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Thread: Coaxial Digital Connection Vs Digital Fiber Optical Connection? |
    
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| Posted on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 09:01 pm: |
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I have been wondering since I bought AV receiver a month ago that
1. What is the real difference between Coaxial Digital Connection and Digital Fiber Optical Connection?
2. Which is latest and better? How?
Any real good information is appreciated!
Thanks! |
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Relevant Product Info
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Anonymous |
| Posted on Thursday, November 21, 2002 - 08:01 pm: |
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Coaxial and Optical are the same over short runs. Over very long runs, Optical is better at preserving the signal, since it has a lower amount of signal degradation. |
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| Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2003 - 07:48 pm: |
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hi all ..
i am a student from saudi arabia can u help me to give me report data sheet about( optical fiber connection and splicing) between 4- 8 pages.
please help me quiclly. |
RayBan |
| Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 04:35 pm: |
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one of the DIFFERENCES is an optical cable needs to have the signal converted to light pulses and the coaxial cable will pass along the digital signal without any conversion. |
Derek |
| Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 11:35 am: |
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When correctly connected, Coax and Optical should be exactly the same. Bandwidth isn't and issue, error correction (when connected correctly) isn't and issue. Distance, say over 50 feet might lean toward optical but who does that? Optical cables can be miles long compared to copper's hundreds of feet for the same amount of signal loss. Optical cable can be fragile and cannot be taken around corners too tightly or pinched. For all intents and purposes though, it doesn't make a difference which one you use.
Now, having said that, there are a couple of situation where one MIGHT be better than the other. They both fall under "defective equipment" though.
1. The CD data, though optical, is converted to a electrical signal. To create an optical signal, this elctrical signal - essentially the coax signal, has to be convered to optical by a laser-diode. You could theorize that am optical signal could not be superior to a coax signal because it is derived from the coax signal. I would not worry about it though.
2. Optical connections do not carry grounds. In a pooly designed system an optical connection COULD produce less hum because there are fewer ground paths. The music to the decoder would not be any better but a crappy amp could add hum to an otherwise pristine music signal just before it got to the speakers. This hum would be faily obvious though.
Again, if you have good equipment, use either one. |
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| Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 07:06 am: |
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I am currently connecting my DVD player to my AV Yamaha amp by means of digital coax. However, my DVD has Dig Coax out, and the only input for digital coax on my AV amp is for CD. Although when playing DVD's I have to set the audio input to be CD, the amp will recognise a Dolby Digital signal but it will NOT recognise a DTS signal. I'm assuming thats because the CD digital in does not pass through a DTS decoder.
Any thoughts? |
Derek |
| Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 08:25 am: |
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Does you Yamaha do DTS decoding. You would be supprised at how many receivers don't. |
Anonymous |
| Posted on Thursday, July 03, 2003 - 02:19 pm: |
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Nick,
1) Check the settings on your DVD player regarding DTS output.
2) Make certain the input settings for the CD input is set to "Auto". On my Yamaha 730, this is done by pushing the CD input.
Hope this helps |
Brett W |
| Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 05:39 pm: |
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NIK: I just asked Yamaha about RX-V740 CD coax port (only one available, 2 on higher-up mnodels!!), and they say it can be used for any digital audio source and will decode DD/DTS. I can also re-assign this port to a different input (e.g. so CBL or D-TV use this port). |
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Tony Jacklin Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 02:59 pm: |
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Brett: I have the same problem as nik but with a yamaha rxv440. How do you switch the port to a different input, eg DVD? Any other tips about how to ensure that the DVD DTS or DOlby Digital signal is getting properly decoded over the CD Coaxial input?
