Ok,
Moving on from my solid state dreams, i'm thinking this is a more viable option.
Background:
I want basically to store a large amount of data ( preferably in CD quality ), which can be outputted to Spdif.
I've looked at SD cards to spdif, which there are few and far between ideas about...
So now take a DVD drive from a PC:
Questions:
1. now i need to convert it's nasty 5v spdif output down to +-0.5v (conventional spdif voltage?) Will this do the trick? http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/119491-spdif-interface-cd-dvd-drive-pc.html
I've seen on here some diagrams with transformers and resistors and chokes.... Does the above circuit essentially do the same, or am i very confused?
Question 2: Can a DVD drive like this be used soley as standalone?
I've read about they must be setup sometimes in windows to enable digital out too... That's no biggy, but do they forget this?
Can I literally just plug in a molex connector and a spdif cable? Forgetting about the IDE entirely? Or is there some for of trick needed to be done to the IDE connector?
3. My next problem is how can i format my disks to support standalone playback?
Will it just be like a DVD CD, NOT DVD-A, I know that's dead!
But a DVD with a CD file system on, (Nero has an option for it).
4. Also has anyone added a next switch onto a DVD drive. I noticed a like onto a site from off here, but that was only for CD players....
I could just use a CD and output to spdif, but my player is already CD, i just want to store even more data in the same size space...
Sorry for the possibly very nooby q's
Thanks guys.
Moving on from my solid state dreams, i'm thinking this is a more viable option.
Background:
I want basically to store a large amount of data ( preferably in CD quality ), which can be outputted to Spdif.
I've looked at SD cards to spdif, which there are few and far between ideas about...
So now take a DVD drive from a PC:
Questions:
1. now i need to convert it's nasty 5v spdif output down to +-0.5v (conventional spdif voltage?) Will this do the trick? http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/119491-spdif-interface-cd-dvd-drive-pc.html
I've seen on here some diagrams with transformers and resistors and chokes.... Does the above circuit essentially do the same, or am i very confused?
Question 2: Can a DVD drive like this be used soley as standalone?
I've read about they must be setup sometimes in windows to enable digital out too... That's no biggy, but do they forget this?
Can I literally just plug in a molex connector and a spdif cable? Forgetting about the IDE entirely? Or is there some for of trick needed to be done to the IDE connector?
3. My next problem is how can i format my disks to support standalone playback?
Will it just be like a DVD CD, NOT DVD-A, I know that's dead!
But a DVD with a CD file system on, (Nero has an option for it).
4. Also has anyone added a next switch onto a DVD drive. I noticed a like onto a site from off here, but that was only for CD players....
I could just use a CD and output to spdif, but my player is already CD, i just want to store even more data in the same size space...
Sorry for the possibly very nooby q's

Thanks guys.
I'm pretty sure standalone play only works with audio CDs. However, if Nero can build you a DVD with a CD file system, try it.
I'd expect those display/control add-ons for CDROM drives should work with DVD drives as well, but only for audio CDs. DVD-ROMs with "play" buttons are rare; I have just one, a Lite-on LTD-163D, made back in 2002.
I think you'd be better off to just buy a cheap DVD player, and build whichever of Audio DVD or DVD Audio is the most compatible. Or, embrace the future and get a media player like the Western Digital WDTV Live or Asus O!Play. I don't know if it will read files off a USB-connected DVD-ROM, but it'll work with USB hard drives, flash, or networked storage. It has S/PDIF out. No display, but maybe a small car LCD would be enough to navigate the menus; video out is HDMI and composite. So, with an HDMI/DVI cable it could be hooked to a DVI computer LCD monitor.
I'd expect those display/control add-ons for CDROM drives should work with DVD drives as well, but only for audio CDs. DVD-ROMs with "play" buttons are rare; I have just one, a Lite-on LTD-163D, made back in 2002.
I think you'd be better off to just buy a cheap DVD player, and build whichever of Audio DVD or DVD Audio is the most compatible. Or, embrace the future and get a media player like the Western Digital WDTV Live or Asus O!Play. I don't know if it will read files off a USB-connected DVD-ROM, but it'll work with USB hard drives, flash, or networked storage. It has S/PDIF out. No display, but maybe a small car LCD would be enough to navigate the menus; video out is HDMI and composite. So, with an HDMI/DVI cable it could be hooked to a DVI computer LCD monitor.
I'm pretty sure standalone play only works with audio CDs. However, if Nero can build you a DVD with a CD file system, try it.
I'd expect those display/control add-ons for CDROM drives should work with DVD drives as well, but only for audio CDs. DVD-ROMs with "play" buttons are rare; I have just one, a Lite-on LTD-163D, made back in 2002.
I think you'd be better off to just buy a cheap DVD player, and build whichever of Audio DVD or DVD Audio is the most compatible. Or, embrace the future and get a media player like the Western Digital WDTV Live or Asus O!Play. I don't know if it will read files off a USB-connected DVD-ROM, but it'll work with USB hard drives, flash, or networked storage. It has S/PDIF out. No display, but maybe a small car LCD would be enough to navigate the menus; video out is HDMI and composite. So, with an HDMI/DVI cable it could be hooked to a DVI computer LCD monitor.
If I were to get one of the above instead do they both output to spdif? Also do they both accept normal USB in's if so could i juts fill a flash drive (or even a USB HDD full of music and plug it in and away we go?)
What's the SQ like though?
I'd also need a powersupply up for the job too, but if i were to use solid state HDD or USB only powered ones, we're still only talking ~1 amp...
I like it, i'll do some reading.
Ok after some looking around.
The WDTV is far too much. diy should mean cheaper 😛.
So back to plan A it is...
I suppose i'll just have to try it wont I... 😉
Sergelisses: You said that i wont have to modify the spdif signal. Why is that?
The denon HU (the DAC) i believe only accepts +/- 0.5v.
Where as I have been told that the DVD drives output to +/- 5v. I don't really want to go modifying the DAC, nor blowing it up. Is there something I can do?
The WDTV is far too much. diy should mean cheaper 😛.
So back to plan A it is...
I suppose i'll just have to try it wont I... 😉
Sergelisses: You said that i wont have to modify the spdif signal. Why is that?
The denon HU (the DAC) i believe only accepts +/- 0.5v.
Where as I have been told that the DVD drives output to +/- 5v. I don't really want to go modifying the DAC, nor blowing it up. Is there something I can do?
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