Difference between Coaxial Cables?

Question

I'm about to upgrade to HDTV(finally) and I'm about to re-wire the cable in the house I just bought. What is a good type of coax for HD? I'm not to educated in this field. I see cable like optical and digital and I'm not sure what to use? whats the difference?

Answer 1

RG 6 be sure to run all the cables to the same place dont "daisy chain" them one to another.
If considering satellite espacially dish network run 2 and a phone line

Answer 2

Yup. RG6 for Coax. The better shielded the better, and just make sure you terminate the cables well. RG6 (coax) is generally used for Satillite or Digital Cable (standard or high-def) from the source to the set-top box. The signal that is on these cables is the digital "unconverted" signal. Once it hits your set-top box, its converted into your high-def signal. From here to your TV you want to use a good quality HD capable cable. The most common are HDMI, DVI or Component depending on your equipment. HDMI and DVI are both digial HD capable cables while Component is an analog HD capable cable. All of them will provide you with a good picture. You make also need a seperate audio cable such as an optical cable to carry digital surround sound, or you can use those red and white RCA cables if you do not have a surround sound set-up.

Answer 3

Bkalos905 has a couple of mistakes in his answer. Digital outputs that are labeled Coax are not 5.1 they are simply digital connections that transfer the same signal as optical connectors. There is some evidence to suggest that the cheap LEDs used in these connectors and the plastic cables used to transfer the data results in more errors that the coax cables. There is no benefit for higher end cables used to transfer digital signals (Except when moving from plastic to glass in the optical cables. But why spend hundreds on a glass cable to equal the quality of a $3 RCA cable?) Subwoofer cables are analogue cables and there are many that will argue that with analogue you need better quality cables. I would not agree, especially with a sub. I assuming that you have a powered as you mention RCA cables. A sub only has to reproduce the low frequencies; so you do only need a cable that is transferring frequencies from ~18-200hz. Not the full range of audio. Save your cash and go buy a few more DVDs or CDs. But if you do buy the better cables just don't buy Monster Cables, they like to sue smaller companies saying that they are copying their designs (its a freaking cable how do you copy it!) and have moved their company HQ to Bermuda to avoid paying taxes.

Answer 4

All RG cables are not identical, even if they have the same number. You can get an RG-59 (Belden 8281B) cable that has better performance than RG-6. However, in general, RG-6 has lower loss and is more rugged than RG-59 and is recommended for any new installation. But don't get cheap cables, get name-branded (Belden, Alpha) RG-6; there is a difference.

Answer 5

The gang is right...The "RG6" in your walls is the best bet...But when it's time to climb behind the old TV and start hooking your gear together, check out this link for some more "RG6" options...They'll put the "Monster Cable" brand to shame...Click right here: http://www.whydoesmyhometheatersuck.com/budgetcables.html

And everyone will tell you that a DIGITAL connection is always better...But that's not necessarily true...There are many things to consider...HDMI is the best thing they've ever thought of, but it won't always give you the best connection...Click this link to see what I mean: http://www.whydoesmyhometheatersuck.com/hdmi.html

Answer 6

I agree with using the RG6. I would also look into using an in-line amplifier, especially for HD. This will greatly improve picture quality.