Digital Optical versus RCA

[Jordan K]

Hey guys,

I just got a Cambridge 540rv.2 reciever and am wondering the best way to set it up. I currently have a Pioneer plasma with a media box, a Cablevision DVR/cable box and a samsung upconverting dvd player both with HDMI outputs into the Media box. What do you guys think is best for my set up to use the optical in on the cambridge or the rca jcaks?

Thanks,
Jordan

 

[TLS Guy]

Hey guys,

I just got a Cambridge 540rv.2 reciever and am wondering the best way to set it up. I currently have a Pioneer plasma with a media box, a Cablevision DVR/cable box and a samsung upconverting dvd player both with HDMI outputs into the Media box. What do you guys think is best for my set up to use the optical in on the cambridge or the rca jcaks?

Thanks,
Jordan

You know it is tiresome if we have to pull user manuals off the Internet all the time. Could you please enlighten us as to the inputs available on that Cambridge 540rv.2. Also please tell us what Pioneer plasma you have and what the inputs and outputs are on that. Thanks.

 

[markw]

"RCA jacks" cover a multitude of different things.

What color is the jack and/or what is it labelled?

 

[Jordan K]

Cambridge
* Audio outputs 6 amplified speaker outputs, 6.1 preamp output, 1 tape record output
* Video inputs: 4 composite, 3 S-video, 2 component video
* Video outputs: 1 composite, 1 S-video, 1 component
* Digital inputs: 2 coaxial, 3 optical
* Digital outputs: 1 coaxial, 1 optical

Pioneer PDP-4360HD
ANT/CABLE A IN terminal
MONITOR OUT terminals (AUDIO)
MONITOR OUT terminal (VIDEO)
G-LINK terminal
i.LINK terminals
SUB WOOFER terminal
DIGITAL OUT terminal (OPTICAL)
CableCARDTM slot
CONTROL IN terminal
CONTROL OUT terminal
ANT B IN terminal
RS-232C terminal (used for factory setup)
INPUT 2 terminals (AUDIO)
INPUT 1 terminals (AUDIO)
INPUT 2 terminal (VIDEO)
INPUT 1 terminal (VIDEO)
INPUT 2 terminal (S-VIDEO)
INPUT 1 terminal (S-VIDEO)
INPUT 3 terminals (AUDIO)
INPUT 3 terminals (COMPONENT VIDEO: Y, CB/PB, CR/PR)
INPUT 1 terminals (COMPONENT VIDEO: Y, CB/PB, CR/PR)
HDMI terminals (INPUT1/INPUT3)

 

[TLS Guy]

Cambridge
* Audio outputs 6 amplified speaker outputs, 6.1 preamp output, 1 tape record output
* Video inputs: 4 composite, 3 S-video, 2 component video
* Video outputs: 1 composite, 1 S-video, 1 component
* Digital inputs: 2 coaxial, 3 optical
* Digital outputs: 1 coaxial, 1 optical

Pioneer PDP-4360HD
ANT/CABLE A IN terminal
MONITOR OUT terminals (AUDIO)
MONITOR OUT terminal (VIDEO)
G-LINK terminal
i.LINK terminals
SUB WOOFER terminal
DIGITAL OUT terminal (OPTICAL)
CableCARDTM slot
CONTROL IN terminal
CONTROL OUT terminal
ANT B IN terminal
RS-232C terminal (used for factory setup)
INPUT 2 terminals (AUDIO)
INPUT 1 terminals (AUDIO)
INPUT 2 terminal (VIDEO)
INPUT 1 terminal (VIDEO)
INPUT 2 terminal (S-VIDEO)
INPUT 1 terminal (S-VIDEO)
INPUT 3 terminals (AUDIO)
INPUT 3 terminals (COMPONENT VIDEO: Y, CB/PB, CR/PR)
INPUT 1 terminals (COMPONENT VIDEO: Y, CB/PB, CR/PR)
HDMI terminals (INPUT1/INPUT3)

OK, that unit has no HDMI inputs. You can use component video in and out, or buy am HDMI switcher, and just use the receiver to switch audio. the latter is probably best. New HD sources are no longer allowed to output HD from analog outputs.

You can use either optical or coax SPDIF inputs. If you use coax you need a SPDIF cable to have the right impedance. These are often called digital coax cables. Optical cables have to be handled with more care as they have glass bundles. There will be no difference in performance.

Why did you purchase version 2? I have been on the site and version 3 has HDMI switching. If you can exchange it, I would.

