Coax or Optical?

[Mega2000]

I have both optical and coax digital outputs on both my CATV box and DVD player. Is one of them better and what connection can I get the best bang for the buck?

Like, if I had $20 to spend on a 3' cable. Do I but a $20 coax or a $20 optical?

thanks a billion

 

[JohnA]

Both the same except...

It is the same digital signal, but the optical is not subject to interference because it is light, where the digital coax still can suffer from electronic interference.

 

[Lincoln]

coax is preferred if you have a choice, less jitter. RF interference is rare.

 

[markw]

Ditto, plus

coax is preferred if you have a choice, less jitter. RF interference is rare.

...coax makes a better, more solid connection, it bends easier and on a good day, a very high quality glass optical cable (most are plastic) that is solidly seated in the connections performs almost as good as yer basic coaxial cable.