optical cable for home theater....boy am i confused!

[moshe28]

I am trying to run a digital optical cable from my scientific explorer 8300HD cable box to the reciever of my Sony HT-DDW790 and I am completely stuck.

The cable box and the reciever both have an optical slot. I bought a exxtech digital optical cable to connect the two and here is the problem; it does not fit???? the slot on the cable box and reciever both are shaped the same as the cable (slot looks kind of like the shape of a small house) but the cable does not firmly fit into or snap into place. Unlike lets say a coaxial cable which smugly fits into the coaxial slot, the cable end seems to small and falls out.. Are the widths of the ends of different optical cables come in different sizes? Has anybody ever hooked one of these optical cables up and do they fit tight and smugly in the slot? any ideas what might be going on?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

They are all the same so something smells fishy. You sure you took the cover off both ends and you are putting them in correctly?

I am trying to run a digital optical cable from my scientific explorer 8300HD cable box to the reciever of my Sony HT-DDW790 and I am completely stuck.

The cable box and the reciever both have an optical slot. I bought a exxtech digital optical cable to connect the two and here is the problem; it does not fit???? the slot on the cable box and reciever both are shaped the same as the cable (slot looks kind of like the shape of a small house) but the cable does not firmly fit into or snap into place. Unlike lets say a coaxial cable which smugly fits into the coaxial slot, the cable end seems to small and falls out.. Are the widths of the ends of different optical cables come in different sizes? Has anybody ever hooked one of these optical cables up and do they fit tight and smugly in the slot? any ideas what might be going on?

 

[jcsprankle]

I have used several digital optical cables for DVD players and for my 8300HD and have never had a problem. They slide in and sort of click into place. If you are using a proper cable and trying to plug into the proper port, I would say there is something wrong with the 8300. Take it back and ask for another.

There also aren't different connector sizes on each end...they are both the same and it doesn't matter which "direction" the cables is oriented in. As you know, I'm sure, the connectors are keyed and will only fit in one way.

Do you have a digital camera? Take a pic so we can see the exact problem.

 

[Gasman]

Do you mean these?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2604093&sku=B20-7132
or these http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/audio_toslink_cables.html#adt

Hope one of those helps.

or these
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002MQGRM/ref=pd_cp_e_0/002-3831580-1661622?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_r=1H0RC7NGA35DARBFH9WX&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=250314601&pf_rd_i=B00007E87A

http://www.amazon.com/QVS-10-Foot-Toslink-Mini-Toslink-Adapter/dp/B00007E87A

 

[jimfitz]

Did you remove the little plastic cover piece that is on the end of your cable? I had this problem and returned the optical cable for a higher quality cable and it solved the problem.

 

[agarwalro]

Are the widths of the ends of different optical cables come in different sizes? ... any ideas what might be going on?

Assuming you got a standard cable, they should be the same. It does not have to be snug, but it should be securely in place. The "click sound" suggested earlier implies the cable connector is being locked into the socket and should not be easily dislodged. If the cable falls out easily, have the box changed.

Based on the Optical connections on both devices you need a TOSLINK connection cable like this, Fiber Optic cable

Here are links to the Explorer 8300 HD DVR connections and the Owners Manual for the Sony HTDDW790.

 

[j_garcia]

I think it is the fault of the socket in the box. My dad's Comcast HD box does the same thing - the cable fits but a good bump and it will fall out; likely due to them using the cheapest components they could find to build them.

 

[niget2002]

I bought a cable (forgot the brand) that never "clicked" into the slots. It feel out all the time. I ended up replacing the cable with a different brand.

 

[j_garcia]

That is one of the things I don't really like about optical - there is nothing to "click" at all; no physical retention method of any kind. I have never had one of mine fall out personally, but I don't like the idea of it being a possibility.

 

[moshe28]

good suggestions, thanks

I am going to try buying a beter optical cable. that might help as the one i have is a cheapy one made by circuit city....

 

[MDS]

Any cable with a Toslink connector that is made to spec will work just fine. It carries a digital signal that has to travel a few feet at most. Spending more for a 'better' cable will do no good whatsoever unless the old cable is poorly manufactured and can't fit well into the jack.

 

[jimfitz]

Any cable with a Toslink connector that is made to spec will work just fine. It carries a digital signal that has to travel a few feet at most. Spending more for a 'better' cable will do no good whatsoever unless the old cable is poorly manufactured and can't fit well into the jack.

Not necessarily true. I bought a mid-level cable that would not stay plugged in. Took it back and got a more expensive brand and it works great. Obviously, there is some variation in the cables and the component you're plugging in to.

 

[MDS]

Like I said, if the cable is poorly made and the Toslink connector is not to spec, you may have issues; otherwise there is no difference between cables.

 

[jimfitz]

I'm sure they were both to spec. Specs have tolerances. The real problem was probably the cable box I was plugging into. The cable at the upper end of the specification worked while the cable at the lower specification range did not. Any manufacturing process has variation and tolerances.