Hi,
I am setting up my new system (Kenwood Home Theater in a box 503, the 100 watt one) and while all the speakers are hooked up and working, it doesn't sound right.. I think it's because I only have regular RCA left and right going from the DVD player to the reciever.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can't play Dolby Digital or DTS over the regular RCA cables, you need a coaxial digital audio cable right?

It kind of threw me off because the connector is the same as an RCA connector, it least it looks the same.

The reciever also has hookups for 6.1 (I think) audio, like a different connector for each speaker. My DVD player only has coax digital out and RCA. I should be able to just use the coax digital and be all set, right?

Will any coax digital cable do or does anyone recommend a good cable that won't set me back too much?
Thanks

Ya for DTS you need the digital wire. any coax digital cable will do, you can get one from radio shack for about 15 or so bucks.
No, you were right it does use a rca connector, so if u're in a hurry or strapt for cash you can just use one of your RCA wires (white or red) for digital and it should work.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by JackStraw:
Hi,
I am setting up my new system (Kenwood Home Theater in a box 503, the 100 watt one) and while all the speakers are hooked up and working, it doesn't sound right.. I think it's because I only have regular RCA left and right going from the DVD player to the reciever.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can't play Dolby Digital or DTS over the regular RCA cables, you need a coaxial digital audio cable right?

</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

OK I'll correct you since you asked. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif DD 5.1 and DTS signals can be sent via RCA cables. Coaxial and/or optical cables just increase the quality of these signals.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
The reciever also has hookups for 6.1 (I think) audio, like a different connector for each speaker. My DVD player only has coax digital out and RCA. I should be able to just use the coax digital and be all set, right?</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, you can use the coax digital out and be all set, providing you have something between your DVD player and the speakers that can decode DD5.1 and DTS signals. This can either be your receiver, or a separate decoder box that may come with your home theater setup kit. Think of it this way -- you have all your speaker information coming down one wire. You need something that can take that information and send the right signals to all 6 (or 7) speaker components). This is what the decoder does.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">

Will any coax digital cable do or does anyone recommend a good cable that won't set me back too much?
Thanks</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Go with the coax. They're just as good as optical cables and don't break as easily.

[This message has been edited by Drink 'Til She's Cute (edited December 25, 2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by LuCiFeR:
Ya for DTS you need the digital wire. any coax digital cable will do, you can get one from radio shack for about 15 or so bucks.
No, you were right it does use a rca connector, so if u're in a hurry or strapt for cash you can just use one of your RCA wires (white or red) for digital and it should work.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmm.. I tried using just a regular RCA cable going from the DVD player coax digital out to the input on the reciever and got no sound. I had to hook the analog L/R up and set the reciever to analog, instead of Digital-autosense.

OH!! I have to change the audio output setting on the player. Duh. I guess it's easier to figure stuff out when you're typing it out rather than staring at a mass of cables =)

Thanks guys

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Drink 'Til She's Cute:
OK I'll correct you since you asked. DD 5.1 and DTS signals can be sent via RCA cables. Coaxial and/or optical cables just increase the quality of these signals.

</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is actually incorrect. RCA cables cannot send a digital sound source. In order to get DD/DTS sound output from your DVD player to your receiver you have to use either a digital coax (one standard 75ohm RCA coax cable will work) or a digital optical cable.



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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by cloud:
That is actually incorrect. RCA cables cannot send a digital sound source. In order to get DD/DTS sound output from your DVD player to your receiver you have to use either a digital coax (one standard 75ohm RCA coax cable will work) or a digital optical cable.

</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Then I stand corrected. I only said that because I'm getting DTS signals played through my receiver and there aren't any coax cables in use. How is this possible? I'm only using RCA cables.

And I know I'm getting DTS signal because both my DVD player says it's playing DTS and my receiver says it's in DTS. Plus, I can hear the distinct difference between DD5.1 and DTS. Do explain. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

me 2.. i'm using normal rca wire and it works fine.

I have the same HT kit as you, and I was not able to get DD/DTS sound until I hooked up an optical cable and reset the system (unplug, press and hold power button, replug). So, is it possible that some receivers require that an optical/coax cable to be present for DD/DTS sound, and some don't?

You have to connect your DVD player to your receiver uding either a coax digital cable or an optical digital cable. That is the only way you can get 5.1 DD or DTS. It is technically impossible to connect them via the RCA stereo (white and red) cables and get digital output from your DVD player to your receiver. Maybe you have both the optical and the RCA stereo cables hooked up at the same time. If not then it does not make sense. This applies to all DVD players and DD/DTS receivers. Are you sure you can here discrete sound from all five speakers and subwoofer? Did you use the speaker test mode on your receiver to confirm this (this test outputs "pink noise" from each individual speaker one at a time and allows you to determine if all the speakers are working correctly)?

