Optical vs. Coax

[ephesus]

I was looking to get a new DVD player that will play DVD-R's better than my current Pioneer. I've read good things about the Sony DVPNS325. The only thing is that it doesn't have optical outs which is what I am now using to connect to my receiver to get my Dolby Surround and DTS modes. Will I notice a big different between Coax and Optical sound quality? Also, does the coax connection use a standard RCA cable or is there something specifically made for it?

Oh, and if you're wondering what's wrong with my current Pioneer, it seems as though it plays my DVD-R's fine but has problems with them about halfway through if I put a label on them. I use the Avery Afterburner labels and I think they look so much better with the label. So in short, yes, I'd rather buy a new DVD player rather than refrain from using labels.

[Craig Tucker]

There is no noticeable different in quality between the Phono and Optical output.

Some good info on this link

http://www.techtronics.com/uk/shop/510-how-to-hook-up-dvd-player.html


RCA-Phono
There is a slight distinction between Audio and Video outputs that feed through Phono connectors
Video outputs requires Video Phono cables. Important: must be 75Ω (ohms) or where it says digital compatible.
Audio outputs (Analogue) requires Audio interconnect cables. Only exception is Digital Audio outputs, which requires the same cable as the video outputs
Note: both video and audio phonos looks identical.
Some new home cinema phonos are versatile enough to cover both video and audio

[kas187]

my DVD-R's fine but has problems with them about halfway through if I put a label on them.

I'd rather buy a new DVD player rather than refrain from using labels.

OK fair enough comment but what would make you think that you wont have the same problem when you purchase a new DVD player? A lot of people who use labels on DVD's have playback problems, justa thought.

kas187

[mkelley]

Kas187,

You bring up an excellent point -- the poster needs to at least have return priledges on whatever he buys (Wallmart or Best Buy are really good at this -- recently "auditioned" three players before I decided on which one I really wanted :>)

I also think that Pioneer players in general are more finicky than nearly any other player -- I won't buy another Pioneer. My two Pioneer players (admittedly older) don't play my DVDRs nearly as well as any of my other players (Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Apex). I use labels as well, and haven't had any problems with any of my other players with them (for going on two years now). Like the poster, I wouldn't do without them.

[ephesus]

Thanks Craig for the info.

As far as the labels, I've tried them out on my friends newer DVD players and they don't seem to have any problem. My DVD player is about 3 years old now and it seems as though newer DVD player components resemble computer DVD-ROMS, and I've never had any problems playing my DVD-R's on DVD-ROM drives. But then again, I'm probably just talking out of my butt.

[rvl123]

Optical is worse than Co-Ax in theory.

Co-Ax can handle more bandwidth than Optical.

I've also heard some people say that they have had audio "dropouts" (where the sound stops for a couple seconds) that occured with optical whereas when they switched to optical, they were fine.

Most people won't realize the difference, so just go with whatever fits your needs.