• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Coaxial cables all the same?

Sonikku

Sonikku

Lifer
I have a soundbar that I want to hook up to my tv but it doesn't have optical. (nor does the sound bar have an hdmi in) The tv does have an orange colored output however, coaxial I think it's called according to google. As I want digital audio going to the sound bar it seems preferable over a headphone jack or red and white stereo cables.

But here's the rub; I did a google search on coaxial cables and it looks like the same stiff black cable I screw into my internet modem. The orange audio input on my tv however looks like something you just push in. Are these two different kinds of cables or can one of my black screw in cables fit without damaging the tv?
 
What's the terminator look like?

RCA fat guy or really thin, needle-like with a threading thing?
 
Sonikku said:
I have a soundbar that I want to hook up to my tv but it doesn't have optical. (nor does the sound bar have an hdmi in) The tv does have an orange colored output however, coaxial I think it's called according to google. As I want digital audio going to the sound bar it seems preferable over a headphone jack or red and white stereo cables.

But here's the rub; I did a google search on coaxial cables and it looks like the same stiff black cable I screw into my internet modem. The orange audio input on my tv however looks like something you just push in. Are these two different kinds of cables or can one of my black screw in cables fit without damaging the tv?
Click to expand...


Don't stick the wrong thin in there.

29114a.jpg
 
Coax will be round with a tiny hole in the center:

coax-jack.jpg


What TV do you have? I don't think what you're describing is a coax input...
 
Looks like this.

vShajly.jpg


Alright. So I guess there are two completely different cables BOTH called Coaxial... I rather wish my tv had an optical. EVERYBODY knows what you're talking about when you say optical. But when I put "digital coaxial" into a newegg or amazon search box it can't seem to make up its mind which is which.
 
Last edited:
thesmokingman said:
^^RG6 connector. His orange connector is a spdif or digital coaxial cable.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

What's the difference between this an a typical optic input? A quick google actually shows spdif can be transmitted over an optic cable, just a different connector. Why can't they just settle on one connector? 🙁
 
Regular rca cables work fine. It's a simple spdif signal, no high frequency stuff that needs extreme shielding.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S/PDIF

Edit: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/S-PDIF-Sony-Philips-Digital-Interface

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=1059959

Edit2:
2009-12-27_013037_Gefen.jpg


Edit3:
TerryMathews said:
Personally, I think any short modern cable will cut it as long as you're not watching a DVD inside Chernyobl.

Sure signal jitter is a problem, as is reflection. That being said, 6ft of copper wrapped in rubber/plastic is not going to pick up that much interference, and reflection should be a non-issue.

If your reciever is really that picky, I think there's something wrong with your reciever.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Sonikku said:
Looks like this.

vShajly.jpg


Alright. So I guess there are two completely different cables BOTH called Coaxial... I rather wish my had an optical. EVERYBODY knows what you're talking about when you say optical. But when I put "digital coaxial" into a newegg or amazon search box it can't seem to make up its mind which is which.
Click to expand...

Coax is just the type of cable. There are many different connectors that can be put on the end of it. A TV/cable connection uses F connectors, or analog security cameras would use BNC, etc.
 
You need a rg-59 cable terminated with RCA connectors. RG-6 is too stiff and too thick to fit a RCA connector on.
 
Sonikku said:
Looks like this.

vShajly.jpg


Alright. So I guess there are two completely different cables BOTH called Coaxial... I rather wish my tv had an optical. EVERYBODY knows what you're talking about when you say optical. But when I put "digital coaxial" into a newegg or amazon search box it can't seem to make up its mind which is which.
Click to expand...

Optical SPDIF has narrower bandwidth than coax.
 
Last edited:
Sonikku said:
Looks like this.



Alright. So I guess there are two completely different cables BOTH called Coaxial... I rather wish my tv had an optical. EVERYBODY knows what you're talking about when you say optical. But when I put "digital coaxial" into a newegg or amazon search box it can't seem to make up its mind which is which.
Click to expand...


Hehe, they also call optical cables toslink. There's a duality here with cables it seems.
 
"Coaxial" just means there's an inner wire and an outer wire. The outer wire is usually braided and acts as ground.

All your RCA composite AV jacks are technically "coaxial."

But most people think of RG-6/RG-59 and F-type connectors when you say "coaxial."

S/PDIF digital audio can be carried over an RCA plug (coaxial) or a fiber-optic cable. Regardless, the quality is identical because it's digital.
 
Sonikku said:
Looks like this.

vShajly.jpg


Alright. So I guess there are two completely different cables BOTH called Coaxial... I rather wish my tv had an optical. EVERYBODY knows what you're talking about when you say optical. But when I put "digital coaxial" into a newegg or amazon search box it can't seem to make up its mind which is which.
Click to expand...

Search should include "S/PDIF" (Sony/Philips Digital InterFace).
 
"Co-axial" meaning "shares the same center axis." Any cable or connector where the outer shielding is a conductor around a center conductor is coaxial. So, yes, many incompatible cables can be referred to as "coaxial."
 
Schmide said:
Regular rca cables work fine. It's a simple spdif signal, no high frequency stuff that needs extreme shielding.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S/PDIF

Edit: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/S-PDIF-Sony-Philips-Digital-Interface

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=1059959

Edit2:
2009-12-27_013037_Gefen.jpg


Edit3:
Click to expand...

So I could use the red and white rca connectors for sound instead and suffer no loss in quality? I have tons of those cables already.

balloonshark said:
According to your soundbar it comes with the cable.
Click to expand...

I got it second hand from a friend that was moving.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top