Optical/Coaxial audio adapter

[Frobozz]

This won't concern most folks but a few who are shopping for a standalone DVR may be interested.

My stereo receiver only has the coaxial input for Dolby Digital AC-3 sound. I don't want a new receiver because it also has the AC-3 input for Laserdiscs, which is a rather rare item.

I thought I had to buy a DVR with coaxial digital audio output and that also was the opinion of any sales people I talked to. Then I saw an adapter at Radio Shack that sells for about $15 (model 15-1228). It converts optical to coaxial or the other way around. The guy at Radio Shack couldn't figure out any use for it and I had to repeatedly convince him it was what I needed. It works brilliantly in converting the optical output from either my Pioneer DVR or my HD cable box to the coaxial input on the receiver. You also need the appropriate cables and plug the adapter's power supply into an AC outlet.

[Capmaster]

This won't concern most folks but a few who are shopping for a standalone DVR may be interested.

My stereo receiver only has the coaxial input for Dolby Digital AC-3 sound. I don't want a new receiver because it also has the AC-3 input for Laserdiscs, which is a rather rare item.

I thought I had to buy a DVR with coaxial digital audio output and that also was the opinion of any sales people I talked to. Then I saw an adapter at Radio Shack that sells for about $15 (model 15-1228). It converts optical to coaxial or the other way around. The guy at Radio Shack couldn't figure out any use for it and I had to repeatedly convince him it was what I needed. It works brilliantly in converting the optical output from either my Pioneer DVR or my HD cable box to the coaxial input on the receiver. You also need the appropriate cables and plug the adapter's power supply into an AC outlet.

Very handy tip, Frobozz, and it might save someone a lot of grief.

Your experience is a good reason why it's best to do your homework before walking into Radio Shack. Countless times I've discussed the finer points of RF or digital logic, and left them muttering "Wow ..I didn't know that" You can't count on salespeople to know their products