Can you achieve REAL 5.1 surround sound using RCA inputs (the red and white cables)?

Question

Or is Optic cable or 6 channel direct the only way to achieve true 5.1?
i know some speakers can upscale stereo to 5.1, this is NOT what i want.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

No. Your process can simulate surround from a stereo signal, but it is not the "real" surround signal. To get this you need to use digital out (either optical or coax) or to use the 6-channel outputs.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Perfect, just the straight forward, definitive answer i was looking for.
Enjoy your 10 points

Answer 2

Yes, the best way to get true surround is to use a digital or optic audio cable. RCA cables only simulate surround. Of course the DVD must be 5.1 as well.

Answer 3

Nothing can "upscale" stereo to dolby digital 5.1. The old pro-logic receiver made a feeble attempt at that, but they did not last all that long because it really did not work (I had one).

Answer 4

Many sound tracks are actually 2 channels but the dolby or neo processor divides the sound track successfully into the 5.1 channels of audio quite well. So on some track you can achieve surround sound, but it is best to use an optical cable. Then on tracks mixed in either format you will always get surround sound.

Answer 5

For true discrete surround sound (No bleed over from adjacent channels) you need to be able to access the Dolby Digital or dts track(of HD versions) with no down-mixing. That means either digital connection (optical or coax, or HDMI for the HD audio) or a DVD player that decodes the the soundtrack internally and send out over the 5.1 analog outputs. Dolby ProLogic II does a good job of decoding the down-mixed stereo feed but is really intended for movies and shows that were never released in Dolby Digital. Dolby Digital is the standard audio format of HDTV but not all programming will be 5.1 encoded. It may be just Dolby Digital 2.0 and you will see Dolby ProLogic II still being used for legacy equipment people still have in their home.