[Dom P.]

Just wondering if there is a cable out there that would allow you to connect a componet with a optical out to a receiver that only has a digital coax input??

thanks

[Cees Alons]

Dom,

Not a cable, no.
It would have to interpret light-fluctuations and translate them into electrical current. That's something that can only be done by an active component (a black box requiring a power connection).


Cees

[Dom P.]

OK. thanks.

I'm trying to find one for a buddy to help him avoid having to buy a new receiver.

His HD Cable box doesn't have the coax out (only optical) and his receiver doesn't have an opictal in (only coax)

[Jeff Gatie]

Quote:

His HD Cable box doesn't have the coax out (only optical) and his receiver doesn't have an opictal in (only coax)

Have him call his cable company and see if they can replace the box with one that has coax out. Often the cable company carries both kinds or the box has popouts on the back for installation of optical/coax.

[Philip Hamm]

Here is what you need. The converter is under $20 at parts express.

It's actually a silver box, Cees.

[Dom P.]

THat's perfect... I assume he needs both the cables as well (1 dig. coax + 1 optical) in addition to this box??

Thanks

[Bob McElfresh]

Radio Shack also carries a converter for about $30. And yes, he will need 1 optical cable and 1 video cable to do the conversion.

[Dom P.]

Great.. I'm pretty sure I have extra cables laying around he can use.

I'll check out Radio sh. as well.

[Tim K]

What cable box does he have that ONLY has Optical and not Coax? If you are in Chicago I assume you have Comcast Cable....which would imply that it is the Motorola 5100, 6200 or 6208 all of which have Digital Coax. It should be labelled SPDIF though and I believe it is colored orange.

[Dom P.]

It's comcast.. I don't know the model number.

I'll see if I can find that out.

[Jeff Gatie]

Quote:

It's comcast.. I don't know the model number.

In my experience, Comcast usually sends the box out with coax, not optical. Granted, I'm with Comcast in the Boston area and Chicago may be different. I'm doing a hookup for my brother-in-law later today and I have to switch his DVD to optical to make room for the coax from his Comcast HD box, because he only has one coax in on his Onkyo receiver. Tim is correct, the coax is labeled SPDIF and is colored orange on the Motorola boxes.