What is needed to get Dolby Digital?

[ctm]

I have an old sony SAT A2 and a round dish. The receiver has an optical output. Can I get DD out of this receiver If I hook up an optical cable or do I need a new system?

Will I need to buy a new receiver and new dish or just upgrade the receiver?

Thanks :)

[Doug E]

Since your Sony receiver has an optical output, then it is DD capable. You must connect the optical cable to the optical input of your A/V receiver. If it does not have an optical input, then the
A/V receiver most likely does not have a DD decoder. In this case, you must upgrade your A/V receiver.

[Steve Mehs]

Hi Ctm, and welcome to the board :hi:

If you dont see a optical input but do see a black or orange colored rca type input on the back of your AV reciever, labeled 'coax' then it can process DD via coax cable. You will need an optical ->coax converter though, which you can find at partsexpress.com, or most other online electronic stores, except RadioShack.

[ctm]

Ok, thanks for the info. I purchased a optical cable and hooked it up to my sony dtv receiver and the ac-3 dd home theater receiver. I do get a digital signal but it seems to be only 2 channel stereo. I was hoping to get 5.1.

I'm going to buy a new sony or hughes sat receiver as that appears to be what I need to get 5.1 DD sound.

[sapnishannouncetable]

Most channels on Directv don't have DD5.1. The DD audio carries the 2.0 sound just fine though.

There are some PPV movies in DD5.1, plus Showtime, Starz and HBO have some DD 5.1 content.

[PeterB]

Actually the original Sony IRDs had a digital output, but WILL NOT pass dolby digital. PCM only. Additional circuity is required to get a DD output.

Im not up on my sony model numbers but I belive the A2 was a 1st gen model, built even before DD existed.

[Steve Mehs]

When it comes to DD, DirecTV/Dish/Cable don't conrol if its 5.1 or 2.0, the programming provider does. The majority or conent is in 2.0, when movies are in 5.1 you'll get 5.1