Digital coaxial cable for a short distance: RG-59/U or RG-6/U? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

MJZ · 02-10-2006, 01:27 PM

Please can you help?

I've never used digital coaxial before and need around 1.0-1.5m of cable, but don't know which one is better to connect a DVD player to an amp and supports both Dolby Digital and DTS signals, RG-59/U or RG-6/U.

Would an RG-59/U cable meet my needs, as it's not travelling a long distance?

For information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable (See the table under Standards)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RG-59

PunkMunkey · 02-10-2006, 05:28 PM

Theoretically, as long as the cable is 75ohm, then it will handle the signal fine. However, for real world applications you'll probably want to ensure that the cable has decent enough shielding, especially if you will be running it near any type of power cable. Personally, I'd opt for a more robust cable, especially if it's only a matter of a few bucks extra.

MJZ · 02-10-2006, 08:01 PM

Thanks!

I've never used coaxial before, so wasn't sure if certain types were used for certain purposes once I found out about the different types.

What would you deem close?

clutchatp · 02-10-2006, 10:20 PM

Is this just for digital audio from the DVD to the amp, and does it have RCA plugs? If so, then you can use a standard RCA cable (either red, white, or yellow ends). For better quality, I'd use one with gold connectors.

I think you might be confusing digital coaxial, which used for digital audio, and regular coaxial (like in the link you provided). I did the same thing when I first got a DVD player.

From http://compreviews.about.com/cs/soun...mpAudioPt3.htm

Digital Coax

With the advent of digital media such as CD and DVD, there was a need for preserving the digital signal. Constant switching between audio and digital signals induces noise into the sound. As a result, new digital interfaces were created for PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) signals from CD players to the AC-3 and DTS connections on the DVD players. Digital coax is one of the two methods for carrying the digital signal.

Digital coax looks identical to that of a RCA connector but it has a very different signal carried over it. With the digital signal traveling across the cable, it is able to pack a complete 5.1 signal into a single digital stream across the cable that would require six individual analog RCA connectors. This makes digital coax very efficient.

Iguana Man · 02-11-2006, 01:13 AM

Are things that different in Europe?

Can you post a link or pic of the actual connection on the back of your DVD player or AMP for us?

I suspect Clutchatp is on to something.

MJZ · 02-11-2006, 05:09 PM

I'm already using a digital optical lead for one DVD player and am going to use digital coaxial for the other one, thus making use of both my amps digital audio DVD inputs without the need to keep swapping the same type around.

I've now got a digital coaxial RG-59/U cable that will suit my needs.

02-10-2006, 01:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
MJZ Actor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: England	Digital coaxial cable for a short distance: RG-59/U or RG-6/U? Please can you help? I've never used digital coaxial before and need around 1.0-1.5m of cable, but don't know which one is better to connect a DVD player to an amp and supports both Dolby Digital and DTS signals, RG-59/U or RG-6/U. Would an RG-59/U cable meet my needs, as it's not travelling a long distance? For information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable (See the table under Standards) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RG-59 Last edited by MJZ : 02-10-2006 at 01:49 PM.

02-10-2006, 05:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
PunkMunkey Join Date: Jul 2002	Theoretically, as long as the cable is 75ohm, then it will handle the signal fine. However, for real world applications you'll probably want to ensure that the cable has decent enough shielding, especially if you will be running it near any type of power cable. Personally, I'd opt for a more robust cable, especially if it's only a matter of a few bucks extra. __________________ ...you left me feeling hopeful I'd never see your face again.

02-10-2006, 10:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
clutchatp Supporting Actor Join Date: Sep 2004	Is this just for digital audio from the DVD to the amp, and does it have RCA plugs? If so, then you can use a standard RCA cable (either red, white, or yellow ends). For better quality, I'd use one with gold connectors. I think you might be confusing digital coaxial, which used for digital audio, and regular coaxial (like in the link you provided). I did the same thing when I first got a DVD player. From http://compreviews.about.com/cs/soun...mpAudioPt3.htm Digital Coax With the advent of digital media such as CD and DVD, there was a need for preserving the digital signal. Constant switching between audio and digital signals induces noise into the sound. As a result, new digital interfaces were created for PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) signals from CD players to the AC-3 and DTS connections on the DVD players. Digital coax is one of the two methods for carrying the digital signal. Digital coax looks identical to that of a RCA connector but it has a very different signal carried over it. With the digital signal traveling across the cable, it is able to pack a complete 5.1 signal into a single digital stream across the cable that would require six individual analog RCA connectors. This makes digital coax very efficient. __________________ Hard work never killed nobody, but I ain't takin' no chances. Last edited by clutchatp : 02-10-2006 at 10:49 PM.

02-11-2006, 01:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
Iguana Man Ex-BadHumor Man Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Jersey, USA	Are things that different in Europe? Can you post a link or pic of the actual connection on the back of your DVD player or AMP for us? I suspect Clutchatp is on to something. __________________ Get outside and have fun! Nacho Website Focus

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02-10-2006, 08:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
MJZ Actor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: England	Thanks! I've never used coaxial before, so wasn't sure if certain types were used for certain purposes once I found out about the different types. What would you deem close?

02-11-2006, 05:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
MJZ Actor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: England	I'm already using a digital optical lead for one DVD player and am going to use digital coaxial for the other one, thus making use of both my amps digital audio DVD inputs without the need to keep swapping the same type around. I've now got a digital coaxial RG-59/U cable that will suit my needs.