Difference between RCA/component and digital coax cables?

What is the difference? I didn't have a digital coax long enough to reach
my sub so used a component video cable in a pinch. I know I can hear a
difference using them but I'm wondering what is the actual difference?

My receiver has 2 coax inputs and 1 optical input; however, I need 2
optical and 1 coax... will an Optical Toslink to Coaxial (RCA) Digital
Audio Converter be a good solution? Does it convert to analog and back to
digital or preserve the digital format?

http://tinyurl.com/vgjrr

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...d=10423&cs_id=
1042302&p_id=2948&seq=1&format=2&style=
--
Mac Cool

Mac Cool wrote:
What is the difference? I didn't have a digital coax long enough to reach
my sub so used a component video cable in a pinch. I know I can hear a
difference using them but I'm wondering what is the actual difference?

My receiver has 2 coax inputs and 1 optical input; however, I need 2
optical and 1 coax... will an Optical Toslink to Coaxial (RCA) Digital
Audio Converter be a good solution? Does it convert to analog and back to
digital or preserve the digital format?

http://tinyurl.com/vgjrr

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...d=10423&cs_id=
1042302&p_id=2948&seq=1&format=2&style=
--
Mac Cool

As far as I know, youre talking about 3 different types. There is RCA
analog (which can carry audio and video), these are low-end. Then
there are component RGB, which carry video, these are used for high-def
and progressive scan. And then there is Digital coax, used for
carrying audio. Digital Coax is just another venue for caryring
digital audio signal.

On 10 Dec 2006 21:16:53 GMT, Mac Cool wrote:

What is the difference?
What they are used for. Actual construction may or may not differ.

I didn't have a digital coax long enough to reach my sub.............
You don't need a 'digital' cable to a sub as that connection is
usually analog.

...... so used a component video cable in a pinch. I know I can hear a
difference using them but I'm wondering what is the actual difference?
What difference do you hear?

My receiver has 2 coax inputs and 1 optical input; however, I need 2
optical and 1 coax... will an Optical Toslink to Coaxial (RCA) Digital
Audio Converter be a good solution?
Yes.

Does it convert to analog and back to
digital or preserve the digital format?
It stays digital.

Kal

On 2006-12-10, Mac Cool wrote:
What is the difference? I didn't have a digital coax long enough to reach
my sub so used a component video cable in a pinch. I know I can hear a
difference using them but I'm wondering what is the actual difference?

My receiver has 2 coax inputs and 1 optical input; however, I need 2
optical and 1 coax... will an Optical Toslink to Coaxial (RCA) Digital
Audio Converter be a good solution? Does it convert to analog and back to
digital or preserve the digital format?

http://tinyurl.com/vgjrr

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...d=10423&cs_id=
1042302&p_id=2948&seq=1&format=2&style=

If you look at the monoprise.com, you should see that some
component cables are rg-59 & the "premium" version is rg-6.

Then I think that some component cables are just "regular"
wire as in 18 gage, 22 gage & may or may not be shielded.

I've even had tried using a "standard" coax with rca adapters as
speaker wire in an attempt to eliminate a hum to the rear speakers
when using headphones. Now believe that it was a problem of a
junkie overpriced ht receiver.

:

There is RCA analog (which can carry audio and video), these are
low-end. Then there are component RGB

Ahh, I didn't know there was a difference in the cables other than
intended purpose.

--
Mac Cool

Kalman Rubinson:
...... so used a component video cable in a pinch. I know I can hear a
difference using them but I'm wondering what is the actual difference?
What difference do you hear?

When using the digital coax the lows come through at a much lower volume
setting than when I use the component cable; in other words, when using
the component I have to turn the volume much higher to get the same
amount of sound.

With coax I set the sub volume at 1/3 and it's plenty. With Component or
RCA (didn't know there was a difference) I have to go at least 2/3 for
the same volume.

Also, the bass just sounds better (crisper/clearer), less boomier (not
sure I have the correct language) when using the digital coax cable.
There is definitely a big difference.

I think the cable I have was labeled as digital coax and subwoofer cable
when I bought it. A guy at Best Buy told me they are the same thing. I
bought mine on clearance at Target for dirt cheap to see if it really
was better than the RCA cable I had been using. Now that I know it's
better I want a longer cable so I can move my sub. Glad I found
monoprice, they are a fraction the price of Best Buy.

Does it convert to analog and back to
digital or preserve the digital format?
It stays digital.

Boss!

--
Mac Cool

"Mac Cool" wrote in message
...
What is the difference? I didn't have a digital coax long enough to
reach
my sub so used a component video cable in a pinch. I know I can hear
a
difference using them but I'm wondering what is the actual
difference?

I doubt you actually hear a difference, although you probably THINK
you do.

Subs don't use digital connections, they're analog only, and they
don't need anything special, just a typical audio cable is all you
need. The difference between a "digital coax" and any other RCA audio
cable is usually just the label on the package.

Any time you see the word digital on it, it usually means they're
charging you more for the word, and the cable is electricaly identical
to any other. I have to laugh when I see "digital" cables where the
only physical difference is usually a thicker insulation layer to make
the cable look big and heavy duty, but the wire inside is the same as
any other.

As for audio and video cables, the difference is usually just
impedance level matching for the devices, like 50ohm for audio and
75ohm for video. But with audio devices it doesn't matter since the
signal is far less than 1MHz, and reflected energy is insignificant -
there is no audible difference beween them for audio connections.

With video connections you want to have decent 75ohm component cables
that match impedance with the video devices to reduce reflected
signals. But you don't need to spend an extra $20-50 per cable for the
word "digital" or fancy cables that have big fat jackets that look
impressive but do nothing more electrically than what a decent $10
cable offers.

The only exception to the above is if you're in a very high EMI area
where you get interference from a transmitter or other electrical
signals. In such areas you want really good shielding in the cables,
and good metal connectors to keep out unwanted noise. But again a good
video cable with both braid and foil shielding doesn't need to cost a
lot.

My receiver has 2 coax inputs and 1 optical input; however, I need 2
optical and 1 coax... will an Optical Toslink to Coaxial (RCA)
Digital
Audio Converter be a good solution?

Yes, the converter will do.

Does it convert to analog and back to
digital or preserve the digital format?

It should preserve the digital signal since both are the same data,
just different form of communication.

--
Happy Holidays!

Bill:

I doubt you actually hear a difference, although you probably THINK
you do.

See one of my replies, I'm not imagining that I have to turn the volume
knob twice as far to get the same volume.
--
Mac Cool

"Mac Cool" wrote in message
...
:

There is RCA analog (which can carry audio and video), these are
low-end. Then there are component RGB

Ahh, I didn't know there was a difference in the cables other than
intended purpose.


There isn't a difference really. Component cables are RCA cables but
75ohm impedance designed for video signals. The term "RCA" refers to
the type of connectors on the end of the wire.

--
Happy Holidays!

On 11 Dec 2006 03:00:40 GMT, Mac Cool wrote:

Kalman Rubinson:
...... so used a component video cable in a pinch. I know I can hear a
difference using them but I'm wondering what is the actual difference?
What difference do you hear?

When using the digital coax the lows come through at a much lower volume
setting than when I use the component cable; in other words, when using
the component I have to turn the volume much higher to get the same
amount of sound.
Amazing. One of the cables must be defective. Perhaps it was crushed
at some time. There should be no such differences, certainly not of
volume or quality that you mention.

Kal