Importance of *missing* Optical Out ?

I posted this in another group which has little activity, so no responses. I
thought I would try here, to see if anyone has time to help me.

-----
I am still looking at combo VCR/DVDs, and one unit I like, that has been pretty
favorably rated, has comments about missing an optical out. What requires this?

I'm worried about buying something that won't have enough connections for my PIP
TV... and the players, because I don't understand *what* can be connected by a
"component" or "composite", etc., hook up.

Here's a link that shows the back of the unit I'm looking at:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-bGv8iwx...display=XL#Tab

Hope it doesn't wrap and works, if it does, will this unit handle the PIP
feature of my TV; and allow me to watch TV on one channel, AND record
another.... WITHOUT a cable box?

I know I had to have an A/B switch on my old VCR, to get around getting a cable
box. Since I don't have a cable tuner, should I be looking for spec's that say
they have a cable or A/B switch? Or is that something that is standard now?

Thanks for curing my ignorance... anyone.
bj

chicagofan

"chicagofan" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I posted this in another group which has little activity, so no responses.
>I thought I would try here, to see if anyone has time to help me.
>
> -----
> I am still looking at combo VCR/DVDs, and one unit I like, that has been
> pretty favorably rated, has comments about missing an optical out. What
> requires this?

The digital audio output if for connection to a digital receiver/home
theater system. It is required to provide a digital audio bitstream to the
decoder in the receiver, for Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound ("5.1"
etc.).

There are two methods for making this connection: optical cables or coaxial
cables. There is no performance difference. Most AV receivers have one or
more of both types.

The lack of an optical digital audio output is not a drawback. In fact, coax
is not just functionally equivalent, but you can use cheaper cables and run
them farther. Optical connections are sexy, but offer no performance
advantage.

RichC

Rich Clark

In article <kqydnbV4xurSrL_fRVn->, Rich Clark
<> wrote:

> "chicagofan" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> >I posted this in another group which has little activity, so no responses.
> >I thought I would try here, to see if anyone has time to help me.
> >
> > -----
> > I am still looking at combo VCR/DVDs, and one unit I like, that has been
> > pretty favorably rated, has comments about missing an optical out. What
> > requires this?
>
> The digital audio output if for connection to a digital receiver/home
> theater system. It is required to provide a digital audio bitstream to the
> decoder in the receiver, for Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound ("5.1"
> etc.).
>
> There are two methods for making this connection: optical cables or coaxial
> cables. There is no performance difference. Most AV receivers have one or
> more of both types.
>
> The lack of an optical digital audio output is not a drawback. In fact, coax
> is not just functionally equivalent, but you can use cheaper cables and run
> them farther. Optical connections are sexy, but offer no performance
> advantage.
>
When I bought my new dvd player, I had a hell of a time finding one
that had coaxial outputs for DD 5.1. All the cheaper models just had
stereo and optical outputs. Naturally, after I finally got one my
reciever died and I ended up buying a new one with optical inputs.

--
Chris Mack "Refugee, total ****. That's how I've always seen us.
'Invid Fan' Not a help, you'll admit, to agreement between us."
-'Deal/No Deal', CHESS

Invid Fan

Rich Clark wrote:
> "chicagofan" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>
>>I posted this in another group which has little activity, so no responses.
>>I thought I would try here, to see if anyone has time to help me.
>>
>>-----
>>I am still looking at combo VCR/DVDs, and one unit I like, that has been
>>pretty favorably rated, has comments about missing an optical out. What
>>requires this?
>
>
> The digital audio output if for connection to a digital receiver/home
> theater system. It is required to provide a digital audio bitstream to the
> decoder in the receiver, for Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound ("5.1"
> etc.).
>
> There are two methods for making this connection: optical cables or coaxial
> cables. There is no performance difference. Most AV receivers have one or
> more of both types.
>
> The lack of an optical digital audio output is not a drawback. In fact, coax
> is not just functionally equivalent, but you can use cheaper cables and run
> them farther. Optical connections are sexy, but offer no performance
> advantage.
>
> RichC


Thanks for the quick response. How about the second part of my question re:
connections?

