not have both items of kit turned on together? if so it would not work! if one was off & it did not work then the item is faulty & should be replaced.

15-08-2008, 18:06	#12
johnmed Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 118	No only one was off at a time,.. I've just googled it all, and I've found it's a common fault, loads of the optical splitters around don't really work. Can someone please suggest a workable solutiuon that'll save me forking out on a new system w/2 inputs?

15-08-2008, 18:38	#13
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	Quote: Originally Posted by johnmed No only one was off at a time,.. I've just googled it all, and I've found it's a common fault, loads of the optical splitters around don't really work. Can someone please suggest a workable solutiuon that'll save me forking out on a new system w/2 inputs? Well I'm looking at one now that worked for me for over 5 years until I got my new receiver, it really is the best answer unless you go & get one of the 3 way versions from maplin (switch type).

15-08-2008, 18:40	#14
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	Just a thought; you did put the single end to your Amp. & the other two ends to your kit? if you put your Amp to one of the double connections then it would not work.

15-08-2008, 18:42	#15
johnmed Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 118	^ I think a trip to Maplin is in order then!

16-08-2008, 12:25	#16
johnmed Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 118	RESULT. Popped down to friendly Maplin, who sold me a splitter for £8. It works! THANKS CHAPS, CHAPETTES,... I'd just like to thank everyone who helped me, my family, friends...

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Splitting Optical S/PDIF cable