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Digital to Analog Converter ?

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Triode_Kingdom

I bought a Panasonic plasma TV about a year ago. After hooking it up, I discovered that the Audio Out RCA jacks are inoperative when I'm inputting from an external source like a VCR or DVD player. The manual says it's supposed to do this (IOW, it's not broken), and that audio must be obtained from the Digital Audio Out terminal when using those sources.

My question is - and I apologize for this being so elementary - what do I need to connect the rectangular digital audio out jack at the rear of the TV to my two channel audio system? My system is entirely analog, vacuum tubes in fact, so there's no digital interfacing of any type anywhere.

I'll just add two things; first, I'm not too concerned about audio quality. If it does 20-15kHz and puts 1/2 Vrms or so of stereo audio into my system, that's all I need. Second, I'm a cheapskate. For $50-75, I can build an active audio splitter box that will drive both the TV and my audio system directly from these external devices. It's a hassle to do that though, and I have several other projects in the works.

It would be a big help if someone could advise me on the best way to get this done using off the shelf solutions. Many thanks for any advice!

--------------------------
Buy Chinese. Bury freedom.

Follow Ups:

Thanks, here's what happened... - Me_again 06:10:17 07/29/10 (2)
Just to reiterate, the two analog (RCA) Audio Out jacks on the rear panel of this TV are only active for off-air programs. Audio from external sources such as a DVD or VCR is not transferred to those connectors (they go dead).

Yesterday I picked up a Kramer 6410N converter at a good price from a local seller. Using the TV's optical port, external sources sound terrific through the Kramer. There's another problem though - the TV's optical port only works for those sources. It goes dead when the TV is switched to off-air programming.

This means there is no single audio output at the TV that will transfer TV audio from both off-air channels and external sources to my stereo. Of course, there was no way to know the TV would behave this way until I tried it with the Kramer. It is now apparent to me that there is no way to transfer all the audio from the TV (off-air plus external sources) to my stereo system without an external switchbox. So, in retrospect, I should have spent the funds on a DIY switcher/preamp/gain controller instead. Sigh... Anyway, thanks for everyone's help and advice!
- switcher - Joe Murphy Jr 12:35:10 07/29/10 (0)
  Just get a switcher and run the L+R audio from the TV to one input and the L+R audio from the DAC to another input. These require manual selection, but you can take your pick for under $7:
  
  http://www.meritline.com/av-rca-switcher-260---p-28325.aspx
  
  http://www.meritline.com/av-switch-black-735---p-33939.aspx
  
  http://www.meritline.com/4-way-s-video-audio-video-av-rca-switch-switcher-splitter-av-cable---p-34928.aspx
  
  If you want to go the Technics SH-AC500D route instead, I know where you can get one for $50 + shipping.
  :-)
- bassbinotoko was right. - Kal Rubinson 11:49:53 07/29/10 (0)
  You should get the SH-AC500D and run all the audio through it, unless you want to modernize the rest of your system.
  Kal
  
  Edits: 07/29/10
here's one - Joe Murphy Jr 22:03:59 07/27/10 (6)
Just go to ebay.com and select "electronics" for the category, type in "DAC" for the search and "ending soonest" for the preference. The link below is for a $36 DAC (ends in about 2 hours from my post time). There are plenty like this one on ebay.

Or, how about this little piece of crap that will do what you want from Meritline for $15 shipped (you just need a 1/8" / 3.5mm to 2 RCA plugs adapter that Meritline probably sells for $3 or so):
http://www.meritline.com/usb-sound-adapter-789---p-35243.aspx
- DAC (Open in New Window)
- Consider a digital surround processor like the SH-AC500D - bassbinotoko 16:54:17 07/28/10 (5)
  I suspect the Meritline is just a USB sound device. It's slightly possible that it could work standalone (as an ADC or DAC), but I wouldn't bet on it.
  
  You might find an actual Dolby Digital surround receiver for cheaper than a DAC. I've seen one for under $40 at a pawn shop. Some Pioneer receivers had preamp outputs.
  
  Another option is a digital surround processor... in the early days of Dolby Digital and DTS, many receivers were sold as "digital ready" with 5.1 analog inputs, and outboard processors were sold separately or bundled. These were comparative bargains compared to the high-end separate processors. Most only supported Dolby Digital, and the only budget model with both DD and DTS that I know of was the Technics SH-AC500D. SGHT rated it and the matching receiver "Class B" at the time, which was uncommonly high praise considering most things they review have an extra zero in the price. It's conceivable you might find one of those boxes for sale used; the Technics makes a fine standalone processor, since it has remote volume and source selection, and several optical and RCA inputs. Analog in is just pass-through, no volume control. Add 4 or 5 channels of tube ampage and there you go. 5.1 is best, since the 500D doesn't do "bass management" or phantom center for DTS. With PCM (stereo) sources, it can apply Dolby Prologic surround decoding or just do stereo out like a regular DAC. If DTS isn't a priority, start with 4.0 and add subwoofers and center as available. If you want one now, eBay regularly has them and they sell for under $100.
  - beware of digital surround processors that aren't - bassbinotoko 22:49:10 07/28/10 (0)
    Another thing to watch for, particularly if buying online. There were analog surround processors which decoded Dolby Surround or Pro Logic from 2 channel analog inputs. Some of these, confusingly, are prominently labeled as "Digital" because they use a digital delay line for the rear channel rather than the venerable analog bucket brigade delay. They aren't remotely worth what people on eBay are asking. I suspect they're trolling for suckers who mistake them for a Dolby Digital processor or don't know any better.
  - RE: Consider a digital surround processor like the SH-AC500D - bassbinotoko 17:00:58 07/28/10 (3)
    One thing to watch for, though: on my SH-AC500D, the DTS portion died after 6 years or so. This didn't affect any other functions, so it is possible that a seller might not be aware of this fault, or would fail to disclose it.
    - How did that manifest itself? - Kal Rubinson 18:40:48 07/28/10 (2)
      Last time I used my SH-AC500D, dts seemed OK but it is hard to remember. So, if I haul it out to sell it, what is a quick test of that?
      - RE: How did that manifest itself? - bassbinotoko 22:38:15 07/28/10 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: How did that manifest itself? posted by Kal Rubinson on July 28, 2010 at 18:40:48
        
        I just hooked up the SH-AC500D to test what happens. And, now it works on both DD and DTS again (tried the DTS tracks on Beastmaster and Planet Of the Apes (remake)). So, I can't confirm the symptoms. I ~think~ the amber DTS indicator did not illuminate, but I can't be sure.
        
        Thanks. - Kal Rubinson 05:18:59 07/29/10 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: How did that manifest itself? posted by bassbinotoko on July 28, 2010 at 22:38:15
        
        I did not have that problem. I hope I do not when/if I pull it out of the closet to sell. ;-)
        Kal
        
        Edits: 07/29/10

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