"I know I had to have an A/B switch on my old VCR, to get around getting a cable
box. Since I don't have a cable tuner, should I be looking for spec's that say
they have a cable or A/B switch? Or is that something that is standard now?"

I can only find VCR's with this feature mentioned, and wondered if the combo's
don't need it? Or I can't buy a combo because it has a cheaper unit in it, and
doesn't have one? Am I making any sense? TIA...
bj

chicagofan

"chicagofan" <> wrote in message
news:...

> Thanks for the quick response. How about the second part of my question
> re: connections?
>
> "I know I had to have an A/B switch on my old VCR, to get around getting a
> cable box. Since I don't have a cable tuner, should I be looking for
> spec's that say they have a cable or A/B switch? Or is that something
> that is standard now?"
>
> I can only find VCR's with this feature mentioned, and wondered if the
> combo's don't need it? Or I can't buy a combo because it has a cheaper
> unit in it, and doesn't have one? Am I making any sense? TIA...
> bj

What's a VCR? <g>

Seriously:

A/B switches are not standard. And you really don't want to connect this
thing using RF cable anyway, if you can avoid it, particularly for the DVD
section. It's more an issue of what inputs your TV and audio system have.

If your TV has an S-Video (Y/C) input (or better, a component input), use it
for the DVD output of the player. Then use either a composite ("yellow"
video line in) or RF (channel 3/4) input for the VCR section.

You will still need to split the incoming cable if want to connect it to the
TV for watching one channel while you record another channel on the VCR. But
you'll only need the A/B switch if you have no Video In on the TV for the
VCR. Of course, this is no different from your current situation.

If your TV has no inputs other than an RF (antenna) input, then your
situation is unchanged. You can connect this unit the same way as your
current VCR (while keeping in mind that you won't be seeing or hearing much
of the improvement DVD offers over videotape).

RichC

Rich Clark

On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 15:37:50 -0500, chicagofan <>
wrote:

>I posted this in another group which has little activity, so no responses. I
>thought I would try here, to see if anyone has time to help me.
>
>-----
>I am still looking at combo VCR/DVDs, and one unit I like, that has been pretty
>favorably rated, has comments about missing an optical out. What requires this?
>
This is only required if you have a digital A/V receiver that only has
optical digital audio inputs. Most, if not all, of these receivers
now should have at least one coax digital audio in, so this shouldn't
be something to be concerned about, provided you get a receiver with a
coax in.

>I'm worried about buying something that won't have enough connections for my PIP
>TV... and the players, because I don't understand *what* can be connected by a
>"component" or "composite", etc., hook up.
>
>Here's a link that shows the back of the unit I'm looking at:
>
>http://www.crutchfield.com/S-bGv8iwx...display=XL#Tab
>
>Hope it doesn't wrap and works, if it does, will this unit handle the PIP
>feature of my TV; and allow me to watch TV on one channel, AND record
>another.... WITHOUT a cable box?
>
>I know I had to have an A/B switch on my old VCR, to get around getting a cable
>box. Since I don't have a cable tuner, should I be looking for spec's that say
>they have a cable or A/B switch? Or is that something that is standard now?
>
All the DVD/VCR combo units I've seen, including this one, have the
same capabilities as a VCR for PIP and onboard tuning. They all have
onboard cable for analog nonscrambled stations and OTA tuners. For
your VCR or the combo unit, an A/B switch isn't required to do what
you want for the unscrambled analog cable channels. Simply hook up
the cable from the wall to the antenna in on the unit, the RF out to
the TV antenna in and the A/V outs from the unit to the TV aux in.
Use the best vid connection the TV will take, be it S-Vid, composite
or component. Not all combo players necessarily have their tuner and
VCR video outputs through component outs, so check for that feature if
your TV has component inputs that will work with PIP.

