Optical, Coaxial, and HDMI Cables: What is Good for Your Audio Connection?

Optical, Coaxial, and HDMI Cables

By Versitron Inc.

Introduction of Optical, Coaxial, and HDMI Cables • Optical, coaxial, and HDMI are the widespread choice of cables when it comes to connecting a DVD player, TV, soundbar, video game console, or a set-top box.

• Each of these connectors possess typical features, and often people get confused about their selection.

• Let’s discuss the selection of these cables in detail and their contribution.

What are HDMI, Optical and Coaxial Cables • Optical Cables: • These cables are made of optical fibers, thus the name.

• The audio signals are usually transferred through these fibers..

• HDMI Cables: • HDMI cables were introduced in 2002.

• These cables help in easy transmission of digital audio and video signals through one cable.

• Digital Coaxial Cables: • The most common choices for making digital audio connections.

• Digital coaxial cables only transmit audio signals.

Comparisons between Optical, Coaxial and HDMI Cables • Construction: • Coaxial cables and HDMI cables feature copper wires.

• HDMI cables comprise four shielded twisted pairs of copper wires.

• Optical cables are made of optical fibers.

• Audio: • Optical digital signals transmit DTS & Dolby Digital sounds • Digital coaxial cables offer 5:1 channel surround sound.

• HDMI audio connections are designed to support high-quality sound.

Comparisons (contd.)

• Video: • Digital coaxial and optical cables do not support video transmission.

• HDMI can support both formats but are expensive than the other two cables

• Bandwidth: • The optical cable can support bandwidth up to 96 kHz • Coaxial cables can support high-quality audio formats up to 192 kHz. • HDMI cables have evolved over the years and they support high bandwidths.

Conclusion • Coaxial, digital coaxial, and HDMI cables are nowadays available in different configurations and you can choose the ones that meet our application requirements. The demand for HDMI cables is increasing owing to different advantages that it offers. Many businesses using traditional cables are using HDMI to fiber converters for improving the quality of signal transmission.