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| Posted on Monday, January 26, 2004 - 03:34 pm: |
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I would guess it's the same on the RX-V440, but on my RX-V740 you can change the input on the "DVD" input to use input "1D" I believe which is the digital coaxial. I have set it like this and it works like a charm.. so I can select DVD and have it pickup the signal from the port labeled "CD" on the back of the receiver.(digital coax) and again, should probably be a similar setup on the RX-V440. just read the manual (hopefully you still have) |
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| Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 03:49 pm: |
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Why is the bandwidth of a fiber optical cable higher then of a coaxial cable>? |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Monday, September 13, 2004 - 11:24 am: |
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Hi
I'm going to buy a Bose Lifestyle 12 Series II to a friend, I want to know if I connect a DVD through the digital coaxil the system will decode 5.1 sound and play it in a proper way like if I had a DVD with home theater included. |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 10:50 am: |
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My home theatre system had "satalite"- "DVD" digital optical out. If I run two optical out to a sony digital optical switcher and then connect out put to digital optical receiver and another to Sony infared wireless Dolby DTS surround sound headphones, will my optical connection be superior to connecting to analog headphone jack connections?? Will it be true DTS Dolby Surround sound |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 09:42 pm: |
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because these connections are digital, they cannot produce hum. there should be no difference in quality between these mediums, unless your sending over large distances. in this case, use optical: it is immune to radio interference (which probably makes little difference any way) and has less signal degridaton. |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 02:41 pm: |
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I will be purchasing Denon 2910 DVD and 3805 receiver. What are the differences / advantages between the 5.1 channel out and digital out connections on the DVD player? |
Silver Member Username: Arnold_layne
Madrid
Spain
Post Number: 278
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2004 - 05:17 pm: |
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The S/PDIF (coaxial or digital) interconnect max bitrate is too low to handle SACD and DVD-A. Therefore a 5.1 analogue interconnect is often seen on player and receivers.
More recent digital interconnects, such as HDMI, handles easily SACD and DVD-A bitstream. At least in theory, I'm not sure it has been implemented yet.
Cheers
AL
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E. Ramsey Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, January 07, 2005 - 04:22 pm: |
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Actually Mr. Lane bit rate has nothing to do with the cable type. Bit rate or amount is determined by the processor, the integrated circuit that is responsible for the digital signal output. A coaxial or optical is used for 24 bit 96khz or 192khz audio, so it in effect would be quite capable of handling the output of a dvd audio processor output which is up to 24 bit 192khz. The reason these formats (dvd audio, sacd) use an analog output is a matter of piracy. Record companies do not want consumers to be able to digitally copy dvd audio or sacd in its pure digital form. Also the outputs are analog so that the signal will have the linear smoothness of analog. E. Ramsey AAS industrial electronics |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 01:28 am: |
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One of the cons of optical is that it must get converted right? But doesn't coax get converted before it is sent to the speakers by the receiver (from digital to speaker wire signal)? If it is not converted, then why not use coax cables from the receiver to each speaker? |
Silver Member Username: Arnold_layne
Madrid
Spain
Post Number: 299
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 06:37 am: |
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Yes, there is a digital to analogue conversion. Speakers (as we know them...) need an amplified analogue signal. The benefit of digital interconnect is to transfer bitstream all the way to receiver and convert it there, just before pre-amplification stage.
Cheers
AL |
E.Ramsey Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 01:14 pm: |
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Gibranoptical, a coaxial digital signal,like a optical digital signal, must be converted to analog for the pre-amplification stage before being sent to the amplifier then to the speakers. E. Ramsey AAS industrial electronics |
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| Posted on Monday, February 21, 2005 - 05:21 pm: |
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Hi,
Does anyone knows whats the diffrent between a digital coaxial cable to a regular/video RCA coaxial 75Ohm cable?
Thanks
OOD. |
E. Ramsey Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 10:26 pm: |
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Yes. A coaxial digital cable has a solid conductor, whereas a standard rca connector"red-white" has a stranded connector. E. Ramsey AAS industrial electronics |
E. Ramsey Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 10:30 pm: |
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OOPS! Sorry anonymous,I meant a stranded "conductor" not connector. E. Ramsey AAS industrial electronics. |
J. Vigne Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 11:26 pm: |
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http://www.meridian-audio.com/g_bro_gseries.htm
Not many Americans know Meridian well. They have been at the front of digital audio product development for the last twenty years. Their MLP (Meridian Lossless Packing) is the mandated standard for DVD Audio. To my knowledge they are the only audio company that can provide a true digital path from the source to the point where the signal leaves the X-over in the loudspeakers to finally be sent to the individual drivers as an analog signal.