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by cloud:
You have to connect your DVD player to your receiver uding either a coax digital cable or an optical digital cable. That is the only way you can get 5.1 DD or DTS. It is technically impossible to connect them via the RCA stereo (white and red) cables and get digital output from your DVD player to your receiver. </font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I hate to get in the middle of this, but it most certainly is possible to use an RCA cable and get digital sound, because I just did it.
I currently am using a Monster digital coax cable in between my player and receiver, but after reading this thread decided to do a test of my own. I had an el-cheapo set of RCA cables that came with the last VCR I bought laying around, so I disconnected the Monster digital coax, and replaced it with a cheap RCA audio cable (the red half of a red/white pair, to be exact). I popped in Toy Story 2 and boom...DD 5.1 with no problem.
The moral of this story? Before you tell someone they have to hook something up a certain way...try it yourself first. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif
The only thing a cable (any kind) does is pass a signal. Period. That's why it's entirely possible to pass a digital signal through a digital optical cable, coaxial cable, RCA cable or...a coat hanger. (It's been done and posted online, but I don't have the link where the results are posted)

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[This message has been edited by DVD_O_Rama (edited December 25, 2000).]

After all, isn't a coaxial cable the same physical structure as an RCA cable, only without the grounded shielding?

Sure if you use an RCA cable, you're making your audio susceptible to electrical & radio interference, but it should still work, no?

I think some people are considering the question to be whether the DD/DTS signal passes out of the STEREO OUT outputs of the player and can be used for decoding by the receiver, and others are talking about what medium will successfully pass the DD/DTS signal out of the player's DIGITAL OUT output and into the receiver for decoding.

Reread the original post to determine the relevant subject -- if you can. First we hear "regular RCA left and right" which I take to mean STEREO OUT, but then we are presented with the question of "play Dolby Digital or DTS over the regular RCA cables" which could mean passing the DIGITAL OUT signal over a regular RCA cable.

I agree that just about anything, including a hanger, that will carry electrons will pass DD/DTS from a player's digital output to a receiver's decoder over a short distance. Here's the hanger URL: http://www.magnani.net/~al/DigitalWireLabTest.html

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by X:
Reread the original post to determine the relevant subject -- if you can. ]</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Please lay off the sarcasm...if you can. In the post I responded to, it plainly said 'You have to connect your DVD player to your receiver uding either a coax digital cable or an optical digital cable. That is the only way you can get 5.1 DD or DTS.
This is clearly untrue, and is why I responded in such a way.



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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DVD_O_Rama:
Please lay off the sarcasm...if you can.
</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Somebody's being a little too sensitive.

I was not being sarcastic. I was referring to the obfuscation presented in JackStraw's question with the seemingly dual subject/questions, not your response. Maybe I'm missing something, but is your name in my post, did I quote anything written by you, or did I refer to you in any way other than to help you out with a URL you didn't have handy?

Can you reread my post now, paying particular attention to the sentence following the one you quoted, and see how I meant it? If not, let me know and I'll try to be more clear in the future.

Guys, calm down, quit being too sensitive, yada yada yada. X is right, there was a confusion. It's solved now. You can't pass DD/DTS signals through your STEREO OUT, but you can use an RCA, or any kind of metal wire to pass DD/DTS signals, so long as it's hooked up to your DIGITAL OUT jack.

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by X:
Somebody's being a little too sensitive.

I was not being sarcastic. I was referring to the obfuscation presented in JackStraw's question with the seemingly dual subject/questions, not your response. Maybe I'm missing something, but is your name in my post, did I quote anything written by you, or did I refer to you in any way other than to help you out with a URL you didn't have handy?

Can you reread my post now, paying particular attention to the sentence following the one you quoted, and see how I meant it? If not, let me know and I'll try to be more clear in the future.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ok, maybe I misinterpreted your response. If so, please clarify who it was directed at then, as that will clear things up. You clearly said "...if you can". <emphasis mine> Who were you telling that to?
Thanks for the link, btw. I think it goes a long way in showing what exactly can be used to pass a pure digital signal. Not that I'd actually use that in my HT...unless it was a Monster hanger, of course http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif.


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Miami Dolphins: AFC Champs 2000.

