how to use spdif inputs?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

<gerrymcc@indigo.ie> wrote in message
news:XQfTe.12953$R5.1012@news.indigo.ie

> All these interfaces that feature "2 analog and 2 spdif
> inputs"; how do you make use of the spdif inputs? Is a
> mixer with spdif outputs the only way?

Lots of people don't use mixers with their computer audio
interfaces.

It does raise the question of what to do with SP/DIF I/O:

(1) Use it to synch multiple audio interfaces in the same
PC. SPDIF-out to SPDIF-in is the poor man's word clock I/O.
(2) Do bit-perfect transfers with traditional digital audio
recorders that lack modern file transfer facilities.
(3) Use external converter(s) to add more I/O channels.
(4) Use external converter(s) to get higher quality
conversions.
(5) Avoid round-tripping audio through back-to-back
converters when interfacing equipment.