Difference between OPT-8 and DIO-8 cards?

[yeskeys]

Are these cards the same functionally, just that the DIO-8 has T/DIF on it as well??
Can the DIO-8 use both protocols simultaneously?
thanks,
Eric

[Casey_Pittman]

For the DIO-8 you must choose in the setup window under digital I/O weather you want to use the TDIF or the ADAT. You cannot use both of them at the same time.

Also the main difference from what I understand is that the DIO-8 flips the phase of the signal, which is fine if you record and playback through the desk. Which is why the the OPT-8 is more desired than the DIO-8

-Casey

[High C Double G]

Hi:

There is greater latency (by about 3 samples???) with the DIO-8 as mentioned in the database. I use the DIO-8 and there are three different EPROM versions. v2.1 is the latest and fixes the phase issue with the Tascam units being that the Tascam (TDIF) units want to see a 90 degree phase flip. The v2.0, (I use this one), shows no 90 degree flip which is good that I do not use the TDIF but the ADAT I/O and the word clock works great as an additional wordclock out. Both these versions are 24-bit. The v1.01 is the original and is a 16-bit version; if you have the 16-bit version you should obtain the v2.0 or 2.1 for 24-bit operation. Another important fact is that all DIO-8 cards need to be of the same version in order for the console to pass audio. There is some debate as to the v2.o and v2.1 being able to work together. This is a clear possibility, as a few users have stated they have had no issues with running the two different 24-bit cards together. I have not tried it so I do not know, but I have tried running two v2.0 and one v1.01 and it did not work.

Hope this helps,
Michael

[yeskeys]

Thanks a lot for that information. I just got a DIO 8 card off ebay and it does have a 2.1 Eprom on it. I also am eyeing a good deal on 3 ADATS. So...does anyone know if there would be a compatibility issue running a DIO-8 card with one or two OPT-8 cards?
Eric

[Petersueco]

Hello Eric.

ADAT technology is a very old and dated one. Those video/digital recorders are absolutely not recommendable today. The transport sections of those machines are very very very problematic.

I do have two blackfaced ADAT getting rust in my basement, and honestly, I could only imagine me giving them out for free to my worst enemy. They simply do not work.

You will enjoy a better life if you can find an HD recorder (HD24, MDR or similar) or build a nice DAW.

Just my 0,02 Euro cents.

Peter Holmquist.

[anyhorizon]

For the DIO-8 you must choose in the setup window under digital I/O weather you want to use the TDIF or the ADAT. You cannot use both of them at the same time.

It's my understanding that both optical and TDIF outputs are active simultaneously but that only one or the other input can be assigned on the d8b. Just quoting Mike.

Peter

[yeskeys]

NEWS FLASH! I bought a DA78HR with 129 hours on the head from ebay last night. So now that I have my machine and d8b w/ DIO card, don't I need a specific db25 cable for Tascam units, or will any off the shelf one work? Does anybody want to sell one?
I also have a Mackie analog 24x8 8 bus - I also need a breakout cable to use that as well.

THANK you so much to those who've assisted me so far. I'm probably going to have a few more questions about this rig.
Such as...
1. Has anyone successfully used a d8b to control the transport of a DA machine using MMC?
2. Does the DA have a seperate track - other than the 8 audio ones - for SMPTE or will I need to devote one of the 8? (I'm an old hand w/ SMPTE/MTC and the MIDI spec, so I'm not too concerned about sorting that out - ).

Again, this system is more for fun than any serious recording projects - I'll be recording some kid's rock school bands, my band demos, and some non-critical stuff for myself - I'm just trying to keep my costs SUPER low -

thanks again!
Eric

[Petersueco]

Eric.

Check out the 25-pin D-Sub connectors flavors in this Hook Up Guide from Mackie. (Page 5).

Peter Holmquist.

[High C Double G]

Hi Eric:

I don't know where you are in the world, but I am sure I got a couple of all that laying around here. I am in So Cal USA

Michael

[Casey_Pittman]

For the DIO-8 you must choose in the setup window under digital I/O weather you want to use the TDIF or the ADAT. You cannot use both of them at the same time.

It's my understanding that both optical and TDIF outputs are active simultaneously but that only one or the other input can be assigned on the d8b. Just quoting Mike.

Peter

Right, but just because they are both active doesn't mean you can use both of the inputs on one card at the same time. You can have one DIO-8 card running an ADAT input and another DIO-8 running the TDIF, but not both at the same time on the same card.

Casey