Is there any difference between digital coaxial/dig. optical

[pyrate83]

I am just wondering if there's a diff. in quality between the two? Anybody know?

[thayne]

yeah, optical is better, but to me I cannot tell the difference

[pyrate83]

Me either, I think all this THX certified shit is just a marketing thing and really to the human ear we won't be able to tell the difference between that and regular non thx cert. cable.

[Shocker Milwaukee]

Both digital... but optical still sounds clearer to me. Maybe just 'placebo effect.'

[Hardcoreruss]

I do not want to get into a war here but Digital Coaxial is by far the best, pisses all over optical.

[Conquest10]

Don't know how one can be better than the other. Its all digital. Its either a 1 or a 0.

[Hardcoreruss]

It comes down to the quality of the cable. If all digital signals were the same period then there would only be one type of cable just different lengths.

When I first got into home cinema I used £5 optical cables for my digital interconnects. I now use a £125 digital coaxial.

The main difference is that optical transfers the digital signals in the form of light and coax transfers it in electrical form. For lenths of 4 metres or less it is generally thought that coax is better that optical. Coax is better IMHO as it has less processing on it. Optical is:

OUT-Digital to light- light to Digital- IN

Where Coaxial is:

OUT-Digital-Digital -IN

[Craig Tucker]

In the small amount of reading I have done on the subject, coaxial was stated to be better than optical.

[yoda313]

Hello,
I've had my player hooked up with a fiber optic that sounded perfect. When I got my XBOX I hooked that up via fiber optic and my player via coaxial (it's nice having both options!). My Sony dvd player sounds the SAME on either one.

Kevin

P.S I think THX does have improved sound. Though, probably only noticeable if you have a thx certified sound system (ie BIG BUCKS to spend on it)

-- Also, listen to an old non thx star wars vhs copy then listen to the thx rerelease - BIG Difference (yes I know it was ramped up for the last vhs release prior to special edition but I think thx was a part of it)

[Hardcoreruss]

All depends on the cababilities of the rest of your components. If you only have speakers integrated to your tv you will not be able to tell the difference.

[yoda313]

Hello,

All depends on the cababilities of the rest of your components. If you only have speakers integrated to your tv you will not be able to tell the difference

Uh, if you only have tv speakers why in the world would you use fiber optic/coaxial cables??? They're specifically meant for digital surround sound. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't know of any normal tv that has digital inputs for sound (unless it's hdtv but then it won't have true surround speakers anyway).

Kevin

[Hardcoreruss]

My tv in the front room has optical and coaxial inputs. Lots of tvs now have buit in dd and dts decoders. You use the front 2 speakers as FL and FR and have extra satellites for C, SL and SR. Most have a built in sub also

[yoda313]

Hello,

My tv in the front room has optical and coaxial
inputs. Lots of tvs now have buit in dd and dts decoders. You use the front 2 speakers as FL and FR and have extra satellites for C, SL and SR. Most have a built in sub also

Really? I guess I'm still old school (no hdtv but digital receiver). I still would prefer having the dedicated receiver to ensure crisp sound and thumping bass.

Kevin

[Hardcoreruss]

The sound on it is suprisingly good.

The below is my home cinema room acouple of months a go it looks a lot different now, sorted out the speakers and got a sofa in there.

In there the difference between Coaxial and optical is staggeringly different.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=225676&highlight=annoy+neighbours

[DVD_Ripper]

I remember that thread... was drooling over your set up..... I was so excited a few years back to get my surround sound setup but I can't turn the volume up past 2 cause the wife and I are afraid of waking the kids .... I can't wait till they grow up....

[Hardcoreruss]

It is much better now. Got the rear backs on the wall. Got a two seater all white leather sofa in there with a matching stool. Going to put some shelves up this weekend and finally my pictures.

The volume on my thing is weird it is in DB but counts backwards so when it is at its quietest it is on 80db I watch things between 15 and 20 and that is bloody loud. I have turned it up as high as -5db but the room was really shaking.

I still have not turned mine up full. The volume thing is wierd it lists it in

[pyrate83]

I've got my DVD player hooked up via coaxial and my XBOX via optical and I really can't tell the difference although I have one hell of system. I now am just waiting to get a big screen HDTV and then maybe satellite as well instead of cable. But the sound system cost me quite a bit and it's funny b/c my parents have a home theater in a box and my system that I built sounds so much better it's not even funny.

[Hardcoreruss]

Serpates are much better than box systems.

[pyrate83]

Makes me happy I did that every time I watch a movie in DTS surround. :P

[Hardcoreruss]

Did what?

[pyrate83]

Built my own system and didn't buy one of those Home Theater In A Box setups.

[Hardcoreruss]

Sorry, yeah that is definitely the way to go. What makes are your seperates ?

..and wheres the Buckeye State ?

[yoda313]

Hello,

..and wheres the Buckeye State ?

Ohio, USA. Ugh!

Kevin

---Just kidding!----

[pyrate83]

Sorry, yeah that is definitely the way to go. What makes are your seperates ?

..and wheres the Buckeye State ?

Ohio, yeah. As for my system, it's a mix of components. Pioneer Receiver with custom made floor standing speakers for my fronts. The other speakers aren't quite as good but still produce great sound. Overall, the system was still under $1000.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Ohio, yeah. As for my system, it's a mix of components. Pioneer Receiver with custom made floor standing speakers for my fronts. The other speakers aren't quite as good but still produce great sound. Overall, the system was still under $1000.

Look at that, just like a buck! Completely ignoring my insult! Just wait unitl November when UM kicks Ohios butt!

Kevin

[ofbarea]

I am just wondering if there's a diff. in quality between the two? Anybody know?

They carry the same signal. If the coax connector does not have galvanic isolation (sort of a filter that blocks the flow of low voltage galvanic -DC- current), then Toslink is better. If Toslink interface is made of “elchapo” parts, then COAX is better.

Keep in mind that Toslink fiber optics have a large quantity of light attenuation reducing the maximum length of the cable to around 10 meters. Good COAX cables ($$$) allow lengths of over 15 meters.

In general both interfaces have the same quality. The real winner here is the AES/EBU interface, with support of very long cables and no SCMS protection.