Digital audio out to RCA?

[micrometers]

Plasma television has a digital audio out port.

Have an old amplifier, RCA ports and all, no digital audio port.

Can you recommend a good cheap digital audio out to RCA converter?

Or is it better to just buy a new amplifier/receiver?

 

[queequeg99]

I believe you need something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-A...ref=pd_sim_e_8

 

[micrometers]

I believe you need something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-A...ref=pd_sim_e_8

what I don't understand though is that it is stereo out. The old analog setup is dolby like 5.1 or something.

 

[queequeg99]

what I don't understand though is that it is stereo out. The old analog setup is dolby like 5.1 or something.

That changes things considerably. There are products like this:

http://www.ambery.com/2hddodtsdihd.html

Of course, this things wants an HDMI input rather than digitial coax or toslink. But I suspect there are devices out there that will do what you want. However, if you want to connect a digital output like digital coax or toslink to an analog stereo and enjoy 5.1 surround, I think you'll be much better off looking for a new receiver given the price an appropriate converter box will likely command. If price is an issue, I would check out Craigslist. If you have no need to the latest technology (e.g. tons of HDMI inputs, room corrections, etc.), you should be able to find something to meet your needs for a good price.

 

[jhansman]

Don't mean to thread hijack, I have a similar problem with an LCD TV that has digital audio out that I'd like to send to a pair of small satellite speakers I am using in place of the crappy built-ins in the TV. I currently have them hooked up to the headphone jack, but cannot mute them, as that function only works with the built-in speakers. The manuf. says that if I can take advantage of the digital audio out, the mute should work. Looks like the FiiO device might just do the trick. Thanks.

 

[kornphlake]

what I don't understand though is that it is stereo out. The old analog setup is dolby like 5.1 or something.

If you're source is anything other than the integrated tuner all you're going to get is 2 channel stereo anyway, there's some kind of copy protection that prevents the television from passing on the full 5.1ch sound through the optical out. Sucks but it's what you get, as mentioned a new receiver is probably cheaper than the equipment needed to make it work with an old receiver.

 

[jhansman]

there's some kind of copy protection that prevents the television from passing on the full 5.1ch sound through the optical out.

So, wait, you feed 5.1 from the source (DVD, cable, whatever) to the TV via HDMI, but it can only output stereo? Why provide an optical port on the TV then? My gear is all pre-HDMI, so I'm learning as I go.

 

[queequeg99]

So, wait, you feed 5.1 from the source (DVD, cable, whatever) to the TV via HDMI, but it can only output stereo? Why provide an optical port on the TV then? My gear is all pre-HDMI, so I'm learning as I go.

I believe that is the case (after reading Kornplake's post and googling a bit). It seems that regardless of the reason (copyright, engineering, what have you), TV optical outs invariably are limited to 2 channels. Of course, as soon as I say this someone will chime in with an exception. So you better confirm for certain what your specific set will send out.

 

[Soundmanred]

It is true that most TVs will not passthrough a greater than stereo signal, but if you're watching a broadcast TV program that has greater than 2 channels, it will pass that through the digital outs. I learned that the hard way after hours of frustration a few years ago. 🙂

 

[Patranus]

Save the headache and just buy a receiver with HDMI. You can get a cheapo one for about a hundo.

 

[Sephire]

Plasma television has a digital audio out port.

Have an old amplifier, RCA ports and all, no digital audio port.

Can you recommend a good cheap digital audio out to RCA converter?

Or is it better to just buy a new amplifier/receiver?

Buy. Ebay has plenty of cheap coaxial digital input capable receivers.