Whats the difference between Digital Optical cable and a Digital Coaxial Cable?

Waynester · 17-03-2009, 18:54

Hi Everyone

i have just ordered a SONY 5.1 Home Cinema System

it has an optical input and optical coax input on the back of it

i want to connect my BT Vision Box and a Samsung DVD Player to the Sony System

whats the best way to get 5.1 sound - not sure what cables to use and on what item exactly?

should i buy 1 x digital optical cable and 1 x digital coaxial cable ?

thanks

Deacon1972 · 17-03-2009, 19:09

They are both digital cables and do the same job, the only difference is their termination and the way the do the job - optical transfers the data via light, coaxial transfer the data by voltage.

Which cable/s you need will depend on what outputs you have on the BT Vision and DVD player.

Have a look at the back of each box, they should be clearly marked.

EDIT: BT Vision has optical as far as I can tell, ideally you will need the DVD player to have coaxial, if it hasn't and only optical is on offer you will need an optical switcher.

2way automatic - device not being used needs to be placed in standby - http://www.astarsolutions.co.uk/products/?pc=1101

3way manual switch - http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4766

Waynester · 17-03-2009, 19:12

the DVD Player has Optical out. and the BT Vision box has optical, damn it - i dont think i can do it now

Deacon1972 · 17-03-2009, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

the DVD Player has Optical out. and the BT Vision box has optical, damn it - i dont think i can do it now

See edit to my post.

Waynester · 17-03-2009, 19:35

okay - i think i get it now

my BT Vision has optical out
my Samsung DVD Player has optical out

so, i just buy this
http://www.astarsolutions.co.uk/products/?pc=1101

then plug each of the 2 items into it, then job done?

i noticed that the TV i have has optical out aswell!!

so maybe i dont need to plug the BT Vision box in at all, i can just use the TV into the 2 way splitter and then the Samsung into the splitter aswell?

Deacon1972 · 17-03-2009, 19:40

The 2way will work OK as long as one device is in standby.

Just check that both devices disable the optical output when in standby. Hook up the optical and switch the box on, you should see a red light being omitted from the cable, switch the box off, if the light goes off you are good to go. If it stays on, even on one box you will need the 3way.

Personally I'd forget the TV as it won't output DD5.1, stick with both the external boxes.

Waynester · 17-03-2009, 19:44

how do i check if both devices disable the optical output when in standby, BEFORE i purchase the 2 Way box?

Waynester · 17-03-2009, 19:47

my Samsung DVD Player is here
http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/d...XEU&fullspec=F

Deacon1972 · 17-03-2009, 19:49

Hook up the optical cable to the BT Vision box and switch the box on, you will see a red light, now switch it off, if there's no light being omitted from the end of cable you're OK to use the 2way. If you see the light you will be better off using the 3way.

No need to check the DVD player.

Waynester · 17-03-2009, 19:54

Okay - i have another plan

if i was to forget using the Samsung DVD Player, i can just connect the BT Vision Box via Optical

the Sony DZ260 Surround System has a built in DVD Player, which i will connect using HDMI
surely this will give me Picture and 5.1 Sound anyway?

Deacon1972 · 17-03-2009, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

Okay - i have another plan

if i was to forget using the Samsung DVD Player, i can just connect the BT Vision Box via Optical

the Sony DZ260 Surround System has a built in DVD Player, which i will connect using HDMI
surely this will give me Picture and 5.1 Sound anyway?

If the TV has 2x HDMI then there's nothing stopping you from just connection the BT Vision to the Sony Via optical, just check you can assign the optical when using HDMI.

Yes, you will get picture and DD5.1 from the Sony system.

kev · 17-03-2009, 20:10

Maplin see an Optical to Coaxial converter (and one going the other way) - i've used one to connect my Coaxial output PC to my Optical input stereo.

Also, if you are struggling on the visual side too then Joytech make some good switchers

Both of the following offer 4x Optical input to 1xOptical output plus...

The AV Control Centre 245C offers Component Switching to go with it (plus two inputs with no optical audio) and a 4 port ethernet switch.

The AV Control Centre 2 Offers 4xRGB SCART in addition to the optical (and is the one I use).

FOXZFACE · 18-03-2009, 11:57

That DVD player you linked to has both digital optical and co ax outputs.
Problem solved!

Waynester · 18-03-2009, 14:57

no it doesnt, it only has digital coax, read the specs again

it has NO Optical input on it

Deacon1972 · 18-03-2009, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

no it doesnt, it only has digital coax, read the specs again

it has NO Optical input on it

The link you supplied does indeed state there is no optical output, but if you look on other sites it says it has both digital inputs.

http://www.lambda-tek.com/components...c=y#productTop

Sometimes it can get slightly confusing.

Waynester · 18-03-2009, 15:12

i just checked round the back of the unit, it only has coax on it

Deacon1972 · 18-03-2009, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waynester

i just checked round the back of the unit, it only has coax on it

Not a problem as pointed out, you could still connect this player to the Sony sound system if you wanted. You would need 1x optical and 1x coaxial - but seeing the 260 already has a DVD player incorporated I don't see any advantage in doing so.

By all means try it to see if there is any improvement over the Sony player, you never know.

FOXZFACE · 19-03-2009, 09:33

Hang on a min,
your BT vision has optical out
your DVD has Co-Ax out,
Your sony has, optical in and co-ax in.
I dont understand the problem?
Or is it me?

