I want to be able to hook up one dvd player via coax digital connection for audio and a second dvd player via optical digital audio...it would use the same dvd/ld option on my reciever...can this be done?? i mean when one player is on and the other off will the reciever send the audio signal to the player that is on and everything will output perfectly fine? i am not sure if this can be done. if someone knows what in the hell i am talking about i would so appreciate a right or wrong on my part. thanks in advance.

Most likely the answer is no. You would have to reconfigure your reciever everytime you switch which one you are watching. Why would you need to hook up 2 dvd players anyway?
Also, why did you post two threads with the same question within a day of eachother?

Technically, yes. Set your reciever to auto, make SURE that only one is on at a time. I dont recomend it but you can do it.

why not recommend? what are the ramifications? this is the first and only time i posted something like this. the other was a completely different post if you read, similar subject, but different.

Scott, the answer depends on what is necessary to do to the receiver when you select whether you use coax or optical when you play a DVD. If it auto-detects, as CB said, then it should work without any action on your part.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

Can't the physical inputs simply be assigned to different inputs in the menu? It doesn't HAVE to say "DVD/LD" for you to play a DVD.

i believe so..you are saying like hook 2nd dvd player audio up to CD or MD/Tape option? i could do that, but i would like to hook 2nd dvd player up via optical digital audio rather than composite and that only inputs to dvd/ld. couldn't i use that as well as the 1st DVDp hooked up via coax digital as long as 1st player is off when 2nd player is on?

Yes, that's what I meant, but about the digital connection. So that apparently won't work for you. If it's just the audio you need to connect, try this:
[Link: partsexpress.com]

well i got my player and just for an update..i can hook up both coax and optical audio to reciever with no probs. one input actually goes to dvd in and one goes to video 2 in so there is no conflict whatsoever..i am now region free and lovin every minute of it!!

I am looking to do the same thing. I am running two Sony 400 Disc DVD Changers and want to direct the audio through one amp. Is it possible to use a PCM or digital coax Y cable or splitter since only one Changer will be active at any time.

NO!!!!!!! Don't go there. Look if you have 2 DVD Player then you should have a nice Receiver with assignable Digital inputs. (must Receivers have this option unless you paid dirt for it) Just hook up the first dvd to the dvd input... and the 2nd to VCR 2 input or whatever Video input is available. Going into the setup and set the VCR 2 so it reads the digital input you hook it up to. If you have a problem with the type of input... ((I only have an Optical input left and my other DVD player only has a Coaxial and or visa-versa)visa-versa that means the other way around). Go get a Opitcal to Coaxial converter or Coaxial to Opitcal Converter. You can find these thig on the web at places like orvac.com . I don't like using them but it will fix your problem. I hope this helps.

The answer is Yes, you can do this.

I'm currently doing it myself; I have a Sony DVD player plugged into my Yamaha receiver, plus my Sony Playstation2 that is plugged into my receiver. I just bought a brand new Samsung TV, which has multiple video hookups.

What I've done is run an optical connection to my Yamaha receiver from the PS2 so that I get surround sound when playing games and run JUST the video feed directly into the component video inputs on the TV (the PS2 CAN act as a DVD player for me; I just never use it in that capacity since I don't have the remote control adapter for it...I've already got a DVD player; why waste the extra funds on something I don't need?).

Then, on my Sony DVD player, I've run JUST the Coaxial audio into the receiver and an S-Video connection to the TV.

My particular receiver does have an auto detect function, so it will detect whatever source is outputting sound for the DVD connector (My particular Yamaha model has only 2 optical inputs; 1 is for the Dish Network box, the other is for my DVD player, and they're both in use). It will only pick up the optical if that's actively putting out source, and the coaxial is secondary. So, it CAN be done...But, like some of the previous posts, I do NOT recommend having both DVD players on at the same time!!!

But, just so you know, what you're asking about, it CAN be done...As to whether it will work with your specific equipment, that I'm not sure...Check your receiver to see if it will auto detect which source the audio is coming in on. Otherwise, the only other thing I can recommend would be something like a selector box that you may see for game systems, where you can select the different sources. Prime example, and something that might fit your needs quite well: The Pelican PL-957 Pro System Selector.

[Link: pelicanperformance.com]

This thing's got 3 optical inputs, 3 component inputs, 3 Ethernet inputs, 8 RCA/S-Video inputs...The only downside I've seen with it is that it doesn't have IR control to select between the different devices. BUT, it's a way to help expand if your receiver only has 1 or two inputs of what you need. And, the price tag on it's a LITTLE pricey...bestbuy.com has it, and it runs about $100. BUT, if you want multiple components and your receiver's a little shy of meeting that, this might be your solution. (it's also perfect for those people still in the Dark Ages who only have RF connections on the back of their TV; the PL-957 also acts as an RF switch)

I still say no... If I lived alone and noone ever had to turn on my system but me. Than maybe.. but even then I would not want to go through all that to set up my TV. Just us a Real Reciever with more than two Digital inputs. Even a cheap reciever can have more that two input. Sony makes a reciever for a little more than $200.00 with Assignable Inputs. So don't try to do youself a favor using super cheap equipment and some weired setup. Plus the audio setup sucks in Cheap recievers.