Record audio on computer through SPDIF-IN

First thing to troubleshoot:

Go to start->control panel->Sound and audio devices
Go to the Audio tab
In the "Sound Recording" section, make sure the spdif device is selected.
Click the "Volume..." button. The windows mixer will open.
Make sure the appropriate source is ticked for recording.

Next, in your audio recording program, make sure the same device is being used for recording as was specified in the sound properties you set above.

To eliminate the possibility of the problem being in your audio recording program, use SNDREC32.EXE. If you device is correctly setup, it will record properly.

I confirmed that the spdif device (the sound card) was selected under the audio tab.  
HOWEVER, when I click on volume, I dont see SPDIF as an option.  I see stereo mix, microphone, cd audio, aux, line in, wave.  I tried selecting each one but still nothing records . Should SPDIF be listed??  I also clicked on properties and ensrured that those are all volume controls  to select from for recording

Also where do I find sndrec32.exe??

thanks

sndrec32 is under start->accessories->entertainment->sound recorder

SPDIF is the protocol, so it wouldn't be listed in the mixer. You probably want line in or aux.-

Are you sure this is actually an input port, and that whatever it is connected to is properly outputting sound out the SPDIF port?

Also check drivers, and check if the motherboard came with any special configuration software for the SP/DIF ports. The input spdif port's sampling rate, bitrate, and # of channels must match the source's sampling rate, bitrate, and # of channels or you will not hear anything.

Give Audacity software a try: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/  Here is a post from someone who used it to record digital: http://audacityteam.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2858

I am pretty sure my source is sending out sound because if I take the same spdif connection and connect to my receiver, I can hear it.

But you raised another good question about the sampling rate and number of channels matching.  The audio source I am trying to record from is via my cable box.  I have no idea what the sampling rate and number of channels it is sending and whether it changes depending on whether its a digital, HD or analog channel.  Any idea where I can find that out?  

I will check out the other options you gave me when I get home this evening

I downnloaded audacity and still no luck.  I got an error message, please check the input source or sampling rate which sounds like what you are saying

 I did not find any place to set the sampling rate for spdif-IN but I found a settings for SPDIF-OUT.  I tried to record using "Line in" and "Aux" still with no luck.

any ideas on where i can set the sampling rate for spdif-IN?

Any other ideas/?

thanks

jas

Take a look at this thread: http://forum.videohelp.com/topic292388.html - it says it's called "Project Rate" and it's in the bottom left hand corner.

I checked the sample rate and manufacturer's insturcitons with no luck.  I am not what sure what else to do.  I reinstalled the software that came with the sound card and tried differnet combinations of the options with no luck.  

jasguild

That's strange. I'm all out of ideas on this one. Perhaps there is something wrong with your motherboard?

Frosty, it turns out that the driver I got from the manufacturer (C-Media) didn't work, however I did a windows update and the driver from windows update WORKED.  I am not sure how to explain that.  I did notice however that the recording via SPDIF is slightly slower than the source.

Other than that it works fine now.  Thanks for your help

jas