Which solution is better?

Mates Rates · 9th December 2009, 6:15 PM

Alrighty guys, I have a STB (coaxial and optical connections) and an xbox 360 (optical connection) and I'm wanting to hook them both up to my edifier speakers (has both coaxial and optical connections). I have two solutions in doing this:

1. Have the speakers hooked up to an optical splitter and run the two optical connections to the xbox and STB

2. Hook up the xbox via optical and the STB via coaxial

Which would be the better option?

Cheers

NuggetsMcGregor · 9th December 2009, 6:44 PM

hmmm i would think the splitter is a better idea. the edifiers might have two inputs but it's likely that only one will work at any one time. for example, the optical might override any coaxial connection so you'd have to get up and pull the optical cable out every time you wanted to watch tv.
you'll probably have to get up to switch over the splitter too though.

Mates Rates · 9th December 2009, 7:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NuggetsMcGregor

hmmm i would think the splitter is a better idea. the edifiers might have two inputs but it's likely that only one will work at any one time. for example, the optical might override any coaxial connection so you'd have to get up and pull the optical cable out every time you wanted to watch tv.
you'll probably have to get up to switch over the splitter too though.

Would I still have to get up if the xbox is off while the stb is on and vice versa?

NuggetsMcGregor · 9th December 2009, 7:09 PM

possibly. depends on how the edifiers are wired up.

Mates Rates · 9th December 2009, 7:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NuggetsMcGregor

possibly. depends on how the edifiers are wired up.

Ah right, if it helps, the speakers are the S330D's.

http://www.edifier.ca/english/speakers/s330d/s330d.htm

NuggetsMcGregor · 9th December 2009, 8:08 PM

from the manual :
"Besides the analog inputs, the system has digital inputs, and they have higher priority over the analog inputs. When digital signals are fed into the system, the analog signal will be cut off; and when the digital signals are removed, system will return to play analog inputs."

Seems unclear if you will have to physically pull the cable out or not.

Mates Rates · 9th December 2009, 9:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NuggetsMcGregor

from the manual :
"Besides the analog inputs, the system has digital inputs, and they have higher priority over the analog inputs. When digital signals are fed into the system, the analog signal will be cut off; and when the digital signals are removed, system will return to play analog inputs."

Seems unclear if you will have to physically pull the cable out or not.

Cheers for the help, will just go with the splitter route.

Renza · 9th December 2009, 10:58 PM

you cant do what you want with the splitter, it would help to read the page

Quote:

This device allows you to connect one toslink optical digital audio source device to two different receiving devices such as a A/V receiver and a television. This adapter is designed to split a single signal into two. It will not combine two signals into one. It is generally a one direction adapter.

Mates Rates · 10th December 2009, 4:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renza

you cant do what you want with the splitter, it would help to read the page

Cheers, second solution it is.

NuggetsMcGregor · 10th December 2009, 4:51 PM

it can be done with a switch tho. my buddy has one. dunno what it's called but a search for something like a/v switch would probably find something. but it's money you'll have to spend. just plug them both into the edifiers and see what happens. you may find that all you need to do is turn off the digital input device rather than unplug it.
can't be sure but i think it's a cheaper option for the manufacturer to use this type of system rather than one which actually disconnects the analog input if something is plugged into the digital input. the only reason i assume this is that on pro-audio gear (which is obviously more expensive) like a mixing console you often find a line input will override the mic input.
im waffling aren't i?
just try it out and see what happens, you're not going to blow anything up

Mates Rates · 10th December 2009, 5:41 PM

Guys, wtf?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-Bi-Direc...item45efb1182a

Quote:

This dual-purpose optical device works as both an optical switch and an optical splitter. As a switch, it will allow you to connect more than one input source to your home theater amplifier/receiver. Connect up to 2 audio sources and choose between them, rather than dealing with the hassle of constantly unplugging and reconnecting cables. Switch between digital audio components such as your satellite receiver, CD/DVD player, and video game console with ease. Just connect 2 of your audio sources to one end of this switch, and connect the other end to your amplifier/receiver. Then simply power on the source you would like to hear, and this device will auto sense it and begin outputting the audio to your amplifier/receiver.

This device also works as an optical splitter. It will allow you to connect one digital audio input source, and split the signal to 2 home theater receiving devices. Now you can split the digital signal from your CD, DVD or other digital optical device and connect it to both your receiver and digital video recorder (DVR). This device is easy to use and does not require a power source, making it a must-have for any home theater enthusiast.

