What is the difference between the coaxial cable & the Optical cable, and whats better for a surround system.?

Answer 1

Optical transmits audio information in the form of a beam of light, digital coax uses an electrical impulse. There are differences, and you'll hear arguements for and against both, but they are so close you won't tell the difference.

Make sure you have the same connection on your source and your receiver. If you have both, I prefer optical, but get a cable that's long enough to ensure there are no sharp turns in it. (Light doesn't make sharp turns)

Answer 2

Coaxial cable is nothing but a big sized wire with the aluminium or the copper conductor is insulated by a kinda plastic material and is used for digital communication.The cable wire from dish to your TV is a coaxial cable.
Whereas Optical cable is made of glass material and is purely used on the communication for phones and other big matters.
For surround systems Optical cable is the best.For connecting TVs like plasma or other to a surround system you can only use optical cables.Coaxial cables also produce good surround effect but Optical cable is a better choice.

Answer 3

The experts say that digital coaxial sounds better than digital optical but the average person will not hear a difference. If your wires need to be 9 feet or longer, I would suggest using the Digital Coaxial. If they are a more normal 6 feet or so I would say to use what you have or what you can get the easiest and for the best price.

Answer 4

Optical is this best for right now. If you have a choice then go with optical. It sends the signal through light. It is clearer faster and it best for use in DTS or Doby Digital 6.1 EX. Coaxial is the second to the top over Audio Video jacks

Answer 5

coax is your basic cable which will allow you to hook your primaries like cd, dvd, vhs and so on. Not very high tech but gets the job done. Optical cables are more expensive but deliver a far greater claritiy in signal than with the coax. can't tell you how it works I just know that it does. if you have PS2 use the regular cable and then use a optical cable and you can see what I'm talking about. Also, it helps of your tv is capable of using optical signals. if you have aold crap tv set then it's not worth your money. widescreen or lcd then it's a must.

Answer 6

Coaxial is an electrical conductor, i.e. copper wire, surrounded by an insulating layer, polyethylene or polypropylene or nylon, which is then surrounded by another electrical conductor, i.e. stainless steel braid or copper braid, or aluminum foil, then also surrounded by more insulators such as vinyl.
Optical cable is glass strands. It requires an optical emitter for the sender end and an optical receiver for the receiving end. It is noted for extremely low transmission losses and virtually no interference between strands. As far as surround sound, your equipment will handle one or the other, there is no choice.

Answer 7

The optical is sound only. The best way is to use the optical in combo with a good s video cable.

Answer 8

For audio go with optical & for video use component cable the colors of the cables will be red blue & green great for high def 720p or progressive scan dvd players.

Answer 9

optical , uses a different technology.. i would go with optical...it's mucgh smaller then cox, and it's better. but careful, don't bend it too much, because itcan damage the inside...it uses, tiny reflective surfaces(fiber-optics..hence the name) to send light through, which then will be converted to signbals that tv understands...(more expensive though)