From the Meridian web site: "G Series components are the ideal companions for the extensive range of Meridian DSP Loudspeakers, resulting in a digital stereo or surround theatre system in which the signal path is digital from beginning to end, conversion to analogue occurring only as the final step."
http://www.meridian-audio.com/g_bro_gseries.htm
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skool girl Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 08:27 pm: |
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hey there,
i doing work for skool and need to no wat the difference between digital and analogue technology is?Applling o a computer. |
New member Username: Eramsey
South carolina
United States
Post Number: 4
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 09:29 pm: |
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Yep, J.Vigne, I have heard of Meridian-(a Boyd Stuart Co.) as they make one of the finest digital surround pre/pros that money can buy. E. Ramsey AAS industrial electronics |
da_killer Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 02:52 am: |
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on my stereo i have somethink called a "digital optical out" for connecting it to an MD deck.-if i wanted to connect this to the normal input port of a computer what would i need to do it? |
Silver Member Username: Arnold_layne
Madrid
Spain
Post Number: 342
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 12:18 pm: |
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You would need a sound card with "digital optical in". Check that both units work with same format (i.e. Toslink).
Cheers
AL |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2005 - 07:29 pm: |
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Hello,
I have a CD player and DVD player that have digital output capability (via Coax) along with a receiver that can input both. Since I noticed that the digital coaxial cables have he exact same connectors as regular old RCA cables, I decided to try using an old $2 cable instead of running out and spending $30 on a 3' coaxial cable. Everything appears to be working fine. Personally, I doubt there would be bandwidth issues over a 3' range.
However, I am uncertain as to any impedence mismatch problems that could occur (if any). Is there any reason why I shouldn't be using a regular old RCA cable? Is there any possibility of damaging my equipment by doing so?
Thanks.
Mark Alan |
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| Posted on Sunday, May 08, 2005 - 09:46 am: |
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There is definitely a risk of damage to the electronics. There is a reason the component cables are expensive. Not to mention the fact that they are heavily shielded. |
J Stone Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, June 04, 2005 - 12:36 pm: |
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Here's s ques...
I have a Sony STR-DE697 7.1 receiver and just bought an LG DVB418 dvd player. I am connecting the dvd player to the amp via optical cable into the Video 2 slot. The problem is that the amp won't detect the multi-channel like it once did w/ my piece of crap Sharp dvd player. It will only accept Left ffron, right front, and sub....what the nuts? |
J Stone Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, June 04, 2005 - 12:36 pm: |
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Here's s ques...
I have a Sony STR-DE697 7.1 receiver and just bought an LG DVB418 dvd player. I am connecting the dvd player to the amp via optical cable into the Video 2 slot. The problem is that the amp won't detect the multi-channel like it once did w/ my piece of crap Sharp dvd player. It will only accept Left ffron, right front, and sub....what the nuts? |
New member Username: Sambottros
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jun-05
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| Posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 - 10:57 pm: |
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Digital and analogue interconnects appear to be very similar. However, digital coaxial outputs require a cable with an impedance of 75 Ohms to perform at their best. The two most commonly found digital outputs on CD and DVD players are coaxial and optical. A coaxial signal is transmitted electrically, whilst an optical signal is transmitted via light pulses along a fibre optic cable, fitted with a Toslink connector. As a general rule, if you have the option, the digital coaxial connector produces a better sound than the optical.
The other connection option that is occasionally found on some equipment is called AES EBU. In this case the connection is made with 3 pin XLR connectors and the impedance is set at 110 Ohms.
The same rules that are used to choose an analogue interconnect apply to digital interconnects. Despite the fact that digital connectors are only transferring digital data, the construction and design of the digital cable affects the tonal, rhythmic and dynamic performance qualities every bit as much as analogue interconnects do. |
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| Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 08:34 pm: |
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Are there switches for digital coaxial cable. I am trying to use to cd players into one coaxial input. A switch would allow me to use bothe units with digital sound.
I hope this is not a dumb question |
New member Username: Brokenamp
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jun-05
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| Posted on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 12:41 pm: |
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I recently purchased an Amp and through stupidy managed to break the trap door which is used by the amp to keep the audio fiber secure. I am considering just switching to coax so I do not have the expense of repairing the fiber connection. I know even though it was dumb the trap door is really a poor design. |
New member Username: Mrjazzjr
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jun-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 03:38 pm: |
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I have searched for a 3.5mm mini plug adapter to use with a coaxial audio cable. I hope someone can direct me to a source. |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 11:25 pm: |
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I recently bought a pair of RADIA 520 speakers, two pair of Von Schweikert wall speakers and one Von S. center speaker. What processor and amplifier should I get to optimize these speakers for my home theater system? |
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| Posted on Saturday, July 02, 2005 - 04:40 am: |
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The coaxial output is likely to be better quality with higher end equipment because it is jitter free, unlike the optical output. The signal gets transported better. The significant changes in audio I have heard when differentiating coaxial and optical were generally a fuller sound, with more life, not as neutral and analytical as the optical one.
