Page 1 of Which is better? 5.1outputs or optical?

I need some info on which of the two will give me better sound quality?
I haven`t bought the DVD player yet, but i`m looking at purchasing the LG3350E with 5.1ch outputs. I`m also looking to purchase a DD & DTS amp (perhaps the Sherwood RVD 6095R), but before I make my purchases I`d like some insights into which is the better connection to use and why?
any info u peeps can supply will be much appreciated :-)

most stuff i have read seems to say the digital co-axial out is better than an optical out.
but then i cant tell the difference between a normal fart and a ....ooh sorry

This item was edited on Tuesday, 19th September 2000, 20:29

Hi
I think it really boils down to what is the best part in the system , if the dvd player is better than the amp (eg Sony dvd player and £200 amp) and is has 5.1 output then use the 5.1 output on the player .
But if the amp is better than the player (in most cases) use optical output and let the amp do the decoding.
With the setup you describe I would use the amp for decoding , you will need to use optical/amp decoding for DTS as , if my memory serves, that player only decodes Dolby digital and not DTS

As far as I am aware both 5.1 output and digital output are both as good as each other for sound , but its what machine has the better decoding.
Also digital leads take up less space than 5.1 leads which = less mess.

Hope this helps
James

Cheers for the replies peeps :-)
I think the digital option will be cheaper as well (for leads)

coax and optical and more or less identical, they both carry the same digital signal that does not degrade in the way that analogue transmitions do. Technically optical is the better as coax an still be affected if the RF inteference is very strong. The only reason that coax is recommended over optical by many is because it`s a tried and tested technolgy and people don`t trust the newer optical technolgy.


As for what connection to use.

If you have an external decoder they use the optical or coax (which ever you can get hold of) and use that connection method as the 5.1 anaolgue connections use the dvd players internal decoder which is made from cheaper and inferior components (that might not be as shielded) than an external decoder/amp.