Optical Cable Splitters? Quality loss?

Trenchant

I have two stereo systems in my house. My main Polk setup in my room and a Bose system in my living room. My laptop serves as the audio source for my Polk stereo and I would like the signal to be duplicated and sent to the Bose stereo as well.

I am currently using a USB sound card with an optical cable connected to my Polk Stereo. Would using an optical splitter like the one below reduce signal quality?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042301&p_id=966&seq=1&format=2

Upgrading my receiver to one that includes multiple zones isn't a priority right now. This feature will rarely be used but it would be nice to have if it can be done for $25.

Fongolio

As long as both sides still see the light (so to speak) I don't see how it could degrade the signal as long as the lengths are within the normal operating range for optical. It's cheap to find out.

disneyjoe7

My thinking is that a splitter would reduce signal by -3db, which is half the signal it started with. But understand a -3db in optical terms shouldn't bother the signal at all on the receiving end. Length of cable could reduce signal also, so length of cable is important factor also.

Syndil

dB does not apply to light or to 1s and 0s. But if for whatever reason the signal does become unreliable, you would need to implement an optical digital repeater somewhere along your cable run.

disneyjoe7

If the light is too low then yes db is God! it's dead. Won't work.

Rivrrat

Syndil wrote: »

dB does not apply to light or to 1s and 0s. But if for whatever reason the signal does become unreliable, you would need to implement an optical digital repeater somewhere along your cable run.

In the telcom world light loss is measured in db's ( where I believe I remember DisneyJoe works, as do I).

All anyone would want to know about loss if you follow the links on the page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insertion_loss

In telecommunications, insertion loss is the loss of signal power resulting from the insertion of a device in a transmission line or optical fiber and is usually expressed in decibels (dB).;

The splitter would be the device

There will be loss in that connection, as there's loss in any optical connection fusion or mechanical, but I doubt if you're just using one splitter and the run is short, it'll ever be a problem.

dorokusai

I'm also in Telecom(19yrs) Rivrrat and you're correct. I work with fiber from time to time. My life is 100% db related, whether its coaxial or fiber optic.

disneyjoe7

Rivrrat wrote: »

In the telcom world light loss is measured in db's ( where I believe I remember DisneyJoe works, as do I)

I believe Joe Q public doesn't know or care about db loss when it comes to optical cables. It's marketing I'm sure.

Work in Teleco Inside or Outside? I work as an Electronic Tech inside CO 5E switch and everything else.

Rivrrat

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

I believe Joe Q public doesn't know or care about db loss when it comes to optical cables. It's marketing I'm sure.

Work in Teleco Inside or Outside? I work as an Electronic Tech inside CO 5E switch and everything else.

I doubt Joe Q public cares either, but when they make an incorrect statement about db's not relating to light transmission........

I work outside as an equipment installer and power tech. If it needs to go in a cev, rt, or customer premise, I put it in and make sure it stays powered. Like most techs, I've done a bit of everything through the years.

Lots of dsl to the neighborhood right now.

steveinaz

Here's the switch I've used in the past (Inday D4X-R), it does the splitting "electronically"

http://www.inday.com/da4x/da4x.htm