[Gvt1911]

Just got a Panasonic plasma TV and found that I only have a fiber optic audio output on the back...Plenlty of RCA in's, but no RCA's out's for audio...I wish to connect audio output to a volume controlled amp so I can get a louder volume watching movies...
My question is: Is there a converter box to go from fiber optic audio out to regular 2 channel RCA's ? Or ,will I have to go thru my old Sony VCR or Oppo DVD player?
Thanks in advance!
PS: My only source going to the TV will be the VCR or DVD player...No cable or Dish box for now...

[sharpsuxx]

Yes, it is called a DAC.  Digital to Analog converter, it will decode the PCM signal out of the optical output and decode it to 2 channel stereo.  Or a receiver, that will have optical input would have a DAC in it as well to decode PCM and surround sound signals such as Dolby and DTS.

[mcgsxr]

When I got my first Panny Plasma, I faced a similar issue.  I ended up buying an Hdmi friendly reciever.

You migh check this out, it might work.

http://www.amazon.com/CE-Compass-Digital-Coaxial-Headphone/dp/B008U23F3E/ref=cm_cr_dp_asin_lnk

[srb]

One of the problems that is often faced with your scenario is that the TV may or may not have the ability to set the optical input to mix down Dolby or DTS 5-channel audio to L/R 2-channel stereo.  I have a Panasonic plasma, and that is the case with my particular model (TH-50PZ85U).
 
If you don't connect the optical output to an AV receiver or pre-processor that has DACs that can decode multi-channel sound, then you will need a separate DAC that can, if you intend to hook it up to an analog stereo amplifier.  Almost all of the separate DACs that are talked about on this site are 2-channel stereo DACs that cannot process a multi-channel digital signal.
 
There are a few < $100 units that can, but they are far and few between.  One of them is the Gefen GTV-DD-2-AA Dolby Digital Audio Decoder that can accept a Dolby 5.1 optical or coaxial signal and mix it down to a pair of L/R analog stereo RCA outputs.
 
Check your TV manual or setup menu.  If you find that you can set your particular model for a 2-channel stereo audio output, then any number of regular 2-channel stereo DACs will work for you, some as low as ~ $30.
 
Steve

[greatwl]

I have the same problem to get sound from TV's optical output through my Emotiva XDA-1 DAC.  Is there a more decent sound DAC other than Gefen GTV-DD-2-AA?

[srb]

As I replied in the topic you started, LG HDTV digital optical output, your LG TV appears to have the ability to set the optical audio output to 2 channel PCM.  Have you checked/tried the setting?

Steve