# Features: Bi-directional dual-purpose digital optical switch/splitter
# Works as a switch to connect 2 optical input sources to your amplifier/receiver
# Works as a splitter to connect 1 optical input source to 2 Toslink optical receiving devices
# Jacks are compatible with fiber optical cables with Toslink connectors at each end
# Provides interference and distortion free signal transmission (0 db signal loss)
# PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS signals can be passed through this unit

Works with the following audio/video components: Optical home or portable audio components such as a digital receiver, CD/DVD player, video game console, MP3 player, cable/satellite receiver to your home theater system with a digital optical input.

Specifications: connectors for input 2 Toslink optical jacks, connectors for output 1 Toslink optical jack, bi-directional (can go in reverse direction), dimensions 2.5"x1.5"x.5", weight .05lbs.

List of Contents: digital optical audio switch, one year manufacturer's warranty.

TMM · 10th December 2009, 7:55 PM

that switch/splitter should work, because it seems to be mechanical rather then electronic therefore it doesn't matter if each signal is "in" or "out" it just allows the light to travel from one cable to another.

What i would try first is to plug both in at the same time (coax/optical) and see what happens. You might find that they each work independently, but if both are turned on at the same time it doesn't as both signals will overlap causing a garbled input to your speakers.

9th December 2009, 6:15 PM	#1
Mates Rates Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 90	Which solution is better? Alrighty guys, I have a STB (coaxial and optical connections) and an xbox 360 (optical connection) and I'm wanting to hook them both up to my edifier speakers (has both coaxial and optical connections). I have two solutions in doing this: 1. Have the speakers hooked up to an optical splitter and run the two optical connections to the xbox and STB 2. Hook up the xbox via optical and the STB via coaxial Which would be the better option? Cheers __________________ Successful Purchases / Sales (42): Vladdo, Viper6, Clubby, doodz, Cool Barn, czaja74, Fischbitz X2, Spamz0r, orchidophile, the_cripple, geekygirl, pza, FreshPrince, gmeup, Craigleberry, DeadlyAssassin, NewKleer, pc168, nismohks, Pyranite, bob(nz) X2, Bandito, T4orce, iCrunk, onbail, idiotek, [LoL], Di$TRe$$, Flux, VTY, ToBiAs_R33per, vodkashot, Andrew357, willy88, dogthinker, douver, taovdg, Sonik_Simo, de_overfiend, fatguy1992 Last edited by Mates Rates; 9th December 2009 at 6:51 PM.

10th December 2009, 7:55 PM	#12
TMM Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7,545	that switch/splitter should work, because it seems to be mechanical rather then electronic therefore it doesn't matter if each signal is "in" or "out" it just allows the light to travel from one cable to another. What i would try first is to plug both in at the same time (coax/optical) and see what happens. You might find that they each work independently, but if both are turned on at the same time it doesn't as both signals will overlap causing a garbled input to your speakers. __________________ AWOL Last edited by TMM; 10th December 2009 at 8:00 PM.

9th December 2009, 6:44 PM	#2
NuggetsMcGregor Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 627	hmmm i would think the splitter is a better idea. the edifiers might have two inputs but it's likely that only one will work at any one time. for example, the optical might override any coaxial connection so you'd have to get up and pull the optical cable out every time you wanted to watch tv. you'll probably have to get up to switch over the splitter too though.

9th December 2009, 7:09 PM	#4
NuggetsMcGregor Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 627	possibly. depends on how the edifiers are wired up.

9th December 2009, 8:08 PM	#6
NuggetsMcGregor Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 627	from the manual : "Besides the analog inputs, the system has digital inputs, and they have higher priority over the analog inputs. When digital signals are fed into the system, the analog signal will be cut off; and when the digital signals are removed, system will return to play analog inputs." Seems unclear if you will have to physically pull the cable out or not.

10th December 2009, 4:51 PM	#10
NuggetsMcGregor Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 627	it can be done with a switch tho. my buddy has one. dunno what it's called but a search for something like a/v switch would probably find something. but it's money you'll have to spend. just plug them both into the edifiers and see what happens. you may find that all you need to do is turn off the digital input device rather than unplug it. can't be sure but i think it's a cheaper option for the manufacturer to use this type of system rather than one which actually disconnects the analog input if something is plugged into the digital input. the only reason i assume this is that on pro-audio gear (which is obviously more expensive) like a mixing console you often find a line input will override the mic input. im waffling aren't i? just try it out and see what happens, you're not going to blow anything up