Questionable Connection

DaveJo

I picked up my new Polk set last night and was talking to the salesperson about the wiring of my system. My question is ... Is an optical cable for my DVD audio better then the RCA that I have hooked up now?

And, would it make that big a difference if I switched to component video cables over my current S-video cables?

Thanks!

johnny_utah

yes to both, esp on the component over s video. It takes the pic a divides it into 3 channels as opposed to 2 with s video.

DaveJo

I forgot to mention the guy told me that without the optical audio cable I don't get the real 5.1 sound. that sounded funny to me but after thinking about it could be true!

Thanks

lonwa

In theory, the optical and digital coax cable for DVD -> reciever should sound the same. Some people believe the coax can sound better, but I am not sure how this is possible since its all 1s and 0s (thats why they call it digital).

The reason I use the optical, is because it provides better shielding. I have lots of cables behind my cabinet, and I want to make sure there is no interference on the line.

In terms of the component upgrade from S video, you will see a better picture, all-be-it not as noticable as switching from composite to component. But I would recommend component video if your device supports it, and also use the DVI interface if your devide uses it, as it will provide an even better picture than component.


Hope this helps

Lonwa

jcaut

Well wait a minute here...

You may have to clarify a couple of things: If you currently have the audio from your DVD player connected to the receiver with a DIGITAL coaxial cable (RCA), then no-- there should be no big difference in sound vs. an optical cable. If, however, you're talking analog RCA out from the DVD to the receiver--- there are two possibilities 5.1 analog out or two ch. stereo--- Then yes, the digital cable connection would most likely be preferable.

BUT if you're talking DVD-Audio (can't tell, with the way you worded the original post) then you NEED to use the 5.1 analog out from the player to the 5.1 analog inputs on the receiver, in order to get the multichannel sound.

Composite vs. S-video: I doubt you'd notice a big difference, but S-video is supposed to be better.

Jason

AsSiMiLaTeD

Of the two digital cables...I prefer the coax.

DaveJo

Not being in anyway an expert in digital/analog I'll try to explain what I have set up.

I'm using the left and right/red and white standard RCA cables between my DVD and AVR for the audio.

Same set up for the Direct TV SAT.

Video is S-video cables from both to the AVR.

S-video from the AVR to the TV

My guess will have to be they are the analog type of audio RCA connections.

Does this make any sense???

johnny_utah

Originally posted by DaveJo
Not being in anyway an expert in digital/analog I'll try to explain what I have set up.

I'm using the left and right/red and white standard RCA cables between my DVD and AVR for the audio.

Same set up for the Direct TV SAT.

Video is S-video cables from both to the AVR.

S-video from the AVR to the TV

My guess will have to be they are the analog type of audio RCA connections.

Does this make any sense???

I should have been more clear earlier. IMO, component is only worth the money if you have an HD set. If you are not watching HD or a DVD from a progressive scan DVD player on a HD compatible set, you will not gain anything noticible on a regular tube tv that is worth the cost of the cable. Video cables go in this order: composite (RCA type connectors), S-video, component, the DVI

Based on the connections you are using for audio, it will be better to use a digital optical or digital coax cable. How much difference you notice depends on your setup, but they are better.

danger boy

Originally posted by DaveJo
Not being in anyway an expert in digital/analog I'll try to explain what I have set up.

I'm using the left and right/red and white standard RCA cables between my DVD and AVR for the audio.

Same set up for the Direct TV SAT.

Video is S-video cables from both to the AVR.

S-video from the AVR to the TV

My guess will have to be they are the analog type of audio RCA connections.

Does this make any sense???

it does make sense.. you want to change your DVD player using a digital optical or coaxial cable.. to your AVR. this will give you true Dolby Digital and DTS sound. Otherwise.. using your Left and Right RCA cables will only give you stereo sound. (2 channel sound)

YOur S-video connections are all correct.. don't change anything there. UNLESS your TV can handle component cables (component cables are three RCA cables that split the video signal into three colors. )

come back and ask more ?'s if it doesn't make any sense. it's confusing even for a dinasaur like me. LOL

Sami

Originally posted by johnny_utah
IMO, component is only worth the money if you have an HD set.

Not true. There is a big difference in PQ going from SVHS to component even on interlaced screens.

As for analog/digital sound connection, you want digital so you get surround sound. Then for 2 channel music, you will have to decide whether you think (hear) your receiver or DVD player have better DACs. If your receiver has better or you can't hear a difference then you should use the digital connection.

johnny_utah

Originally posted by Sami
Not true. There is a big difference in PQ going from SVHS to component even on interlaced screens.

No doubt there is a difference in the cables, but from s-video to component on a non-HD compatible set, IMO is not worth the cost of the upgrade. I have done tests from DVD players and couldn't tell but the slightest diff. I am not familiar with a SVHS, so you may be right, as far as it being worth the money for the upgrade.

The component cables improve PQ on any type of screen interlaced or progressive, but IMO you notice it more the larger the screen is, and the higher quality the data. That is when I would justify the cost of good component cables.

DaveJo

Ok, it would seem that I need to upgrade those audio connections.

I will go for the optical audio ones tonight.

I will have to check the TV for the component Vid connections.

I never thought about it only being only two channels with the RCA's I should hear a noticeable difference in the audio.