Hope that helps |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 06:36 am: |
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Hi Guys, I have a Digital Optical cable running from my Sony DVD Player to the back of my Sony HiFi. This worked great for a while then suddenly stopped working. Am I right in thinking that these cables are very fragile and if bent too much can break inside and stop working? Or could it be either unit which has decided to suddenly stop playing? When the DVD Player is on, there is a red light coming out of the Digital Out socket. If I plug one end of the cable into this, am I meant to see the light at the other end of the cable or am I being Immensley stupid?! |
Brett R. Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, September 09, 2005 - 05:16 pm: |
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Coaxial is ALWAYS better than Tos-Link (optical). Optical has a higher amount of jitter (timing error). Also, Optical has to be converted from digital to light, then back from light to digital on the other end. Too much conversion going on there. Optical usually tends to be more brighter, and harsher sounding. Coaxial has a smoother presentation, and has better frequency coherancy; due too having and electrical based interface, and less jitter. |
Bronze Member Username: Diverhank
Huntington Beach, CA
Post Number: 13
Registered: Sep-05
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| Posted on Saturday, September 10, 2005 - 03:07 pm: |
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Brett, I thought the info from a cd and DVD originally is optical not digital so your data on the digital coax has already been converted already, it's not pure. Also, Jitter affects all digital data, not isolated to optical cables and jitter can be easily filtered out. I agree with some posters herein that the quality of the conversion circuitry of your device is much more important than the type of cable (coax/toslink). |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 08:38 pm: |
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Darran,
Be sure you have not accidently changed the input selection on your Sony reciever. It should be set to either AUTO or Fiber (some abbrev. name like "fbr cbl?).
Maybe one of your kids was playing with it, I know mine always tend to cause this type of mischievous problems. |
Darran Beard Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 02:06 pm: |
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Thanks for the advise Jess but if that was the case I would be extremley worried as I was not aware I had kids!!!
Anyway there does not appear to be an option available like that. I do recall it initially made a continous deep noise when trying to play that eventually cut out and nothing heard from it since. |
D Singh Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 03:00 am: |
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Optical cables over longer runs will tend to create what we in the home theater area call "sparklies", that is little chirps in the sound representation. Because optical cables send information as light and some high-end optical cables utilize glass in the inside to reflect the signal, over a longer distance (over 50 ft) the internal reflection and data loss becomes larger and lost data can never be restored. As a result, little sparklies can be heard through the speakers. The digital coaxial utilizes a more robust type of signal transfer over the long distances (if you don't believe me all digital cable and satellite companies use RG-6 coaxial cables to send their data). For short runs, however (for the most part 6 ft or less), both cables will have similar results, with the optical able to carry a little more bandwidth which translates into a little more sound reproduction. |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 09:19 am: |
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what are the main features of the OSI? and what determines the architecture of a network? |
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| Posted on Friday, September 30, 2005 - 06:13 pm: |
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http://forum.ecoustics.com/cgi-bin/bbs/show.pl?tpc=5&post=452085#POST452085
http://forum.ecoustics.com/cgi-bin/bbs/show.pl?tpc=5&post=452085#POST452085
If Optical cables are only for short runs then why are all of the communication cables that travel across the bottom of the ocean optical??
