Got my first Dolby receiver, need advice on DVD hookup...

[DVantrease]

I realize this is off VCD topic, but I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. I just got my first stereo receiver with Dolby Digital, and I have a few questions on how to hook things up. I am new to learning audio stuff. What I want to do it hook up both my Apex DVD player and my digital cable converter box to the receiver. Both of these have both composite audio and digital coaxial audio outputs (no optical). The new receiver has one digital coaxial audio input (plus opticals & composites). I got this one because it was a marked-down store demo.

1. I'm assuming in order to get surround sound, I need to use the digital coaxial hookup, correct? Now it looks like a regular RCA connection. Can I use a regular RCA cord to connect the DVD to the receiver? I remember once at CircuitCity they were telling me I'd need a $40 digital coaxial cable, I didnt know if thats true or just a sales pitch. I've also seen 'digital audio' cables in the $15 price range, although they dont say 'coaxial'. I dont know what I really need, and the manual is vague.

2. Since I want to hook up both my digital cable box and my DVD player to the receiver and only have one digital audio input, is there a way to do this? Can I use a Y-cable, even if it ends up I have to use digital coaxial cables? Is there a risk of damage of doing it this way, if say both componants are powered on together?

Thanks guys...

[TeeeRex]

DVantrease,

In answer to your 2nd question - no you can't use a Y cable or things will go horribly wrong - possibly damaging your equipment in the process. Possibly you could use a switching device (which isolates the source) but I'm not sure if these are avialble. I'm surprised it only has one digital input anyway ... ?

'coaxial' is simply the term to describe the makeup of the cable - ie signal cable inside with a 'shield' cable outside - protecting the inside cable from interference. You can use a standard RCA lead and it will work - however the higher quality the cable, the less intererence it will get from outside sources.

I suggest you try a cheap RCA lead to see if it works (I use optical so I can't say for sure..) - if it does great... it certainly won't do any harm.

Personally for digital cables I don;t see the need to high cost cables as a 1 is a 1 and a 0 a 0 - for video however (RGB,SVideo,Composite etc) (analogue at the end of the day) the higher the quality of cable, the higher quality the image will be.

TeeeRex

[DVantrease]

Thanks for all your comments (here and email), I learned alot and I got what I needed. Funny thing... I went to 3 different electronics stores, and all 3 told me I need a high-end $40 cable. One store (initials B.B.) even told me thats all the digital coaxial cables they carry. Frustrated, I walked to the other end of the store, where I found a 'digital coaxial audio' cable for 9.99 . Took it home and surprise, it works perfectly. DD 5.1 sounds awesome! Friggin sales bs...

I was told to not use the Y-cable, but turns out I didnt need it anyways. Found out my cable company supports surroundsound but not digital surround, and I get regular surround (prologic) using rca cords.

Thanks again!

[jmproductions]

I have use a normal piece of coaxial and 2 adapter for ratshack to make it rca and it works great. i have had this setup for over 2 years like this.

[ViperXT]

hey jm you're not alone. I use coax cable for long runs because you can get it cheaper and it is more resistant to interference, and the end adaptors are dirt cheap.