[This message has been edited by DVD_O_Rama (edited December 26, 2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Drink 'Til She's Cute:
Guys, calm down, quit being too sensitive, yada yada yada. X is right, there was a confusion. It's solved now. You can't pass DD/DTS signals through your STEREO OUT, but you can use an RCA, or any kind of metal wire to pass DD/DTS signals, so long as it's hooked up to your DIGITAL OUT jack.

</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No need for me to calm down, as I'm not being overly excited or overly sensitive(can't we all just get along http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif). I re-read every post, and after reading JackStraw's initial post, I see no reason to think their was any confusion as to what was being said/asked. The question was asked about cables...not outputs. And the statement was made (several times) that RCA cables wouldn't pass a digital signal.
I thought I may have been overreacting (me..overreact???)due to the 'calm down' posts, until I realized...I was calm. And I was right http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif.
Here's to a having pleasant discussion, and here's to JackStraw getting the correct info he asked for http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif.



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If you use a single RCA cable from the coax digital out on your player to the coax digital in on your receiver, you will throughput a digital signal.

There is no way to get a digital signal passed through if you are using the analog left/right audio outs on your player (which would use RCA cables, but that's besides the point).

If your player has a built in digital decoder (DD and/or DTS) then it will have discrete 6 channel analog outputs on the back (2 mains, 2 rears, 1 center, 1 sub) that will connect to a digital ready reciever's 6 channel inputs. These cables will also be RCA.

It is recommended that for passing a digital signal (first example above) that it be 75 ohm.

As Jack has apparently discovered, (1) he was trying to get digital sound using his player's analog audio outs and (2) no matter how you hook up the audio, you need to make sure that the player (and sometimes the reciever) are properly configured to output sound via the outputs you have connected.

-David

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DVD_O_Rama:
Ok, maybe I misinterpreted your response. If so, please clarify who it was directed at then, as that will clear things up. You clearly said "...if you can". <emphasis mine> Who were you telling that to?</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You was meant to mean anybody reading the original post -- not any particular person. It's like when you say "you call them to get the discount." I'm not talking about you, just anybody who happens to read this. The whole "if you can" related to anybody's potential difficulty in understanding the original question since it seemed to be two different questions, or one worded not too clearly so as to be open to misinterpretation. Such as:

"I'm having trouble with my DVD player outputting sound with cables going to my TV and receiver and my TV connected to the receiver's sound out but the volume's low sometimes even when I turn it high."

This is much more convoluted than the original post here, but if you couldn't understand this question, it's my fault, not yours. Note the use of the generalized, indefinite you.

I should have followed my original "if you can" with "because it seems to be asking two different questions, not because you can't read". But I thought my next sentence provided that clue because I quoted the two different questions that I gathered from the original post. If I worded so badly as to offend you (meaning you, DVD_O_Rama), I apologize and will try to learn from my mistake.

I hope JackStraw doesn't come down on me now! http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Blade:
If you use a single RCA cable from the coax digital out on your player to the coax digital in on your receiver, you will throughput a digital signal.

There is no way to get a digital signal passed through if you are using the analog left/right audio outs on your player (which would use RCA cables, but that's besides the point).

If your player has a built in digital decoder (DD and/or DTS) then it will have discrete 6 channel analog outputs on the back (2 mains, 2 rears, 1 center, 1 sub) that will connect to a digital ready reciever's 6 channel inputs. These cables will also be RCA.

It is recommended that for passing a digital signal (first example above) that it be 75 ohm.

As Jack has apparently discovered, (1) he was trying to get digital sound using his player's analog audio outs and (2) no matter how you hook up the audio, you need to make sure that the player (and sometimes the reciever) are properly configured to output sound via the outputs you have connected.

-David</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks blade! Perfect explanation... some clarification for a person who has never had more than 2 speakers.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by X:
You was meant to mean anybody reading the original post -- not any particular person. It's like when you say "you call them to get the discount." I'm not talking about you, just anybody who happens to read this. The whole "if you can" related to anybody's potential difficulty in understanding the original question since it seemed to be two different questions, or one worded not too clearly so as to be open to misinterpretation. Such as:

"I'm having trouble with my DVD player outputting sound with cables going to my TV and receiver and my TV connected to the receiver's sound out but the volume's low sometimes even when I turn it high."

This is much more convoluted than the original post here, but if you couldn't understand this question, it's my fault, not yours. Note the use of the generalized, indefinite you.

I should have followed my original "if you can" with "because it seems to be asking two different questions, not because you can't read". But I thought my next sentence provided that clue because I quoted the two different questions that I gathered from the original post. If I worded so badly as to offend you (meaning you, DVD_O_Rama), I apologize and will try to learn from my mistake.

