TDIF: The pros and cons

[alexstringer]

What do you guys think about TDIF compared to Adat or Aes?
The +? The -?
I'm all ears....

[Duardo]

Pro...8 channels at 96kHz (I believe) compared to 4 with Lightpipe...

I was also told at one point that the clocking was more stable (again, than ADAT).

There are two standards for multichannel AES via DB25, so TDIF has the advantage of there being just one (obviously, not an issue with ADAT).

Cons...the other two are just about everywhere.

Smaller connectors (for ADAT).

AES is easy to break out to stereo pairs.

[midnightsun]

I think that TDIF is becoming a thing of the past, but it has and is a stable, dependable way to go. It has been a no brainer to use for 24 channels up to 48K. I have had TASCAM, Motu, and RADAR gear with TDIF. Presently, I have an older RADAR II that can interface with my DAW via TDIF to a Motu PCIe card-- very stable!

With my newer gear I have AES and prefer it. I have never gotten into ADAT or lightpipe.

[StudioKing]

Likewise, i have 2 Radar II recorders linked for 48 track. I use 6 TDIF connections with 2 Motu 2408MkII units to go in and out of my computer for editing and such like.

It also works out very well as i can use my computer with the Radar just acting as convertors.

[Tony Shepperd]

On my RADAR II, I switched the TDIF for AES.

Cons:
There are 3 different protocols for TDIF. (you try and hook up the wrong machine and nothing works)
You can't have long runs with a TDIF cable.

Pro:

[midnightsun]

Originally Posted by Tony Shepperd

On my RADAR II, I switched the TDIF for AES.

Cons:
There are 3 different protocols for TDIF. (you try and hook up the wrong machine and nothing works)
You can't have long runs with a TDIF cable.

Pro:

Tony, what is the Pro of having the AES for RADAR II?

My take on the origional question was that if someone is asking about TDIF they are researching something used or older and want to know the Pros and Cons. A good buy on a quality piece of gear with TDIF is very workable.

One downside of AES is that if you have PCIexpress slots in your DAW your interface options are limited presently, but look "promising" for the future. Perhaps Lynx has already come out with a PCIexpress/AES interface-- if so then disregard this paragraphl.