17-03-2009, 18:54	#1
Waynester Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 220	Whats the difference between Digital Optical cable and a Digital Coaxial Cable? Hi Everyone i have just ordered a SONY 5.1 Home Cinema System it has an optical input and optical coax input on the back of it i want to connect my BT Vision Box and a Samsung DVD Player to the Sony System whats the best way to get 5.1 sound - not sure what cables to use and on what item exactly? should i buy 1 x digital optical cable and 1 x digital coaxial cable ? thanks

17-03-2009, 19:09	#2
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	They are both digital cables and do the same job, the only difference is their termination and the way the do the job - optical transfers the data via light, coaxial transfer the data by voltage. Which cable/s you need will depend on what outputs you have on the BT Vision and DVD player. Have a look at the back of each box, they should be clearly marked. EDIT: BT Vision has optical as far as I can tell, ideally you will need the DVD player to have coaxial, if it hasn't and only optical is on offer you will need an optical switcher. 2way automatic - device not being used needs to be placed in standby - http://www.astarsolutions.co.uk/products/?pc=1101 3way manual switch - http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4766

17-03-2009, 19:12	#3
Waynester Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 220	the DVD Player has Optical out. and the BT Vision box has optical, damn it - i dont think i can do it now

17-03-2009, 19:21	#4
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Waynester the DVD Player has Optical out. and the BT Vision box has optical, damn it - i dont think i can do it now See edit to my post.

17-03-2009, 19:35	#5
Waynester Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 220	okay - i think i get it now my BT Vision has optical out my Samsung DVD Player has optical out so, i just buy this http://www.astarsolutions.co.uk/products/?pc=1101 then plug each of the 2 items into it, then job done? i noticed that the TV i have has optical out aswell!! so maybe i dont need to plug the BT Vision box in at all, i can just use the TV into the 2 way splitter and then the Samsung into the splitter aswell?

17-03-2009, 19:40	#6
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	The 2way will work OK as long as one device is in standby. Just check that both devices disable the optical output when in standby. Hook up the optical and switch the box on, you should see a red light being omitted from the cable, switch the box off, if the light goes off you are good to go. If it stays on, even on one box you will need the 3way. Personally I'd forget the TV as it won't output DD5.1, stick with both the external boxes.

17-03-2009, 19:44	#7
Waynester Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 220	how do i check if both devices disable the optical output when in standby, BEFORE i purchase the 2 Way box?

17-03-2009, 19:47	#8
Waynester Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 220	my Samsung DVD Player is here http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/d...XEU&fullspec=F

17-03-2009, 19:49	#9
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Hook up the optical cable to the BT Vision box and switch the box on, you will see a red light, now switch it off, if there's no light being omitted from the end of cable you're OK to use the 2way. If you see the light you will be better off using the 3way. No need to check the DVD player.

17-03-2009, 19:54	#10
Waynester Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 220	Okay - i have another plan if i was to forget using the Samsung DVD Player, i can just connect the BT Vision Box via Optical the Sony DZ260 Surround System has a built in DVD Player, which i will connect using HDMI surely this will give me Picture and 5.1 Sound anyway?

17-03-2009, 19:58	#11
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Waynester Okay - i have another plan if i was to forget using the Samsung DVD Player, i can just connect the BT Vision Box via Optical the Sony DZ260 Surround System has a built in DVD Player, which i will connect using HDMI surely this will give me Picture and 5.1 Sound anyway? If the TV has 2x HDMI then there's nothing stopping you from just connection the BT Vision to the Sony Via optical, just check you can assign the optical when using HDMI. Yes, you will get picture and DD5.1 from the Sony system.

17-03-2009, 20:10	#12
kev Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: South Notts (Waltham TV TX) Posts: 20,200	Maplin see an Optical to Coaxial converter (and one going the other way) - i've used one to connect my Coaxial output PC to my Optical input stereo. Also, if you are struggling on the visual side too then Joytech make some good switchers Both of the following offer 4x Optical input to 1xOptical output plus... The AV Control Centre 245C offers Component Switching to go with it (plus two inputs with no optical audio) and a 4 port ethernet switch. The AV Control Centre 2 Offers 4xRGB SCART in addition to the optical (and is the one I use).

18-03-2009, 11:57	#13
FOXZFACE Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 190	That DVD player you linked to has both digital optical and co ax outputs. Problem solved!

18-03-2009, 14:57	#14
Waynester Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 220	no it doesnt, it only has digital coax, read the specs again it has NO Optical input on it

18-03-2009, 15:05	#15
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Waynester no it doesnt, it only has digital coax, read the specs again it has NO Optical input on it The link you supplied does indeed state there is no optical output, but if you look on other sites it says it has both digital inputs. http://www.lambda-tek.com/components...c=y#productTop Sometimes it can get slightly confusing.

18-03-2009, 15:12	#16
Waynester Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 220	i just checked round the back of the unit, it only has coax on it

18-03-2009, 15:34	#17
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Waynester i just checked round the back of the unit, it only has coax on it Not a problem as pointed out, you could still connect this player to the Sony sound system if you wanted. You would need 1x optical and 1x coaxial - but seeing the 260 already has a DVD player incorporated I don't see any advantage in doing so. By all means try it to see if there is any improvement over the Sony player, you never know.

19-03-2009, 09:33	#18
FOXZFACE Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 190	Hang on a min, your BT vision has optical out your DVD has Co-Ax out, Your sony has, optical in and co-ax in. I dont understand the problem? Or is it me?

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Whats the difference between Digital Optical cable and a Digital Coaxial Cable?