Optical cable

[2string]

I need an Optical cable,does it matter what brand or quality it is. Any suggestions?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Something cheap from Monoprice or Rat Shack.

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

I have read that brand / quality doesn't matter to an extreme due to this being a digital interconnect.

From what I understand (and I definitely do not claim to be an expert) is that analog interconnects are more susceptible to picking up interference and undesirable side effects as compared to their digital counterpart... therefore considering digital cables only transport 1's and 0's the actual cable does the same job from one manufacturer to the next.

That being said, I have read that the actual termination ends of a digital optical cable are the areas that quality matters in this specific item. As a general rule of thumb for any thing like this, the shorter run the better, the tighter the fit of the terminated end the better (loose connections in home theaters are never desired) and if dealing with an analog cable or speaker wire, the thicker and more shielded the better.

I hope that helps, perhaps someone more familiar with the reason why the ends of a digital optical cable matter moreso can explain why.

Edit: almost forgot one other thing... always keep those cables (of any kind) clean and free of unnatural bends or kinks.

 

[2string]

Do the cables from monoprice have good terminals?

 

[TLS Guy]

Avoid Chinese junk. Buy good American cables from Blue Jeans cable.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

 

[rnatalli]

Bluejeans or Monoprice. Can't go wrong...

 

[stratman]

Avoid Chinese junk. Buy good American cables from Blue Jeans cable.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

I just bought a 2 foot opt. cable from BJC, very good quality, but pricier than monoprice. I paid $18.00 inc.delivery (priority us mail.)

 

[MUDSHARK]

Blue Jean Cables is the best quality audio cable that I would buy. Anything beyond is unnecessary. I might pay more for video cables but not much more. All my excesses go into equipment (DVD-Audio, music server, DAC, etc...).

 

[Thaedium]

meh, I bought the cheapest set at a rat shack, I paid a whopping $10.00, and it does the job of more expensive versions just as well. If you want a more durable cable, then yes I'd go to BJC's. However, that said, just how much beating do you expect to give these cables? I mean seirously, once you've plugged them in you'll never touch or move them again other then when you're dusting.

 

[sparky77]

the three foot toslink I picked up from Hardware Hank for 6 bucks works just fine for my brother inlaws system to link the iptv box to his yamaha htib. No problems, and no audio cut outs.

 

[PhillyDan1969]

I bought 4 Toslink optical cables from monoprice at $6.50 each and I will say they are some of the the best cables I have ever purchased at such a cheap price!!!

 

[Thaedium]

lol... mail armor for your optical cables... Should be good in a battle, it will withstand arrows and the grazing strikes of claymores!

No but PhillyDan1969 if you got those at $6.50 then thats a great deal.

 

[Halon451]

I bought 4 Toslink optical cables from monoprice at $6.50 each and I will say they are some of the the best cables I have ever purchased at such a cheap price!!!

Ditto on the monoprice optical - this is the very one I use to connect my cable box to my receiver. For the price it was an absolute steal - the connectors are of very high quality and fits in tight and secure on both ends. I'd never use anything else at this point.

 

[emorphien]

I'm wondering if I should get some better ones that might fit tighter. I've had problems with signal cutting out to the two rear optical ports on my receiver and I don't know if it's due to the cables or maybe my receiver just getting old.

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

Wow, nice cable.... makes me want to buy some.

 

[trnqk7]

As the above pics show, proof that you don't have to spend $$$ to get nice looking cables. Good news for all!

 

[PhillyDan1969]

lol... mail armor for your optical cables... Should be good in a battle, it will withstand arrows and the grazing strikes of claymores!

No but PhillyDan1969 if you got those at $6.50 then thats a great deal.

Yes they are heavy metal cables with metal connectors, you could definitely put an eye out with these if you flail them around!!! They also make and sell seriously heavy HDMI cables!!!

They retail at monoprice for $6.49 each, but I actually got them cheaper because if you buy 2-5 cables they sell for $6.02; need 6 or more optical cables(?), then they sell at $5.56 each!!!

http://monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229

I found monoprice through a link on the DVDprofiler forums and I have used them since. The only cables I have never purchased from them are speaker cables since all my speakers are connected with Impact Acoustics cables which I discovered here years ago!!!

Yes, I am a monoprice fanboy!!!