Can I convert SPDIF (optical) to RCA (analog)?

Question

I was setting up all of my new electronics when I realized that my TV (Sceptre X46BV) has one audio output, and it is optical SPDIF (digital). This poses a problem because my new Phillips HTS (HTS3555) only has RCA inputs (analog). Is there a cheap cable or converter I can use to link up the SPDIF output to the RCA input? If this can't be done, I was thinking of using the RCA output from my Direct TV box to the RCA inputs on the HTS receiver. The problem with this is that the Direct TV to TV connection is through HDMI. Is there a way configure the systems to use HDMI for video only, allowing me to go RCA to RCA from the Direct TV box to the HTS receiver? If I hooked up the RCA to RCA, would it send audio through both HDMI and RCA? I can't really take the TV or HTS back to the store at this point, so I'm hoping there is SOMETHING I can do to get 5.1 when I'm watching TV.

thanks

Bill

Answer 1

Most devices output BOTH analog audio (via RCA) and digital audio via s/pdif. So connecting analog audio from your Direct TV box should not be an issue.

Most TVs that have s/pdif out have also analog audio out.

Answer 2

you need a optical/spdif to coaxial converter not rca because rca its analog you have a coaxial digital input in the philips you can buy the converter something like this:

http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.a...

http://www.thelans.com/partdetail.asp?ca...

or you can connect the digital ouput form the Directv box to the philips directly, since not all channels have 5.1 surround sound only some movies in the premium channels.

you can also try to connect both the digital output to the philips and the rca red/white to the tv if it work you can watch tv without turn on the philips and if theres a movie in 5.1 you can turn on the philips.