What are the two types of digital connections on a reciever

[Steamroller]

I know there is a digital optical output, what is the other outpu that is digital? It looks like an RCA output but it says digital?

[ruri]

Coaxial & Optical.

The RCA is the coaxial I/O. The optical I/O looks like a mini ethernet jack.

Both form transmit essentially the same data, except in different ways. The RCA (coaxial) transmits the data as electrical signal. The Toslink (optical) transmits the data as light pulses through a glass/plastic fiber. But again, the data is essentially the same.

The advantage of coaxial is that copper cable isn't as fragile as fiber, and even a dirty / badly connected link will still work.

The advantage of optical is that it is immune to electromagnetic interference, and that you could run longer cable. Both of these advantages don't really apply to most people's home.

In the final analysis, get whichever one you prefer. I, myself uses neither because my JVC AV switcher can't handle them. Not many switcher can, at least in the consumer market....

[philit]

Referring to the attached mail.
I have a situation where I have both types of connections - Coaxial out on my DVD player and optical in on my amplifier. Is it the case that I can get an adaptor from the optical cable I have now to fit to the Coaxial in the back of my DVD player and maintain the digital quality?

Thanks


Coaxial & Optical.

The RCA is the coaxial I/O. The optical I/O looks like a mini ethernet jack.

Both form transmit essentially the same data, except in different ways. The RCA (coaxial) transmits the data as electrical signal. The Toslink (optical) transmits the data as light pulses through a glass/plastic fiber. But again, the data is essentially the same.

The advantage of coaxial is that copper cable isn't as fragile as fiber, and even a dirty / badly connected link will still work.

The advantage of optical is that it is immune to electromagnetic interference, and that you could run longer cable. Both of these advantages don't really apply to most people's home.

In the final analysis, get whichever one you prefer. I, myself uses neither because my JVC AV switcher can't handle them. Not many switcher can, at least in the consumer market....

[k2]

you'd need something like this (http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/audio/co2.asp)