5.1 sound and the XBOX
 

Is the XBOX dolby digital ready or does it have a dolby digital decoder built in to it.I have a dolby digital ready reciever that has the RCA jacks for 5.1 but no optical Input. and from what I understand in order to get 5.1 sound I need to use an an optical cable.Do I need another reciever or what?

Your receiver needs to have a Dolby Digital decoder built in. The Xbox does not decode it.

Want to buy my Receiver? It's a Sony STR DE835. It has DTS and Optical and Coax ins. :) It works great with an Xbox - It's not very old, but I'm upgrading.

Well, you could buy an external DD decoder if you can still find one of those, but you would be better off buying a new receiver.

I'll second that. My DE835 has given me many months of enjoyment. It's a great receiver.

Many places sell a Digital Optical to Digital Coax converter.

It might be referred to as a TOSLINK to Coaxial adapter.

Probably run $30 to $50.

It's an option and significantly cheaper than a new receiver.

-Naan

Slight Hijack: Long time no see Naan. :)

Oh back on topic: you can get a new DTS/DD5.1 receiver for $200 or less nowadays. Something to keep in mind.

Really? I figured there had to be something that did this, but I haven't seen it anywhere. Since I only have 1 optical in on my receiver and 2 coax, I guess the Xbox and the PS2 can have digital sound. If Sony releases the progressive scan drivers, I want to have DD 5.1 coming out of the PS2 too.

Thanks!

The TOSlink to coaxial adapter will not work for blaineo because his receiver does not have DD decoding. It's not a problem of not having the right kind of digital audio connection.

I was in the same boat as blaineo: I had a Dolby Digital-ready receiver and a DVD player with a DD decoder built in. I wanted to play XBox in 5.1 and enjoy DTS DVDs, so I bought a Pioneer VSX-D411 receiver from Best Buy. It's not the greatest receiver in the world, but it's worked more than fine for me so far.

It looks like I misread the oriiginal post.

My mistake.

The info is probably useful for someone, but probably not in this case.

Gallant: I've been around. Mostly lurking. I pop up from time to time.

-Naan

Well I dont think there is any other solution but to buy another receiver.Damn!! I really love my Yamaha RX-V20290 I paid alot of money for it a while ago.it works out great because my DVD player has a dolby digital and DTS decoder built into it.Damn!!or I can go without the XBOX 5.1 sound DAMN!!DAMN!!DAMN!!

That's how they get ya.
:D

DD 5.1 is one of the more impressive features of the Xbox, IMO. Do whatever it takes, but you MUST have DD 5.1 for Halo. :)

Anyway - my Sony has DD5.1 decoding built in as well as built in DTS decoding. It's got a few optical inputs and coax inputs. It's also got plenty of power. I'll sell it to ya if you want it.

No Thanks I'll probable get another Yamaha reciever.Great Stuff