I seem to get the occasional bit of static with this cable now (never happened before). Now from what I was told (and know), when you have one end of the cable plugged into a device, both ends should light up red right? Well I notice that only one end on my cable only lits up....so is that a sign that the cable needs replacement? And maybe a bad cable can be causing the static? I dont have another fibre cable on me right now, cause I ordered another one last week and waiting for it to arrive.

The signal is optical, so if you don't see the red on both ends, it's damaged. If a fibre optic cable gets kinked it usually stops working. Don't buy anything silly expensive, anything at Monoprice is fine.

Well, one end of the link is a transmitter (a tiny red LED flashlight) and the other end of the link is a receiver (a tiny red-sensitive electronic eyeball).

So, if you pull one end of the link and look at it, it will be red. If you pull the other end off, it will be dark.

Ok thanks for the reply guys but you two guys opinions are complete opposites lol. I just need to know if this is normal for one end of be glowing red and the other dark (no light).

Do you have another cable hooked up to a different component that works? If so, swap them and see what happens. Then you will know if it is the cable or a bigger issue with one of your components.....

Plug one end into your source component (that's plugged in and turned on). Look at the other end. It must be red.

Now, if you want to get really paranoid, turn your cable around (still using only the source component). It will still be red on the loose end.

If you plug it into a "destination" (like your receiver, outboard D/A, etc), the loose end will NOT glow red, as the Toslink receiver port is just that, only a receiver, not a transmitter. I suspect Jesse didn't exactly answer what you were asking, perhaps from a misunderstanding somewhere.

Do you have another cable hooked up to a different component that works? If so, swap them and see what happens. Then you will know if it is the cable or a bigger issue with one of your components.....

Dont have another optic cable yet, but its on its way from Monoprice - ordered it before I noticed this problem since I needed two anyways.

Plug one end into your source component (that's plugged in and turned on). Look at the other end. It must be red.

Now, if you want to get really paranoid, turn your cable around (still using only the source component). It will still be red on the loose end.

If you plug it into a "destination" (like your receiver, outboard D/A, etc), the loose end will NOT glow red, as the Toslink receiver port is just that, only a receiver, not a transmitter. I suspect Jesse didn't exactly answer what you were asking, perhaps from a misunderstanding somewhere.

I see what you mean, I flipped the cable around and the red omits, still only from the end going to the receiver. I guess its normal and my cable is probably fine.

I seem to get the occasional bit of static with this cable now (never happened before). Now from what I was told (and know), when you have one end of the cable plugged into a device, both ends should light up red right? Well I notice that only one end on my cable only lits up....so is that a sign that the cable needs replacement? And maybe a bad cable can be causing the static? I dont have another fibre cable on me right now, cause I ordered another one last week and waiting for it to arrive.

Hi Princeismyname,

I want to share what I have learned from my officemate back in 1997 when I was working for ALCATEL. Back then he was like at 64 years old. :D Anyways, we've tried this technique even on fiber optic cables longer than 1,000 ft.

So here it is. I just did this few minutes ago. I placed it on top of a table where there was a nearby ceiling light.

I covered the other end with so that light doesn't pass thru.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3432/nolighttoslinkqm4.jpg

Now, I pointed the other end towards the light. It doesn't have to be close. In your case if it's behind the drywall, you can just use a flash light, put it in a fixed position and go to the other end. Check if you see the light. If not, that's bad. Remember that you should not bend optic cables more than 90 degrees even if it can.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6476/withlighttoslinkou5.jpg

This is also a safer way to not affect your eyes as compared to looking at the light coming from receiver. It is bad. Hope this helps. :)

Hi Princeismyname,

I want to share what I have learned from my officemate back in 1997 when I was working for ALCATEL. Back then he was like at 64 years old. :D Anyways, we've tried this technique even on fiber optic cables longer than 1,000 ft.

So here it is. I just did this few minutes ago. I placed it on top of a table where there was a nearby ceiling light.

I covered the other end with so that light doesn't pass thru.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3432/nolighttoslinkqm4.jpg

Now, I pointed the other end towards the light. It doesn't have to be close. In your case if it's behind the drywall, you can just use a flash light, put it in a fixed position and go to the other end. Check if you see the light. If not, that's bad. Remember that you should not bend optic cables more than 90 degrees even if it can.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6476/withlighttoslinkou5.jpg

This is also a safer way to not affect your eyes as compared to looking at the light coming from receiver. It is bad. Hope this helps. :)

why would you say it is bad? It's basically a red LED, not a laser.

why would you say it is bad? It's basically a red LED, not a laser.

Did I tell that if it was RED, it was bad? I never mentioned anything red. What I understood from his post was that, he wasn't seeing any light coming out. But of course, I'm also assuming that the op has 2 optics cables, for RX and TX.

That's why I mentioned to remove the connections from the equipments on both ends. Then on one end, point the flash light to the 2 optic cable ends. Then go to the other side of those cables and check if those 2 optic ends are lighted. Simple.

EDIT: hoye, oh, thanks for correcting me. I was under the impression that lights coming out from players are bad to our eyes.

Now I understand his post. :D

There is only one end that should light up because one side transmits(coming out from player like dvd) and the other one is the receiver(our a/v receiver).

So yeah, your cable is fine. :)

thanks virtuo.

Hey I did not know that fibre optic cables should not be bent more than 90 degrees. Does it affect the signal? Ruin the cable? Wow didnt know that.

thanks virtuo.

Hey I did not know that fibre optic cables should not be bent more than 90 degrees. Does it affect the signal? Ruin the cable? Wow didnt know that.

It can get ruined but that's what I have been told during my training days. So, I just followed the rule. Not sure if it's true.

found a link, http://www.sunrisephotonics.com/Fiber%20optic%20cables.html

scroll down, it's on #2 under Fiber optic cable maintenance:

2.Do not bend the fiber optic cable too much - if you bend it, it is better not exceed 90 degree, otherwise the fiberglass inside the jacket may get broken and the cable will be damaged.

found a link, http://www.sunrisephotonics.com/Fiber%20optic%20cables.html

scroll down, it's on #2 under Fiber optic cable maintenance:

Interesting, thanks! Definitely didnt know that! I cant wait for my new cable to get here, wanna see if its the cable or not...that will forsure tell me.

The signal is optical, so if you don't see the red on both ends, it's damaged. If a fibre optic cable gets kinked it usually stops working. Don't buy anything silly expensive, anything at Monoprice is fine.

That was my guess when I saw the title of the thread he’s got a brake between the optical cable.

I’ve even tried using blu tack attached to each end to hold it and a strip of fibre optical cable many years ago many and yes it does work if you get the light travelling down the cable no worries.:)