I'd like to connect my digital cable box to my receiver so I can listen to television programs in surround sound. The cable box has an SPDIF output. My receiver has an Optical (Toslink) input. Am I correct in that these are not compatible?

Yep. It is compatible all right. I'm using an optical S/P-DIF out from my PC to an optical input of external receiver, and it is working all right.

The correspondence with my cable company seems to contradict that:

ME: In order to listen to TV programs in surround sound, I must connect my cable box from the SPDIF output to my receiver using a Digital Optical Audio cable, correct? Does the cable need to say TOSLINK on it?

THEM: I checked with the Installation Manager and he said he didn't believe it would need to say TOSLINK on the cable. You would need to use Optical Audio cable for your connection.

ME: An Optical Audio cable, not Coaxial Digital cable, correct?

THEM: I am sorry, I just double checked and was told that you would need the coaxial digital cable, the only converter that would use the optical audio would be our HD converters.

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Are there different types of SPDIF? An Optical SPDIF *and* a Coaxial SPDIF?

Yes.

The coaxial has RCA plugs like standard stereo/video cables. The optical has fibre optic ends that plug into keyed slots in your equipment.

If you want some fun around here just ask which one sounds better.

In a way, you can say that TOSLINK is fiber optic cable.

Yep. Optical SPDIF is made from fiber optics, while coaxial cable is made from copper.

Too funny!

I always thought "I am using optical for audio from my dvd player to my receiver" sounded better than "I use coaxial...". That is the only difference in sound quality between the two that I will make.

Thanks for the responses. It's apparent I have the coax SPDIF on my cable box because it resembles an RCA plug.

Now, my cable company said their HD converter box has an Optical Audio output. Can I connect an HD converter to my non-HD TV?

You can buy a coaxial to optical converter box for about $15.

I don't have the URL for the place handy but I'm sure someone does.

Quite possibly. You will just have to confirm that it has compatible outputs. I wouldn't be surprised if it actually has s-video and composite outputs. If your set has component inputs, just be sure the HD converter box can send a compatible signal via component (480i, or 480p if your set can accept that).