Newsgroups: rec.audio.tech
Subject: Re: Help - coax or optical?
References: <[email protected]> 
Andrew Rossmann  writes:

> [This followup was posted to rec.audio.tech and a copy was sent to the 
> cited author.]
> 
> In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] 
> says...
> > Is digital optical cable or digital coax the preferred way to go with DVD
> > audio or does it not matter?
> 
>   Coax is cheaper. 

That's true.

> Optical may be a bit better for very long runs, but 
> also very expensive. 

Optical as implemented in DVD digital audio is not better for long
runs. The plastic optical cable used in this application has high
attenuation and will attenuate the signal faster than coax on long
runs! There are many types if optical cables and components
which connect to the ends of the cablesm but the ones selected
for digital audio (Toslink) are not the ones suitable for long
distance transmission. Telecommunication applications which run
high speed signals over long optical fibers use different fiber
type, differnt fiber material, different signal wavelengths and
different transmitter/receiver pairs than digital audio.

Optical is better in avoiding ground loops if those are expected to 
become a problem.

> For most uses, there will typically be no 
> difference. 

That's true.

> Use coax that is rated for video. Don't waste money on 
> 'digital' coax.

You are right for this. The same 75 ohm coaxial cable
that is used for video is excellent for digital audio
also (that's the cable those digital audio systems
are designed to use).

-- 
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at 
http://www.epanorama.net/