Digital Coax vs Digital Optical

[Corpsman]

Please discuss whether I should be using digital coax vs digital optical for my DVD and my Satellite connections.

 

[markw]

Both can work equally well. It all boils down to preference, cost and convenience.

Do you have any specific questions?

 

[zumbo]

I prefer Belden 1694A(coax) from BJC.

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

 

[Alex2507]

I prefer Belden 1694A(coax) from BJC.

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

And I like the fiber optic from the same site.
I also like the fact that the site meets the OP's request. I just like the site.

 

[Haoleb]

The only advantage optical has is that it is not a physical electrical connection. Now, in the case of a dvd player or satellite/catv box and in a home AV system the advantages it has are pretty much nil.

Digital coax has the advantage of being cheaper, more reliable and more readily available. It is more reliable because you dont have to worry about getting the connector dirty, you dont have to worry about the cable coming out of the jack, as the toslink connector is a pretty poor design. and its just simpler. You can use virtually any standard rca cable for it.

 

[Alex2507]

I thought optical had the advantage of being impervious to EMI and RFI.

 

[rnatalli]

I prefer coax myself simply because of the connector. It has been my experience that Toslink cables sometimes connected loosely.

 

[zumbo]

I prefer coax myself simply because of the connector. It has been my experience that Toslink cables sometimes connected loosely.

And the Canare RCAPs make it even that much better. Fantastic connectors.

 

[Haoleb]

I thought optical had the advantage of being impervious to EMI and RFI.

That is true, But really, in the average home av setup the advantage is pretty nil. RG6 coax is shielded with a foil shield, and then with a braided sheild over that. RG6 Quad has double that.

The other advantage with optical technology is the potential for extermely more bandwith and isolation.

 

[Alex2507]

But really, in the average home av setup the advantage is pretty nil.

I don't know, I like to wear one of these for critical listening:

http://zapatopi.net/afdb/

 

[Haoleb]

I don't know, I like to wear one of these for critical listening:

http://zapatopi.net/afdb/

Sorry to tell you, But to achieve the most out of that you'll have to connect a ground wire to it. Probably just something the designers overlooked

 

[Corpsman]

Thanks for the reply. As for the connectors... the digital optical is a poor design. Monster Cable made it even worse by designing a locking type connecting end that has broken two of the digital optical inputs on my receiver from the cables being pulled out without first being pushed in. I now have to add tape to secure the cables into place.

The reason I ask this, is that my receiver' owner's manual has a footnote that says that Sony suggest using digital coaxial cables over digital coaxial cables. I just wanted to know why.

 

[zumbo]

The reason I ask this, is that my receiver' owner's manual has a footnote that says that Sony suggest using digital coaxial cables over digital coaxial cables.

 

[Corpsman]

Opps, that should have read digital coaxial cables over digital optical.

 

[zumbo]

Opps, that should have read digital coaxial cables over digital optical.

I agree.

 

[Phil Taylor]

I too prefer the durability of coax over fiber. I only use optical when there is no coax option - i.e. my old Dish 4900 sat receiver which only has optical digital out.

 

[Alex2507]

Looks like I have taken the road less travelled. I'm gonna take my Deflector Beanie and leave now ...