They dont use plastic fiber however. |
Silver Member Username: Eramsey
South carolina
United States
Post Number: 326
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 03:57 am: |
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Anon: First of all what D Signh is referring to "sparklies" is actually known as "jitter". This is identifiable as a very short "chirp" or as an audible split second loss of signal. Another benefit of a coaxial digital cable is that is has a much higher bandwith up in the gigaHertz range rather than optical which is only the full audio bandwith 20Hz-20KHz for home audio . Optical cables offer much in the same way of performance that coaxial cables do for short lengths. With longer lengths however, coaxial runs are better because they are less subject to jitter. Also since the light pulses have to be converted to an electrical signal whereas the coaxial signal is already in electrical form,this adds an extra step to the to the process for an optical signal. This can result in more timing errors which are the root cause of jitter and signal loss. Comparing the less than 1V p-p signal of an optical cable after conversion to an electrical signal to the huge bundles of fine quality optical glass runs on the ocean floor and the requisite system to power such is like comparing a jon boat to the Titanic. |
New member Username: Shertzerj
Post Number: 1
Registered: Oct-05
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| Posted on Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 08:26 pm: |
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Speaking of problems with optical inputs, has anybody ever been able to fix an optical input "door" that's been broken? On my decent Onkyo receiver, I had to remove the three optical cables from the unit the other day for the first time, and when I did, two of the doors broke. Right now they're being precariously held in place in the back of the unit with electrical tape. This is a terrible design, but is there a way to fix the doors or at least give the cables better support? Thank you. |
Dr Daniel Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Sunday, October 02, 2005 - 01:19 pm: |
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Hi, I have a Sanyo DVD player with Digital optical out and a Hitachi 5-1 Surround speaker kit with DD amplifier with a Digital coaxial in. Have anyone used a convertor to convert optical to coaxial and what the pro and con? Thank. |
Installer. Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 04:25 am: |
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the conversion rate takes time.
on some earlier posts id just like to say this.
fibre optics travels at 1 metre per second the only thing faster isnt even used for audio purposes. how ever even though fibre can be laid out for miles you have to have a signal booster every kilometer or the signal degredation will make the signal unusable. at distances of 10 - 2000 feet the human ear cant hear the difference speed makes in any type of cable. the only thing you really need to worry about is the connection points and how many times you plan on moving it. also a rule of thumb is that fibre has a minimal bend radius of 8 inches, however if you have ever installed any you know that the reality is about a 2 - 3 inch minimal bend radius. also depending on the grade of the cble jacketing it isnt that fragile....i once witnessed a 175lb man jump up and down repeatedly on 1 after i had got it caught hard core in a crack on the real (perhaps at a bend radius of .0015 inches at about 50lbs of preasure) and it didnt break and tested clean. fibre is cool and all but unless you are using it for internet connection you are wasting your money.
a 62.5 micron cable can carry multiple light streams at different wavelengths each stream capable of carrying 10,000,000 phone conversations. |
Bronze Member Username: D_singh
Post Number: 35
Registered: Sep-05
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| Posted on Saturday, November 05, 2005 - 04:43 am: |
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Installer...
Fiber optics utilizes light. Light travels exponentially faster than 1 m/s. In fact, the speed of light is aroung 300000000, or 3 X 10^8 m/s.
If you're talking conversion of signal, then you may be right, BUT, electrons in conducting material also travel MUCH faster than 1 m/s. I think typical drift velocity of an electron flowing through copper wire is 1000000 m/s, or 1 X 10^6 m/s. |
Installer. Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 03:32 pm: |
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well mr singh you need to go tell the guys that write the manuals how fast light travels. umm oh yea light doesnt travel at a constant speed 1st off secondly the figures you have thrown out suget you are using as a medium a nonfriction vacume style layout. also you must remember that the light will not be travelling in a strait line it will be reflecting off the walls. and back to my original point light doesnt travel at a constant rate of speed it has in fact been found that some particles of light travel as fast as 35 MPH. do your homework friend thats what google is for. |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Thursday, November 24, 2005 - 10:20 am: |
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We recenlty got Digital Cable with the converter box that has a coaxial digital out on the back. My Sony reciever has one Optical Digital and one Coaxial Digital out. I've got a Sony DVD that has one of each also. My DVD manual shows me connecting both optical and coaxial outs to the back of the reciever not leaving me room for my cable converter box. My question is do I need both lines coming from the back of the DVD to the reciever or can I use just the optical and get the same sound quality? Or do I need both connections to properly decode? If I need both, then can I run a splitter on the recievers Coaxial Digital out and connect both the cable box coaxial digital out and the DVD player coaxial digital out? Thank you for you help. This is all too confusing for a novice! |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, December 09, 2005 - 04:55 pm: |
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Hi! I have creative audigy 2 Nx, and Speakers: Creative inspire 7.1 TD 7700 (with decoder) with optical connection. Could anybody please tell me why Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Ex doesn't work ????? |
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