Recoton ADC900 Audio Digital Optical cable, Toslink to Toslink, (3 feet)

Optical cable interconnects for A/V equipment with digital input and output jacks. Using the digital connection prevents interference and improves sound quality. Toslink style connectors.

I notice allot of confusion on this site regarding Toslink (optical) cables. First off these have no effect on video whatsoever, secondly they are not influenced by RF noise like copper cables and 3rd they are but one of 3 major ways (not including PC cards) to hook up a true 5.1 surround sound system. Since interference isn't an issue it's tough to justify a very expensive optical cable. They are all essentially made the same way from the same materials. Sure some have a gold plated tip but this doesn't do anything but keep the tip from corroding, In theory plastic is perhaps the best for this. Also the protective coating is more important in keeping the cable from breaking rather then from keeping out interference like a good video cable does. The other two methods of achieving true 5.1 is with a digital coaxial cable which I consider second in line due to the fact that the signal is transferred to copper and inherits the interference risk. The last method isn't seen much anymore but DVD and Receivers made between 98 and 2000 often have the old 6 channel RCA out which works, but again isn't as good as optical. I hope this help some of you on your decision making. Personally I say buy mid line optical cables and high end video cables. Video cables are most defiantly not created equal. Remember, component, s-video, composite, coaxial rate video connection from best to worst. Even a cheapy component cable will give you a MUCH better picture then say coaxial on a good TV.