Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Type of digital cable

Jun 2, 2012 10:55AM PDT

My 5 year old Phillips flat screen TV says to use a digital audio coaxial cable to connect to an external sound source. Will a digital optical cable work for that?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: cable
Jun 2, 2012 8:59PM PDT

If both the TV and the external sound source have a slot for a digital audio cable, it should work. If one of the two only supports coax, it won't.

Compare it with human communication. Sound will work if the sender can speak and the receiver can hear. Light signals will work if the sender has a flashlight and the receiver can see. But if you're not compatible (the receiver of the sound is deaf, the receiver of the flashlight signals is blind) it won't work.

So all I can say: check the specs of both devices.

Kees

- Collapse -
Answer
No . . .
Jun 4, 2012 10:55PM PDT

Coax cable is copper, optical is fiber. The two are not interchangeable. Note the connectors. Totally different.