Digital optical vs. digital coaxial cord

[coody]

An LCD TV and home theater system provide the digital optical or digital coaxial cord connection. What cord connection is better for the audio and what is the difference between two connections? Thanks for the answer.

[edDV]

They both produce equal signal spec (SPDIF). Small differences,

Coax is cheaper especially for long cables. Standard video coax can be used.

Optical provides electrical isolation eliminating chance of ground loop hum.

[aedipuss]

no difference. the same signal goes over either.

[yoda313]

Yep no difference. At least none that I've been able to tell. I have most of my equipment connected by fiberoptic but sometimes I use coax because that is the only option on the given hardware. They both produce digital sound (surround sound if its encoded that way).

I would take eddv's recommendation into consideration if the length of the cable is going to be an issue.