I'm back, where are we at with cable boxes?

[Skipjack]

I've been away from the forum for a while guys trying to finish my basement.

Anyway, I bought a new DVD player since my old one died... but, now I have a problem.. my new DVD player doesn't have an optical out... and neither does my cable box (sci-atl HD3100 or something like that)... and my receiver only has one RCA-style digital input.  (do the math, I think you'll see where I'm going with this).

Long story short, I need a new cable box.. something that offers an optical out.

So, I thought I would check with you guys to see what I should ask for.  Last I checked the Pioneer boxes seemed the way to go.   I don't have the PVR service. I'm at my personal limit cable bill-wise, and that extra $6.95 doesn't seem worth it to me.

[EDIT] Oh yeah, I have Time Warner, btw.  :blush:

[mhz40]

I think the Pace HD and Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD DVR boxes have optical audio output ports.
Be careful... both ports (1 optical and 1 coax) are on one shared input on my audio receiver.  

[kevbeck122]

The Pace DC551 does.. it seems impossible to get from TWC though.

[murdoc]

You could get a "splitter" and run it backwards.  Ideally you would have 2 inputs going to 1 output.  Something like this maybe?

[drgingras]

If you're planning on sticking with your receiver, you might want to consider this:

Audio Authority 4 x 1

I've been using their component/audio autoswitcher for 4 years - works perfect every time, never have to touch it. copperbox is another authorized reseller, and you could always check fleabay.

Dave

[Joseph S]

I have the AA digital audio box and it works well, the only drawback is it's autoswitching without an IR input which can limit some applications. The autoswitching of the component glitched with things that dropped signal (PS2 and Gamecube).

Zektor has nice products if you're looking for multichannel analog audio switching and/or component plus accompanying digital audio.

Another solution is an optical/coax converter box which will allow you to connect whatever single output you have to whatever option is left on the receiver.

[Skipjack]

Thanks for the input guys (hah.. get it?.. "input"... I slay myself).

The AA box looks like a great idea.. but seems a little pricey just to jump between two sources... but will definitely keep it in mind if I ever add another source.

Be careful... both ports (1 optical and 1 coax) are on one shared input on my audio receiver.

Mine doesn't have this limitation.  I've used it already with both optical and coax occupied... until my DVD player died. >snif<

I guess I didn't think about it when I bought my receiver... but, is optical on it's way out?  I mean, it doesn't provide any significant advantage over a quality coax (not one that isn't debatable, anyway).   When I told my wife to go out and get me a new DVD player.. I just kind of assumed that it would have an optical out on it.  

Is there an advantage to getting either the PACE or Sci-Atl 8300?

[kevbeck122]

The Pace is probably the best non-DVR HD box you can get IMO.  Picture quality and speed is nearly the same as the 8300HD.  I had the Pioneer 3510HD, which had a soft picture for all of the SD channels, the box froze up a bunch on HD channels when using the guide and it was really slow while on HD channels.  I'm not sure about the Scientific Atlanta non-DVR boxes, but I've heard of people having problems with those too.  The SA8300HD will just give you DVR and the better looking interface over the Pace box.