coaxial digital input cable question
12-08-03, 01:34 AM
#1
Cool New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
coaxial digital input cable question
I plugged a standard video rca cable [free from my cable company (Cox Cable)] into the digital coxial out of my new scientific atlanta explorer 8000 dvr Plugged it into the input on my reciever and it seems to work great. My reciever was registering dolby 5.1 coming in.
My question is why if a standard rca cable works are the digital coaxial cables so expensive? I relise that different brands charge different prices for their cables in general. Is this price difference just marketing. Or am I missing something?
My question is why if a standard rca cable works are the digital coaxial cables so expensive? I relise that different brands charge different prices for their cables in general. Is this price difference just marketing. Or am I missing something?
12-08-03, 01:45 AM
#2
Administrator
I'd like to hear the answer to this question myself. I think they're so expensive because that's what the market will bear.
There may be some occasions where the cheapie cable is marginal due to length or other factors. But if it consistently works without problems why would you need a "better" cable?
Encoded signals such as DD or DTS should either work or not work. Considerations such as jitter shouldn't be a factor with those types of signals.
There may be some occasions where the cheapie cable is marginal due to length or other factors. But if it consistently works without problems why would you need a "better" cable?
Encoded signals such as DD or DTS should either work or not work. Considerations such as jitter shouldn't be a factor with those types of signals.
12-08-03, 02:39 AM
#3
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: May 1999
Location: USA
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A decent Composite (Video RCA) cable (NOT a Audio RCA cable) has all the bandwidth a digital audio signal needs! Those SPECIAL digital cables are nothing really special at all! They re-label decent video composite cables to digital cables and quadruple the price for those who do not know their dirty little secret! If you get no dropouts in your audio you are good to go!
12-08-03, 06:59 AM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
If you get no dropouts in your audio you are good to go!
12-08-03, 11:13 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As Brian said, the shielding and connectors are the main reason. The gold plated connectors are supposed to get a better connection, therefore a better signal. The shielding............. materials used, as well as thickness. Some cables aren't shielded at all. The wire itself..........higher grades of copper, some use silver wiring, etc......... Cables are like anything else...........it's what sounds good to you!
12-08-03, 03:38 PM
#7
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: May 1999
Location: USA
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by emoxley
As Brian said, the shielding and connectors are the main reason. The gold plated connectors are supposed to get a better connection, therefore a better signal. The shielding............. materials used, as well as thickness. Some cables aren't shielded at all. The wire itself..........higher grades of copper, some use silver wiring, etc......... Cables are like anything else...........it's what sounds good to you!
As Brian said, the shielding and connectors are the main reason. The gold plated connectors are supposed to get a better connection, therefore a better signal. The shielding............. materials used, as well as thickness. Some cables aren't shielded at all. The wire itself..........higher grades of copper, some use silver wiring, etc......... Cables are like anything else...........it's what sounds good to you!
12-08-03, 09:31 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NC
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
originally posted by Frank S.......
That has nothing to do with his question............... I was trying to answer his question.
originally posted by bpm3k........
He was asking why digital coaxial cost so much more than analog cable........
You are forgetting that the digital domain does not require the same thing as the Analog one does. Analog does require very good connectors, shielding but with digital you do not need to be so stringent to achieve the same thing. the digital bistream is far less effected by external interference then analog. As I said if you are getting no dropouts you are good to go!
originally posted by bpm3k........
My question is why if a standard rca cable works are the digital coaxial cables so expensive? I relise that different brands charge different prices for their cables in general. Is this price difference just marketing. Or am I missing something
Last edited by emoxley; 12-08-03 at 09:35 PM.
12-09-03, 07:54 PM
#9
Member
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: TX
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are forgetting that the digital domain does not require the same thing as the Analog one does. Analog does require very good connectors, shielding but with digital you do not need to be so stringent to achieve the same thing. the digital bistream is far less effected by external interference then analog. As I said if you are getting no dropouts you are good to go!
It is still susceptable to electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference, and signal loss.
12-09-03, 07:57 PM
#10
Administrator
Originally posted by bberdine
Digital is still analog to the wire- it is just all 0's and 1's.
It is still susceptable to electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference, and signal loss.
Digital is still analog to the wire- it is just all 0's and 1's.
It is still susceptable to electromagnetic interference, radio frequency interference, and signal loss.
So it will be obvious whether there is too much interference.
