Can RCA cables produce 5.1 surround sound? (1 Viewer)

[Beachguy]

Just wondering if regular RCA cables (red and white) coming out of my digital cable converter box and going into my Sony 5.1 amp will produce true 5.1 surround (assuming of course the TV show is broadcast in 5.1).

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I asked two different sales guys (one at Best Buy and one at Circuit City) and got two different answers. I figured the people on this forum would know the real answer.

If RCA cables won't do the job, is HDMI or digital optical audio the only way to go?

 

[R/T Rick]

RCA can only do 5.1 when you have analog multi channel input. Two jacks for the front, two for the back/surround, one for the sub, and one for the center; inputs on your reciever and outputs on your respective devices. Otherwise, you'll have to go with a digital input.

 

[Ed Moxley]

No, the red & white RCA stereo cables won't give you true 5.1 surround. You can get Dolby Pro Logic simulated surround, from them though. The only way to get true Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1/6.1 surround is with HDMI, Optical, or digital coax through digital connections. With an analog connection, you can get it through 5.1 analog "Multi-Channel" connections, if the dvd player decodes them internally.