Can I get 5.1 surround sound from a RCA?

Question

On my TV I have a pair of red and white audio out.

I understand that you can get stereo from this but I was wondering if you can get full 5.1 surround sound from this?

Answer 1

No. Basically the only thing RCA carries is the Left audio channel and the right audio channel. If you want 5.1 surround or above you need to get some sort of digital audio connection and verify that the source produced 5.1 surround. You need to get either a coaxial cable or optical cable and connect that cable from your source to your a/v reciever.

Answer 2

To add to the prior posts, if you run red/white analog out from your tv to your 5.1 receiver, you have to change your DSP mode on the receiver to Pro Logic or Pro Logic II to simulate 5.1 listening.  This is not going to sound the way the DVD movie or your HD programming was meant to be heard however and yes there is a difference sonically.

If you choose to run either digital coax or optical audio from your DVD player or your HD Box, you must enable Bitstream for both Dolby Digital and DTS audio modes in either your DVD players setup menu or your HD Box's setup menu.

Answer 3

With a 5.1 receiver, you can use RCA and it will convert to 5.1 surround sound.  Coaxial and optical are for digital surround sound.  The difference, sonically, is usually minimal.