# DVD to Receiver Connection for Dolby 5.1 **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 18, 2003, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-receiver-connection-for-dolby-5-1/155883 "2003-02-18T14:30:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-receiver-connection-for-dolby-5-1/155883/1 "2003-02-18T14:30:02Z")
So, I’ve got an Aiwa receiver, “Dolby Digital Ready,” with RCA jacks in the rear for input from a source of 5.1 sound (Front x2, Rear x2, Center & subwoofer), as well as 2 Video settings, each with the customary 3 RCA plug ins and outs. I also have a DD DVD player with Optical, Coaxial, and L/R RCA outs. I already have the S-Video going straight to the screen. My question: what sort of doohicky do I need to take the DD Optical from the DVD player, and get it to the 5.1 jacks on my receiver, that I might enjoy the surround-sound experience? Or have I got myself some incompatible hardware? ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-receiver-connection-for-dolby-5-1/155883/2 "2003-02-18T14:33:36Z")
If your reciever is DD 5.1 ready then you must have either an optical port or a orange RCA digital plug in the back. You SHOULD have an optical. If this is the case you can buy a 3 or 4 foot fibre cable with sqaure ends and plug from one to the other. You probably don’t have the RCA style dig hooku pso I wouldnt worry about it. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-receiver-connection-for-dolby-5-1/155883/3 "2003-02-18T14:44:29Z")
I believe “Dolby Digital **Ready** ” means it can accept analog signals from an external Dolby Digital decoder. Dolby Digital is transmitted with either an optical cable or a single digital RCA cable. The output of a decoder is 6 channels of analog signals, typically through 6 RCA plugs. Your receiver may also have a built-in decoder, in which case you need to connect it to the DVD player with an optical or RCA digital cable, as **Stinkpalm** said. If it’s only “Dolby Digital Ready” and does not contain a decoder, you’ll have to find an external decoder. I’m not even sure what those look like - I think they’re rather expensive. Let’s hope you already have a built-in decoder. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-receiver-connection-for-dolby-5-1/155883/4 "2003-02-18T15:54:44Z")
I believe you’re up Shoal Creek without a paddle. You’'l have to shell out for a new amp. They aren’t that expensive these days. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvd-to-receiver-connection-for-dolby-5-1/155883/5 "2003-02-18T16:29:16Z")
Yep…looks like **scr4** got it…no “optical in” on this receiver. Time to price modern receivers…