I have been patiently awaiting the release and availability of the Denon 5900 DVD player. The back of the player has a set of bnc connections for the component video(set of RCAs, too). There is a statement about 'less noise' using this connection which got me to thinking.

1. Can I improve my picture by constructing my own RGB cables using a 75 Ohm cable or will the DVI still provide the best possible picture?(Using a Samsung 931 via DVI until the Denon arrives)
2. At what distance should I consider using 75 Ohm cables vs. a custom made DVI cable?

I have not dabled in cable arena too much as of yet - outside of of buying Tributaries best cables for interconnects. However, I have a lot of cables going out of my cabinet - power, speaker, video signal, 2-sat disk and 1-OTA and I am wondering about noise and EMI.

I think my video is solid with the Samsung, but I am positive the Denon will be a major upgrade, but I can't help wondering if I could improve the signal by moving to 75 Ohm custome cables for RGB, or should I just stick with the DVI and do some physical separating of my cable runs in the cabinet?

Thanx all in advance for the help.

phatlac

first thing you could do is try a set of made or purchased component videos on the samsung. granted its not bnc, but you can compare dvi vs component. i have read a bit about dvi and while it is all digital the main reason why they are pushing it, is not because it is better, but because it has copy-protection. does that denon have hdmi? the new pioneer elite does... hdmi is copy-protected too, but it is smaller than dvi and seemingly better. there is an article by soundhound about diy cables, everyone seems to like his method.

Umm...digital is better in this case. Your putting another conversion step into the process by using the component outputs into a digital capable TV. Every single review I've read about a DVI equiped player states that the DVI output improves picture quality over the component outputs. I would love to see where you got your facts from on this one. Please do post the link.

You will get less noise with a BNC connection as opposed to a RCA connection because the BNC connection is a much more secure connection. That's why BNC is used in professional installations.

I would stick with the DVI input. The physical seperation of your cables can't hurt also.

Sorry if I'm not technical enough with my information. I'm sure there are some engineers around here who could provide more technical advantages of DVI over Component and also BNC over RCA connectors.

Good luck!

ok so i looked for that article i was reading and couldnt remember where i saw it. why not think about an hdmi dvd player? his question was should he use dvi or bnc, component is relative to bnc so that would be a decent reference!

My understanding is that DVI will likely win out no matter how good a set of component cables you make. Given the option, I'd probably go DVI for any length. Whatever you use, I definitely recommend a bit of cable management -- particularly separating power cables from speaker cables from interconnects and video cables.



That's also been my understanding. RCA's very mainstream, but BNC offers a very reliable mechanical lock/tension to the connection (sort of like using spades or bare wire with bindings posts versus the little spring clip speaker connectors).

DVI does include copy protection, if it is HDCP compliant DVI interface (which the 5900's DVI output is supposed to be). HDCP DVI appears to be becoming something of a standard from what little I've seen lately. HDMI is similar to DVI, but doesn't seem to have been very widely adopted at this point compared to DVI.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

the advantage over hdmi from what ive read is that it is smaller connection and is audio/video in one cable unlike MOST dvi cables which are not. granted some dvi types support audio too... it seems like they are pushing towards a one cable audio/video all digital connection and who can blame them...

I would stick with the DVI because it keeps the signal digital throughout the entire path. with no questions arising as to degredation from signal conversions...

Thanx for the info. Looks like I will be staying with the DVI connection.

I also have a Samsung DirectTV/HDTV set top that has DVI out. I recently located this nifty little device : http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1819
that will allow two DVI sources to be connected and switched to one DVI target. Life just keeps getting better and better!

Phatlac.

Has anyone used RG59/RG6 with F connectors and F to RCA adapters, for interconnect cables? Easier than soldering RCA plugs, but maybe not as good?

seems like a hassle to me.

What Hassle? You simply screw the adapter onto the F connectors on each end and you have a instant interconnect cable using RG59 as Soundhound's DIY. Your answer to my question must be NO, you have not tried the adapters.

It may be easier, but I'd probably prefer to keep the signal path simple -- an extra interface (F-connector to RCA) offers an extra place for trouble (oxidation, poor contact, ...). Not that such troubles are always going to happen, but introducing opportunities for them would make me wary. Just my $0.02...

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

I have actually seen this set up for long cable runs to subs at some audio shops around the country. The F to RCA connectors I have seen have ranged from Canare to Radio Shack.

Most of the regular guys at these shops, the ones that are NOT the sales geeks, all say the 75 Ohm cable with the F to RCA connections are fine and no issues have arised.

I just switched out my old Monster brand sub cable for a 25ft 75 Ohm cable with F to RCA connectors from RS so I could test various locations for the sub. The sub response in its original location with the new cable was no different to my ears. All the connectors are gold plated and tightened down pretty darn good and the RCA connection is extremly solid. Is there a reason why this chould not suffice as a long term solution?

phatlac, I would not see a problem with leaving it that way if it is working.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

i was wondering if you could build a house with rg59/rg6 cables? seems like you can use them for everything else.

I think most contractors prefer to build a house with power tools. RG-6 makes a lousy hammer.

Seriously, RG-59/RG-6 can work for several different applications -- video and line level audio, specifically, which covers most of the stuff we mess with in our home theaters. Optical digital audio, s-video, speaker cables, and new interfaces such as DVI are about the only home theater items that just really can't be done with RG-59. As for the rest of the house, though, I can't see anybody actually finding much use for RG-59 aside from cable TV or TV/radio antenna wiring. Cat5e can be used for both voice and data (although the explosion of wireless networking has made home LANs somewhat easier); it's becoming common in commercial work to use cat5e now for all voice/data, and I think a fair number of people building new homes are choosing to do the same. And obviously the house power wiring needs to be rated for the application, which RG-59 and RG-6 both are not.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review