(soooo thats what DTS is) :eek:

The DVD player I have a Toshiba somethinganother has no optical Vid out but it has PCI/Bitstream???? I'm guessing thats a Digital coax?

Sami

Originally posted by johnny_utah
No doubt there is a difference in the cables, but from s-video to component on a non-HD compatible set, IMO is not worth the cost of the upgrade. I have done tests from DVD players and couldn't tell but the slightest diff. I am not familiar with a SVHS, so you may be right, as far as it being worth the money for the upgrade.

The component cables improve PQ on any type of screen interlaced or progressive, but IMO you notice it more the larger the screen is, and the higher quality the data. That is when I would justify the cost of good component cables.

S-video = SVHS.

Even on smaller screens there is quite a difference but like you said it shows much better on bigger screens. There is a night and day difference on my screen which is not even progressive but then again the size is 112" in anamorphic.

Component cable doesn't cost much. You can test if you can tell the difference by using quality RCA cable.

Sami

Originally posted by DaveJo
Ok, it would seem that I need to upgrade those audio connections.

If your RCA cable is of good quality, use that to connect your coaxial line. For optical/toslink you will need a new cable.

lonwa

SVHS is actually a standard for higher resolution VHS and stands for SuperVHS (400 lines of resolution).

S-Video is an analog enhancement to composite video by separating the signal from one single connector (RCA) to multiple pin connectors (similar to the PS2 (i.e keyboard and mouse) connector on a Computer) for Color and Brightness (which is how TVs diplay images normally, hence the better quality).

Sami

Originally posted by lonwa
SVHS is actually a standard for higher resolution VHS and stands for SuperVHS (400 lines of resolution).

S-Video is an analog enhancement to composite video by separating the signal from one single connector (RCA) to multiple pin connectors (similar to the PS2 (i.e keyboard and mouse) connector on a Computer).

Super VHS is quite synonym with Super Video when you are talking about cables. You will find the same cable sold as SVHS or S-video cable, or SVHS/SVideo.

lonwa

You're right in that sense, but for all intensive purposes, there should be a clear distinction between these two different technologies, as it just creates confusion in the AV world. It would not be a big deal if the two acronyms stood for technologies in different fields:

like ATM-

Automated Teller Machines (Banking)
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (IT)

But in this case they both refer to video technologies, and the reason there was confusion by johnny_utah, was because you were using the two terms interchangeably, but most people think of SVHS as the super VHS enhancement.

Thanks, and keep on posting

Lonwa

Sami

Originally posted by lonwa
was because you were using the two terms interchangeably

I see your point but for video cables they practically are interchangeable terms.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=svhs+svideo

Anyway, back to regular programming after this.

danger boy

Originally posted by DaveJo
The DVD player I have a Toshiba somethinganother has no optical Vid out but it has PCI/Bitstream???? I'm guessing thats a Digital coax?

ummmm just a slight clairification... the optical out (if your player had one) is for audio only. not video.

audio connections are:
RCA this is your standard two channels of audio. Left and Right

Optical digital is a light fiber cable that is used to pass digital audio from one component to another component.

Coaxial digital (RCA connector) works similar to an optical digital cable. but it's not light based.

high resolution audio (SACD and DVD-audio) use 6 analog RCA connectors. Your DVD player and your receiver must both have 6 RCA's for it to be high resolution audio.

(Some electronic makers are moving toward just one cable for high resoultion audio. but so far only a few companies offer this.. and it's only for dedicated components).

johnny_utah

Originally posted by lonwa
You're right in that sense, but for all intensive purposes, there should be a clear distinction between these two different technologies, as it just creates confusion in the AV world. It would not be a big deal if the two acronyms stood for technologies in different fields:

like ATM-

Automated Teller Machines (Banking)
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (IT)

I've got one -

ATM: Adobe Type Manager

lonwa

You are correct that there are many acronyms that overlap in the same field, but the point I was trying to make in the case of the s-video = svhs would be the equivelant of you saying:

Asynchronous Transfer Mode = ATM
Automatic Tape Loader = ATM

It just does not make any sense to me to call Automatic Tape Loader ATM, when clearly it does not have a word in it that starts with "M," and will just confuse someone if you did.

The one way people get around the example you came up with is reference in the topic. More than likely I will not be speaking about Asynchronous Transfer Mode in the same sentence or conversation as Adobe Type Mananger. Hence the reason I would assume you were confused as to a reference to SVHS in a video cable conversation.

Thanks

Lonwa

johnny_utah

Originally posted by lonwa
You are correct that there are many acronyms that overlap in the same field, but the point I was trying to make in the case of the s-video = svhs would be the equivelant of you saying:

Asynchronous Transfer Mode = ATM
Automatic Tape Loader = ATM

It just does not amke any sense to me to call Autmatic Tape Loader ATM, when clearly it does not have a word in it that starts with "M," and will just confuse someone if you did.

The one way people get around the example you came up with is reference in the topic. More than likely I will not be speaking about Asynchronous Transfer Mode in the same sentence or conversation as Adobe Type Mananger. Hence the reason I would assume you were confused as to a reference to SVHS in video cable conversation.

Thanks

Lonwa

Thanks for your take. I was confused, and thanks for your help in pointing out the reason. With the ATM thing i was just making a joke. It was however, not funny.