Dumb coaxial question

Okay...so bit of a dumb question. I can't find my old copy of what hi-fi with the *basics* on connecting AV kit.

I am about to purchase a new lcd and dvd player. Currently, I have a tosh dvd player, pioneer AV receiver and Accoustic Energy surround kit.

I have two QED silver spiral co-axial cables which I got when I purchased the kit. The thing is, I have no idea whether I will need them anymore (LCD will be connected by component/HDMI) and I can't seem to find the answer after a fairly exhaustive search. The receiver does not have an HDMI output.

What are they for?

TIA...Dave

 

Are they digital audio leads or a pair of RCA's audio/analogue leads?

Either way they will have a use for getting audio out of the DVD player as HDMI does not carry audio.

 

Thanks for the reply Scott...ooh not sure...how can I tell? they are identical to these <<www.qed.co.uk/cables/incon/qunex_ss.html>>. they say dual coaxial on them???

just checked out my amp...forgot I have an optical connection for audio. Am I right in assuming optical is better than coaxial?

Dave

 

HDMI 1.1 can carry Dolby/DTS but whatever you connect to needs to be able to decode the signal.

 

What where they used for, i.e. where were they connected?

IMHO there is no audible difference between the two, instead differences are more of a mechanical nature - coax is usually more sturdy. Optical cables can however prevent a ground loop (where applicable) and the hum that normally comes with it.