What’s the Difference Between Analog and Digital?Īs a general rule, analog applies to the physical world, such as the effect you get from strumming a guitar or singing into a microphone, thus creating vibrating sound waves that move actual air. In order for your devices to communicate with each other and send the signals that become video and audio, sometimes they just require a “translator,” and that’s where an ASC saves the day.

These can be shorthanded in a bunch of various ways (such as A/D, ADC, D/A, and DAC) but they all perform the same function, going in both directions depending on what you need. Typically, there are two types of audio converters: digital to analog, and analog to digital. It’s a frustratingly flustering moment, but the missing piece may be as simple as a small black box known as an audio signal converter.Īn audio signal converter, or ASC, can also be a great way to prolong the life of an old but beloved piece of equipment like a stereo receiver, and keep it connected to a modern TV or gaming console with a newer format, despite the two devices lacking matching inputs and outputs. Hooking up your home theater system can be a literal tangled web of wires and cords, only to find out your cables aren’t compatible with your audio sources, or you can’t connect up two units because of a lack of proper ports. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Av analog to digital optical converter