Getting true HD finally set up

[fbrdphreak]

I've got a 42" Vizio 1080p LCD, am ordering the Toshiba HD-A3 and will be getting Time Warner digital HD. I also have a Yamaha HTR-5740 receiver, which appears to have two optical audio inputs (LinkLink).

I'm trying to figure out what cables I need to order. Does this sound right?

HD-A3 to TV: HDMI
HD-A3 to Yamaha: Optical audio

TWC box to TV: HDMI??
TWC box to Yamaha: Optical audio??

Does anyone have a recent TWC HD box? I can't seem to find what connections are on it and the TWC Raleigh website doesn't have anything.

Question about optical audio: is it a safe assumption that I need a cable with TOSLINK connections on both ends?

I'm of course ordering from monoprice.com.

Any other trips? TIA!

 

[Uppsala9496]

Optical is toslink.

You can use the optical cable from the cable box to the receiver (or digital coax if your box doesn't have optical).
You can also run optical from the dvd player to the receiver.

Cable box to tv - HDMI
Cable box to receiver - optical (for audio)

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
Optical is toslink.

You can use the optical cable from the cable box to the receiver (or digital coax if your box doesn't have optical).
You can also run optical from the dvd player to the receiver.

Cable box to tv - HDMI
Cable box to receiver - optical (for audio)

Not necessarily. Optical is a means of transmission. Toslink is a specific type of connector which has its own limitations:

for instance:

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...p?c_id=102&cp_id=10237

These are optical, but not toslink.

 

[fbrdphreak]

^^
That was my understanding as well - TOSLINK is the connector type and you can get optical audio cables with TOSLINK on one end & a diff connector on the other.

 

[Muadib]

I agree with Uppsala9496. When it come to audio, optical = toslink 99.99999% of the time. Here's the cable you need.I linked the 6ft cable because they are out of stock on the 3ft one. That will take care of your HDDVD player, but your cable box is another matter.

Depending on the model you get, your cable box might not have HDMI, toslink, or digital coaxial outputs.

TWC's HD DVR has HDMI & a toslink input, so if that's what you are getting you are good.

Their 4240HDC & 4250HDC models have HDMI & toslink & digital coaxial outputs, so you would be good with these too.

Their 3100HD box only has component outputs for video, and rca outputs for audio. If you are getting this box, no 5.1 sound for you!

Their 3250HD box has DVI & component outputs for video, and a digital coaxial output for audio. This would also work for you, but you need this cable for video, and this one for audio.

You can get the manuals for each model here.

I'm sure that you are getting either the 4240HDC, the 4250HDC, or the HDDVR, but I would call to be sure.

 

[fbrdphreak]

^^
Thanks for the specific info. I'm not getting the DVR box, but hopefully will get one of the HDMI boxes.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Muadib
I agree with Uppsala9496. When it come to audio, optical = toslink 99.99999% of the time. Here's the cable you need.I linked the 6ft cable because they are out of stock on the 3ft one. That will take care of your HDDVD player, but your cable box is another matter.

Depending on the model you get, your cable box might not have HDMI, toslink, or digital coaxial outputs.

TWC's HD DVR has HDMI & a toslink input, so if that's what you are getting you are good.

Their 4240HDC & 4250HDC models have HDMI & toslink & digital coaxial outputs, so you would be good with these too.

Their 3100HD box only has component outputs for video, and rca outputs for audio. If you are getting this box, no 5.1 sound for you!

Their 3250HD box has DVI & component outputs for video, and a digital coaxial output for audio. This would also work for you, but you need this cable for video, and this one for audio.

You can get the manuals for each model here.

I'm sure that you are getting either the 4240HDC, the 4250HDC, or the HDDVR, but I would call to be sure.

Optical only = toslink 99.9999% of the time in consumer goods

One could easily accidentally order the wrong cable from monoprice if he does not understand this.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Muadib
I agree with Uppsala9496. When it come to audio, optical = toslink 99.99999% of the time. Here's the cable you need.I linked the 6ft cable because they are out of stock on the 3ft one. That will take care of your HDDVD player, but your cable box is another matter.

Depending on the model you get, your cable box might not have HDMI, toslink, or digital coaxial outputs.

TWC's HD DVR has HDMI & a toslink input, so if that's what you are getting you are good.

Their 4240HDC & 4250HDC models have HDMI & toslink & digital coaxial outputs, so you would be good with these too.

Their 3100HD box only has component outputs for video, and rca outputs for audio. If you are getting this box, no 5.1 sound for you!

Their 3250HD box has DVI & component outputs for video, and a digital coaxial output for audio. This would also work for you, but you need this cable for video, and this one for audio.

You can get the manuals for each model here.

I'm sure that you are getting either the 4240HDC, the 4250HDC, or the HDDVR, but I would call to be sure.

Optical only = toslink 99.9999% of the time in consumer goods

One could easily accidentally order the wrong cable from monoprice if he does not understand this.

That's why I gave him a link to a cable he could use.

Monoprice has their cheaper 3ft cable in stock.