Optical and coaxial cables are being used to make the digital audio connection between a DVD or a CD player and the receiver. Both types will transfer a digital signal from one device to the other. So, basically if they do the same thing what is the difference between them? The performance level between the two is almost the same but it depends on whom you are going to ask. We can state some facts about both the optical and coaxial digital connections so you may form your own opinion.

The coaxial digital audio cable uses shielded copper wire and in general it will be the most rugged. It has a both ends the familiar RCA jacks which will be reliable and stay firmly connected, but these types of cables will be susceptible to EMI (electro-magnetic interference) and RFI (radio frequency interference) leading to some 'hum-ing' problems with the device, the cable transferring the noise between the components. They also tend to loose the signal when over very long distances but for when you are using it at home this will not be a problem.

The optical digital audio cable is known as the Toslink and it will transfer an audio signal using the red light beam through the plastic fiber optic cable. The traveling signal will be converted from an electrical to an optical signal in the CD player and then back to an electrical signal in the receiver. These cables are not susceptible to EMI or RFI noise because through the cable will travel light not electricity. Unlike the coax cables, optical cables are much more fragile and it is not advisable to bent them too much or pinch them. At both ends of the cable you shall find an odd shaped connector that will have to be inserted correctly and does not have the same tight connection as the coaxial cable will have with the RCA jacks.

The basic role of the cable is to carry a video or an audio signal from one device to another. These signals are carried from stereo receivers to speakers, from DVD players and TVs or computers and video projectors and may other technological devices, making many jobs easy. A cable is made up from three parts: conductors, shielding and connectors. The conductors are the wires that will actually carry the signal and a layer or more of shielding will prevent these wires to act as an antenna that will pick up electro-magnetic interference EMI or radio frequency interference RFI, the connector being the plug at the end of the cable that will be connected into your device.

Cables are very important components in any home stereo or theater setup and if you will not use the right cables for the job you could get a bad picture quality or a bad audio experience and if you use damaged cables you could get yourself a very crappy video or audio event. For example, for real audiophiles if you use low-end cables with a very expensive HDTV plasma it will be like putting very lousy tires on a Lamborghini.

Remember to be informed with all the details that you need when you are connecting any device to another and to choose the right cables out there on the market.