Digital cable query

[dave2010]

To be pendantic digital interconnects carry analogue representations of digital data.

Maybe. I'm swinging gently :-)

We could go down to atomic or quantum level if you prefer, but it's probably easier to stick with the notion that the data is digital. Actually I don't know what modulation method is used on the coax cable, but I assume that on the optical cable it's effectively optical ASK.

[Themis]

The optical transmitter takes the coax (electrical) signal, transforms it into optical, then sends it, then, upon reception the optical receiver transforms the optical signal into an electrical one (like the one received by the coax receiver).
So, you have two additional transformations. But today's emitters/receivers are rather good.

[serendipitydawg]

Are short (less than 12") TOSLINK cables available anywhere?