XBox Optical Cable Question (1 Viewer)

[Daniel Swartz]

I just discovered an old audioquest cable lying around and was curious if it was suitable for the 5.1 optical cable run from my XBox to my receiver. The cable is a blue, "video one", silver-plated copper audioquest with the following specs:

-22 AWG (UL)
-Type CL3
-75 degrees Cel

Now, the "video one" sounds like it wouldn't work for audio but I think I use the same type of cable currently in between my DVD player and receiver. I just can't get behind the cabinet to double check.

Any thoughts guys? Thanks!

 

[Joel Mack]

Doesn't sound like an optical cable at all, to me...

 

[Travis Olson]

As long as the cable is optical with Toslink connectors I don't think there would be problem. I say hook it up and give it whirl, if it doesn't work, no big deal.

 

[Alex Spindler]

Daniel, you are describing a coaxial cable that you probably use for video and audio between your DVD player and receiver. What you need is a fiber optic cable, which doesn't have any copper at all. They generally have square 'toslink' interfaces, as opposed to the round coaxial cable interfaces.

At present, I think optical cabling is only used for digital audio and not for video in most HT applications.

 

[Rob Lutter]

I got a G.E. one at Target a couple months ago for $11... works fine.

 

[Daniel Swartz]

Thanks guys. Any idea on where I can get a 25 foot fiber optic cable with toslink connectors relatively inexpensively?

 

[Joel Mack]

I'm no expert, but 25 feet may be out of opticals effective range... You need to locate your XBox closer to your reciever...

 

[Travis Olson]

25 feet is not out of optical's range. Here is a website that sells them in lengths up to 50 feet, very reasonably priced too.

 

[Joel Mack]

25 feet is not out of optical's range.

I stand corrected ("I'm no expert").
Still, it's more cost-effective to move the XBox closer to the receiver.

 

[Daniel Swartz]

Good stuff. This is a situation where the layout of the room demands such a length unfortunately.... Thanks!