Agree ako kay sir Matz, pero bigyan na rin kita ng version ko:
I only found out recently that to connect a dvd player to a receiver (AUDIO), only one cable is needed and that is by either using coax or toslink.
Talaga ba I don't need to connect the analog usual red and white stereo connections together with the digital coax/toslink?
If you mean na tutunog naman kung isang cable lang, then you're right. One digital connection will suffice. You don't need the RCA connections because the receiver will also output 2-channel stereo with a digital input.
I see.... there is really no point of connecting the L/R analog out of the dvd player to the receiver if stereo will not be used.
Before you decide on whether or not an RCA connection is necessary, you should first know why an analog input (RCA) is different from a digital input (coax or toslink) in this instance. Otherwise, your conclusion will have no proper basis.
Using the player's digital out, the digital data from the source is output as is. When input to the receiver, the digital signal is processed by the receiver's internal DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), which converts the signal to analog, then the receiver amplifies the analog signal.
If the player's RCA analog out is used, the digital signal from the source is first processed by the player's own internal DAC, which converts the signal to analog, then sends it to the receiver. When input to the receiver, it amplifies the analog signal.
What's the point in having both analog and digital connections?
To be able to compare which performs better --- the receiver's DAC or the player's DAC.
You might want to try music CDs in 2-channel. Some recordings sound better in 2-channel stereo than in Pro-Logic. Compare a digital connection with an analog connection.
Is there a disadvantage if I use the red and white RCA with the coax/toslink?
No; on the contrary, there is in fact an advantage ----- you get an opportunity to compare the 2 DACs. One might be better than the other; or either might be better, depending on the quality of the source material.
Right now, my L/R analog is also connected to the receiver's dvd input together with the coax.
You suggest I take it out?
I would leave it on.
If you're worried about wire clutter, one more connection won't make much of a difference, especially if you already have 6 wires for 6 speakers, plus additional cables for player and TV interconnects.
I just bundle the cables together with tie wires from Handyman.