Gary E
--
|Gary A. Edelstein
| (remove NO SPAM and .invalid to reply)
|"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Walt Kelly's Pogo

Gary A. Edelstein

Rich Clark wrote:
> "chicagofan" <> wrote
>>"I know I had to have an A/B switch on my old VCR, to get around getting a
>>cable box. Since I don't have a cable tuner, should I be looking for
>>spec's that say they have a cable, or A/B switch? Or is that something
>>that is standard now?"
>>
>>I can only find VCR's with this feature mentioned, and wondered if the
>>combo's don't need it? Or I can't buy a combo because it has a cheaper
>>unit in it, and doesn't have one? Am I making any sense? TIA...
>>bj
>
>
> What's a VCR? <g>

LOL... thanks for not ignoring me, because I'm "behind the times".


> Seriously:
>
> A/B switches are not standard. And you really don't want to connect this
> thing using RF cable anyway, if you can avoid it, particularly for the DVD
> section. It's more an issue of what inputs your TV and audio system have.

OK... that's why I want to be sure whatever I buy, has the same capabilities my
VCR [that died] had. As my cable company told me, the A/B switch was required;
unless of course I paid them to come out and install something.


> If your TV has an S-Video (Y/C) input (or better, a component input), use it
> for the DVD output of the player. Then use either a composite ("yellow"
> video line in) or RF (channel 3/4) input for the VCR section.

The TV does have an S-video input, but nothing labeled component. It's 4 yrs. old.


> You will still need to split the incoming cable if want to connect it to the
> TV for watching one channel while you record another channel on the VCR.

This is what I don't understand. I HAVE recorded with my old VCR and DIRECT
cable input... no splitter, or cable box... and watched another channel. And
that is exactly what I want to do most of the time. I only subscribe to the
expanded basic channels [about 80].


> But > you'll only need the A/B switch if you have no Video In on the TV for the
> VCR. Of course, this is no different from your current situation.

I do have Video IN on my TV, but I fear my next VCR or combo won't have what I
need to continue recording while watching another channel... without getting a
cable box.


> If your TV has no inputs other than an RF (antenna) input, then your
> situation is unchanged. You can connect this unit the same way as your
> current VCR (while keeping in mind that you won't be seeing or hearing much
> of the improvement DVD offers over videotape).
>
> RichC

My TV has an Ant A coax, S-Video, 2 sets of video & L/R audio IN, and 1 set
video & L/R audio OUT. Hope something I've said makes sense. Thanks...
bj

chicagofan

Gary A. Edelstein wrote:
> chicagofan <> wrote:
>>I am still looking at combo VCR/DVDs, and one unit I like, that has been pretty
>>favorably rated, has comments about missing an optical out. What requires this?
>
>
> This is only required if you have a digital A/V receiver that only has
> optical digital audio inputs. Most, if not all, of these receivers
> now should have at least one coax digital audio in, so this shouldn't
> be something to be concerned about, provided you get a receiver with a
> coax in.

Thanks, I don't have an elaborate home system, just some TVs, and 1 VCR.


>>I'm worried about buying something that won't have enough connections for my PIP
>>TV... and the players, because I don't understand *what* can be connected by a
>>"component" or "composite", etc., hook up.
>>
>> <> will this unit handle the PIP feature of my TV; and allow me to watch TV
>> on one channel, AND record another... WITHOUT... a cable box?
>>
>>I know I had to have an A/B switch on my old VCR, to get around getting a cable
>>box. Since I don't have a cable tuner, should I be looking for spec's that say
>>they have a cable, or A/B switch? Or is that something that is standard now?
>
>
> All the DVD/VCR combo units I've seen, including this one, have the
> same capabilities as a VCR for PIP and onboard tuning. They all have
> onboard cable for analog nonscrambled stations and OTA tuners. For
> your VCR or the combo unit, an A/B switch isn't required to do what
> you want for the unscrambled analog cable channels.

That must be why it had worked before... "Expanded basic" channels is only about
80 channels, and that's all I have.


> Simply hook up
> the cable from the wall to the antenna in on the unit, the RF out to
> the TV antenna in and the A/V outs from the unit to the TV aux in.
> Use the best vid connection the TV will take, be it S-Vid, composite
> or component. Not all combo players necessarily have their tuner and
> VCR video outputs through component outs, so check for that feature if
> your TV has component inputs that will work with PIP.
>
> Gary E
> --

OK... the best connection my TV has, is S-video. However, the Recoton PIP
installation kit, Best Buy sold me[which the installer forgot to use], has
everything, but an S-video cable.