I hope JackStraw doesn't come down on me now! http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm not offended by anything you said, and I shouldn't have reacted in such a way to make you think that. (Too much eggnog, I guess http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif)
It looks like JackStraw got his answer, and that's what this forum is all about. Long live DVD Talk!



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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by X:

I hope JackStraw doesn't come down on me now! http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nah, I only go down on my girlfriend and even that's pretty rare.

Only when it's her birthday or something.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by JackStraw:
Thanks blade! Perfect explanation... some clarification for a person who has never had more than 2 speakers.
</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're about where I was about two years ago. Always happy to help out. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

By the way (if you don't mind a little unsolicited advice), you get what you give! http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

-David

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by DVD_O_Rama:
I hate to get in the middle of this, but it most certainly is possible to use an RCA cable and get digital sound, because I just did it.
I currently am using a Monster digital coax cable in between my player and receiver, but after reading this thread decided to do a test of my own. I had an el-cheapo set of RCA cables that came with the last VCR I bought laying around, so I disconnected the Monster digital coax, and replaced it with a cheap RCA audio cable (the red half of a red/white pair, to be exact). I popped in Toy Story 2 and boom...DD 5.1 with no problem.
The moral of this story? Before you tell someone they have to hook something up a certain way...try it yourself first. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/wink.gif
The only thing a cable (any kind) does is pass a signal. Period. That's why it's entirely possible to pass a digital signal through a digital optical cable, coaxial cable, RCA cable or...a coat hanger. (It's been done and posted online, but I don't have the link where the results are posted)

</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I know this has been beaten to death already, but I feel I have to defend myself and what I said. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

What I said was correct. You cannot get digital output using the stereo RCA connections (red and white). The only way you can get digital output is by using the digital output whether it be a coax or optical. Yes if you have a coax digital output then you can use a standard RCA cable (either red, white or yellow) as an alternative to a dedicated coax digital cable which in essence is no different. JackStraw's original comment was correct regarding this, but DTSC's response was not. I was merely correcting DTSC's response that you can still get digital output using stereo RCA jacks but at a lesser quality. This is obviously not true and that's what I was pointing out. With all due respect I think some of you you need to be more carefull when reading other's posts so as to not make any misinterpretations which only leads to more confusion. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/frown.gif



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"The earth does not belong to people; people belong to the earth. Everything that happens to the earth happens also to the sons and daughters of the earth." -Chief Seattle.

Cloud,

Actually, Drink said "RCA cables" not "RCA jacks." And your response also said, "RCA cables cannot send a digital sound source."

Clearly, as your last post indicates, you meant to say that the analog RCA jacks (which is what JackStraw was apparently using) can not pass the digital signal.

I think everyone got a little confused on this one. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

-David

Sorry If my original post was confusing. That was not my intention. My only excuse is that I currently have flu and all drugged up http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif, and I am having trouble with the way I word my posts. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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"The earth does not belong to people; people belong to the earth. Everything that happens to the earth happens also to the sons and daughters of the earth." -Chief Seattle.

I just got a SONY STE-DE945, and now I am looking to set up my digital sound. What is the better connection? Fiber-optic or coax? Sound-wise, price-wise, overall. Any information would help me choose between the two would be great. Other than "You can just use a RCA cable!"

Jon

jon-w9: that has been discussed to death already, try search. But the common consensus is that you're better off with Coax because its more sturdy and less expensive then optical. Also, the difference between the sound quality is practically nill so go with coax.

All either of these cables will be transmitting are 0s and 1s (or an on/off signal). So either one will work equally as well.

I purchased an optical cable because I like the way the word toslink sounds. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif Coax is sturdier, but unless you're a tweaker or plan to jump rope with the cable, it doesn't really matter which one you use (outside of cost).

Okay... here's the simple explaination...

A digital coaxial bitstream should sound the same as an optical bitstream. If you do hear, Differences are all in your head.

You can use A Regular RCA Shielded Composite Video Cable as a digital coax cable... Actually a so-called 'Digital Coaxial' cable is really just a Composite Video Cable labled 'Digital Coaxial' with the price jacked up...

These are facts, and they do work. Any person who has been into HT for awhile should know that Digital and Optical are the same. Some may bias another though. I like using Coax, because the cables are cheaper, and don't break if you bend them too much.

As for the Video cable for the Digital coax bitstream, it works... I am using it for MY digital bitstream right now. yes, i have tried a 'Digital Coax' cable just to experiment, and no it did not sound any better...

BITS ARE BITS... 1's and 0's are 1's and 0's. Its a proven fact that even a COATHANGER can carry a digital bitstream as good as any Optical, or Digital Coax interconnect...