 

[Jordan K]

I got the v2 primarily based on the price I got for it - I paid $370. I was looking for a receiver in the $400 range and after researching a lot I felt that the Cambridge would be far superior than the Marantz and Yamaha with HDMI switching that I was looking at in that price range(not that those were bad units, kind of been wanting a Cambridge for a while too). Also, everything goes HDMI into the Pioneer media box right now.

Okay, so I am a little bit confused - i am not really familiar with digital cables other than rca and hdmi. So, if I want to use the Optical outputs I would need the Optical cable and the Coax SPDIF for each unit ... or ... my standard monster RCA red and white cables?

 

[TLS Guy]

I got the v2 primarily based on the price I got for it - I paid $370. I was looking for a receiver in the $400 range and after researching a lot I felt that the Cambridge would be far superior than the Marantz and Yamaha with HDMI switching that I was looking at in that price range(not that those were bad units, kind of been wanting a Cambridge for a while too). Also, everything goes HDMI into the Pioneer media box right now.

Okay, so I am a little bit confused - i am not really familiar with digital cables other than rca and hdmi. So, if I want to use the Optical outputs I would need the Optical cable and the Coax SPDIF for each unit ... or ... my standard monster RCA red and white cables?

No you need either one from each unit not both. You have to assign which for each input in the set up menu.

No, the white and red ended cables will not do. This is a SPDIF cable.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm

You need to read your instruction manual carefully. Setting this up if you are totally new to it, is quite a learning curve. Read your manual completely through and through, and may be several times.

I think you will regret not getting HDMI switching. The task you have now would be a lot simpler and neater. You also have guaranteed obsolescence. In fact your unit is obsolete right out of the box. I strongly recommend exchanging it.

 

[markw]

I'd that for the short distances found in most home installations, virtually any interconnect will work just fine for a "digital coaxial cable.

Try what you already have before jumping on the "official" digital cable bandwagon. You may be plesantly surprised. I was. Most people are.

 

[Jordan K]

Thanks guys, I think that is what I'll do. Try my monster components that I have lying around and then try the digital optical. They do not seem like to much of an investment from bluejeans to experiment or return.

Thanks!
Jordan

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks guys, I think that is what I'll do. Try my monster components that I have lying around and then try the digital optical. They do not seem like to much of an investment from bluejeans to experiment or return.

Thanks!
Jordan

The SPDIF cables have the correct impedance 75 ohm. There is always the professional correct way to do installations and the sloppy hack way.

If you violate standards, and then have problems down the road, it makes everything tougher and more confusing to track down.

We are not talking loony exotic cables here.

I believe using the correct cables, correctly terminated at both ends makes for stable professional installations.

 

[markw]

The SPDIF cables have the correct impedance 75 ohm. There is always the professional correct way to do installations and the sloppy hack way.

Surprisingly enough, a lot of audio cables are also 75 ohms. Since audio I/O is perfectly happy with anywhere between 50 and 110 ohms, a lot of manufacturers fine it more cost effective to simply use 75 ohms all around.

If you violate standards, and then have problems down the road, it makes everything tougher and more confusing to track down.

Well, so fat I've got five years on a plain old "yellow jack" video connector for a "digital" cable and no problems.

We are not talking loony exotic cables here.

True, but if it works just as good, why not use what one has on hand already?

I believe using the correct cables, correctly terminated at both ends makes for stable professional installations.

And I think we all agree here. I think the differnce is more a matter of semantics of what one considers the "correct" cables. To me, that the "correct" cable is one that works perfectly well for the job for which it's been implemented.

 

[Hi Ho]

The bottom line here is that you will get identical sound whether you use the optical connection or the digital coax. No, you do not need to purchase a special cable for digital coax. The ones you have will work fine. If you want optical cables then Monoprice is an excellent source (BlueJeans is as well but slightly higher priced).

 

[bongobob]

OK, that unit has no HDMI inputs. You can use component video in and out, or buy am HDMI switcher, and just use the receiver to switch audio. the latter is probably best. New HD sources are no longer allowed to output HD from analog outputs.

You can use either optical or coax SPDIF inputs. If you use coax you need a SPDIF cable to have the right impedance. These are often called digital coax cables. Optical cables have to be handled with more care as they have glass bundles. There will be no difference in performance.

Why did you purchase version 2? I have been on the site and version 3 has HDMI switching. If you can exchange it, I would.

Actually, any decent coax cable will be constructed to 75 Ohms. Note I said "cable". The connector is almost never 75 ohms thoughout it's length. That being said, the reflectivity of the discontinuity in impedance is so small that it'll never make a differance in a short run.

I've also found that most optical cables actually have a plastic core. There are glass ones out there but generally they're pretty expensive for obvious reasons.