DVD to Receiver. Coaxial, Optical or 6 Channel Audio Cables?

[BJWagner]

I’m confused. What set-up will give me the best sound from a conventional DVD player? I’ve got a Panasonic S97 DVD player connected to my Yamaha RX-V595 via a digital coaxial cable. Soon I’ll be replacing my 595 with a new RX-V2700 and have been looking through my owner’s manual wondering what cables I need to replace. I see that the DVD player can be connected to the receiver with a digital optical cable, coaxial cable or 6 multi-channel audio cables. I’ve only ever run a single coaxial or optical cable, never 6 audio cables. Do these 6 multi-channel audio cables offer better sound than a coaxial or optical cable?

 

[billy p]

I asked

that question a while back for myself. It's simple the analog direct 5.1 cables are only for playback of sacd or dvd-a for high res sound. The fibre optic and coax will do for all regular dvd playback. So if you don't have either sacd or dvd-a mucic disc then save your cash.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I'd use a digital coax over the toslink. Only because it has a stronger connection, less likely to come loose, soundwise they are the same. Like billy p said, you only need the six cables for sacd/dvd-a. You may need an analog r/l connection if your reciever is multizone capable. Zones will not pass a digital signal, only analog.

Jack

 

[BJWagner]

Thanks for the insight. I'm using a good coaxial cable and thought it was the best way to go, however the instructions for mt receiver and DVD player are not terribly clear. It's funny though, you'd think that running 6 audio cables would produce better sound than just one, especially with all this talk of HD audio formats on the horizon. I'm not a big fan of HDMI cables as they tend to fall out easily and are generally poorly engineered.

 

[jcPanny]

DVD audio connection

BJ,
Here is one more receiver connection option. Your new Yamaha RX-V2700 will include HDMI 1.2. This will allow your DVD player to send digital audio (including DVD-A and SACD) to the receiver over the HDMI connection. If you are connecting HDMI directly to the TV, than the digital optical or coax will work great for audio to the receiver.

 

[billy p]

They are

suppose deliver better sound the only problem is regular dvds don't have the required space for high resolution audio output as well as video. The new hd players may infact deliver high res sound via analog direct cables and hdmi, but that technology will cost you.

 

[BJWagner]

BJ,
Here is one more receiver connection option. Your new Yamaha RX-V2700 will include HDMI 1.2. This will allow your DVD player to send digital audio (including DVD-A and SACD) to the receiver over the HDMI connection. If you are connecting HDMI directly to the TV, than the digital optical or coax will work great for audio to the receiver.

I'm assuming my DVD player has HDMI 1.1, and the RX-V2700 is obviously HDMI 1.2, will these two vesions work together? Also, I've noticed a couple HMDI cables for sale that state they're rated for HDMI 1.2, is this a fact, or just snake oil? Will any HDMI cable work for 1.1, 1.2, and one day, 1.3?

 

[billy p]

Hdmi is hdmi the cable will only send the signal. The component must be hdmi 1.3 compatable to send the 1.3 signal and that comes from either the dvd player or receiver, not the cable?

 

[BJWagner]

Hdmi is hdmi the cable will only send the signal. The component must be hdmi 1.3 compatable to send the 1.3 signal and that comes from either the dvd player or receiver, not the cable?

That's what I thought. God, can you believe the garbage on the internet concerning HDMI cables?!?

 

[brendy]

Just keep using your present connection setup.