Optical Cable, whats the score?

ishamy

ishamy

ishamy

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Isle Of Lewis
Hi all, I've just got my first Home Theater set-up last night, however I'm in need of an optical cable to go from TV to Amp so I can get the built in Freeview audio through the speakers.

The last time I had an optical cable was when I had a MD player back in the day and on one side was a square connection for the stereo and the other was a 3.5mm connection for the player.. I don't think this is what I need.

It looks square on each end, also I see loads of differently priced ones, does it matter what I get, I need a 2m one.

Also after 2 HDMI leads, 2m aswell, would be hand if I could get from the same person/shop.

Basically do I spend £3 on each cable or £25... will there be a difference?

Thanks
 
Cool thanks, does v1.3 and 1.4 cables make any difference?

haha so many quote I feel like pretty stupid now :(
 
Optical & HDMI cables either work or they don't. There's either a signal or no signal. There is no 'difference' in quality. - as the argument goes.
 
mattyg said:
Woah. Guys there IS a difference between A £3 lead and a £25 lead



£22
Click to expand...

I liked that one, right got the message will have a scrounge online tonight for some cheapies and see how it goes. Suppose if they break it will only be another few £££ to get another
 
If you're lucky, your local Poundland will have some optical and HDMI cables. Mine does and you can probably work out the price. :p They're on the short side but might do the trick.
 
Worth pointing out, that the best audio is sent direct over HDMI.

The Sky boxes are the exception, as you need an optical cable to get 5.1 DD, but all other boxes pass this over the HDMI :)

£3 saved.
 
Thanks for all the replys, think I'm going to go for middle of the road about £5-7.

The tv doesn't support arc :( went through everything a few times but no.

Got hdmi's off a friend today so no expense there, however going to need a second optical, my mobo on the Htpc doesn't have spdif out on the board itself. So I cant get audio over hdmi, going to hdmi for picture and optical for the sound. Should hopefully work.

So shopping list down to 2 opticals.
 
Oh well my Bro in Law had a spare Optical and dropped it by this morning, looks like quite a high end one aswell so scored that way. However as my 'sister thread' about graphics is going I'm not going to be using the 2nd optical as it doesn't do HD audio so will need a different graphics card. So thank you for all your help on this my issues have now been resolved on this :D
 
Can't get much cheaper than freebies. While I agree that you do t need expensive digital cables, I DO think it is worth going a step or do up from boggo cheapies as you will get a better build quality/connectors.
 
Had to laugh I only had the same optical cable as you whenever I required the square type end to end :) Oh the days of MD's. You could try posting in 'Wanted' section of MM as there are quite a few people with extra cables knocking about.


DOH ! just noticed above .
 
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