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Digital Cable Box (1 Viewer)

Dan Mertz

Dan Mertz

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
97
I want to hook up my digital cable to my receiver. My digital cable box does not appear to have any digital (optical or coaxial) connections. Should it?

It also does not have an S-Video or a Component video connection. It only has a left (white) and right (red) connection. Do I just have an outdated digital cable box?
 
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Moderator
Premium
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Aug 5, 1999
Messages
6,824
Location
Corpus Christi, TX
Real Name
Wayne
Maybe, maybe not. It could be that your cable provider doesn’t offer any programming in Dolby Digital. If that’s the case a latest-and-greatest cable box still won’t get you anything worthwhile.

What a lot of people assume is that digital cable is about getting 5.1 programming. It isn’t. Digital cable is a delivery medium that allows the cable company to squeeze in more channels or other options (like music channels). The higher channels (which are typically the ones delivered digitally) may indeed have a digital 2.0 signal that can take advantage of a coaxial or optical output. However, what you get is the same overly-compressed and highly-processed audio that the analog channels have, so don’t expect to see a dramatic difference between the two.

Some cable providers do have 5.1 programming with the premium movie or HD channels, but even then not all of the shows will be 5.1.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
 
Felipe S

Felipe S

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Jul 17, 2002
Messages
155
It'd be like having a DVD player with just RCA audio connectors and composite video. I'd say buy (or rent) a newer one.

[edit] also what Wayne said :)
 
DaveBeblo

DaveBeblo

Auditioning
Joined
Oct 25, 2003
Messages
5
I use Comcast cable and went to their office to pick up my box.

They handed me one with only analog outputs.

I questioned the lady, she made me hang on for a few minutes while she went to the back.

Came back with a box that had SVideo, Optical etc.

My guess is that most folks won't say anything so they get the cheaper box.

I would just call and ask or better yet go to their office.
 
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