This is what I have: a 4 yr old Philips TV with an Ant A coax, S-Video, 2 sets
of video & L/R audio IN; and 1 set video & L/R audio OUT.

Also this Recoton PIP installation kit with all these brand new gold cables; 4
"F to F" cables, different lengths, l 6ft. RCA to RCA Video cable, and l 6ft.
Dual RCA to RCA cable... plus, what is attached to my TV and old VCR now.

Also in the Recoton kit is a 2 way splitter.

So, if I understand you correctly, The JVC at this link:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-bGv8iwx...display=XL#Tab

would do the job, but I would probably have to use that splitter, right? And
you recommend... that for better quality video, I buy the additional S-video
cable... right?

The diagrams look simple enough, but when the players don't say the same thing
as cable IDs mentioned ... I worry. Like I don't know what "RF" means, or "F to
F". Thanks for your patience. I have to get this right, so I don't have to
pay someone to come out here several times... to help me move this heavy
furniture, and re-connect everything.
bj

chicagofan

On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:03:05 -0500, chicagofan <>
wrote:

>I have to get this right, so I don't have to
>pay someone to come out here several times... to help me move this heavy
>furniture, and re-connect everything.
>
Here is basically the same setup I recommended, but perhaps in a
clearer presentation that accounts for your subsequent posts:

- Raw cable from wall to antenna in (VHF/UHF in) on combo unit. This
will use a 75 ohm male 'f' to male 'f' connector.

- Combo unit to TV: RF out (VHF/UHF out) to TV antenna in with a 75
ohm male 'f' to male 'f' connector. DVD/VCR composite video (yellow
RCA connector) and L/R analog audio (red and white RCA connectors)
outs to TV AUX inputs. Optional: DVD S-Vid out to TV S-vid in,
provided the TV has separate composite and S-Vid inputs that aren't
shared. Keep in mind the S-Vid out is only for the DVD player and
apparently won't output the VCR video. It also may not output the
tuner video.

As far as I can tell you don't need an A/B switch or the 75 ohm cable
splitter. Those are needed only if you have a cable box.

Gary E
--
|Gary A. Edelstein
| (remove NO SPAM and .invalid to reply)
|"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Walt Kelly's Pogo

Gary A. Edelstein

Gary A. Edelstein wrote:
> On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:03:05 -0500, chicagofan <>
> wrote:
>
>
>>I have to get this right, so I don't have to
>>pay someone to come out here several times... to help me move this heavy
>>furniture, and re-connect everything.
>>
>
> Here is basically the same setup I recommended, but perhaps in a
> clearer presentation that accounts for your subsequent posts:
>
> - Raw cable from wall to antenna in (VHF/UHF in) on combo unit. This
> will use a 75 ohm male 'f' to male 'f' connector.
>
> - Combo unit to TV: RF out (VHF/UHF out) to TV antenna in with a 75
> ohm male 'f' to male 'f' connector. DVD/VCR composite video (yellow
> RCA connector) and L/R analog audio (red and white RCA connectors)
> outs to TV AUX inputs. Optional: DVD S-Vid out to TV S-vid in,
> provided the TV has separate composite and S-Vid inputs that aren't
> shared. Keep in mind the S-Vid out is only for the DVD player and
> apparently won't output the VCR video. It also may not output the
> tuner video.

But if I used the TV's S-vid INPUT for the DVD, and the composite INPUT for the
DVD/VCR combo output... that should cover the video tuner... right?


> As far as I can tell you don't need an A/B switch or the 75 ohm cable
> splitter. Those are needed only if you have a cable box.
>
> Gary E

I think with the reassurance I've gotten here that the combo should be equal to
what I have, if I just get the cables right, I should be able to see that it
gets installed right, this time. I appreciate so much everyone's help, and that
FAQ for the group helped too.

Barbara

chicagofan