Quick Start; Notes On Laptops And Cardbus - RME Audio Hammerfall Digiface User Manual

6.2 Quick Start

After the driver installation (see chapter 10 / 19) connect the digital inputs and outputs to your
other digital equipment.
The Digiface's digital outputs provide SPDIF (AES/EBU compatible) and ADAT optical signals
at the corresponding ports.
An analog stereo output is available on the front. This output is a very low impedance type,
which can also be used to connect headphones.

6.3 Notes on Laptops and CardBus

The HDSP system uses the notebook's PCMCIA type II port as CardBus interface. Compared
to a PC-Card, which only has access to the outdated ISA-bus, CardBus is a 32 bit PCI inter-
face. Like with a desktop system it's not possible to remove a PCI device while in operation.
First the operating system has to receive a ‚removal request', then the device has to be
stopped. Finally the card can be pulled out of the PCMCIA slot.
Windows
When inserting the CardBus card it usually will be detected automatically by the notebook
hardware and then the operating system. A beep signals the detection. In rare cases detection
will fail. If so, simply remove the card and insert it again.
To remove the hardware click on the green arrow symbol in the
systray. It is possible to stop the HDSP directly, or to first call up the
info dialog by double clicking the symbol, and then stopping it.
Mac OS X
When inserting the CardBus card it usually is detected automatically by the notebook hardware
and then by the Mac OS. A CardBus icon will appear on the top menu. A mouse click on the
icon opens a drop-down menu, showing the card's name (Hammerfall DSP) and an option to
switch it off.
To remove the CardBus card click on the menu entry
'Power off card'. The Mac OS internally de-installs the
CardBus card and switches off power (the red Host LED
begins to blink). The card can now be pulled out of the
PCMCIA slot.
Tech Infos
The Hammerfall DSP System was tested thoroughly on several notebooks by RME. Basically
the CardBus card operates with any tested device. Our website hosts several interesting Tech
Infos with background information:
HDSP-System: Notebook Tests – Compatibility and Performance
HDSP System: Notebook Basics - Notebook Hardware
HDSP System: Notebook Basics - Background Knowledge and Tuning
The mobile operation of the HDSP system can cause problems. Explanations and solutions on
digital noise, ground loops, headphone operation and Line Out wiring, power supplies and the
mobile operation with battery can be found in the Tech Info:
HDSP System: Notebook Basics - The Audio Notebook in Practise.
User's Guide HDSP System Digiface © RME
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