Well, It depends on what your source is. Do you have cable and if so is it digital cable or just right out of the wall. Im pretty sure any new tv has the digital tuner so with basic cable after running a channel scan you will find :in most markets" channels with dashes like 8-1 which is digital. Now all you would have to do it connect the optical out to the reciever. At least in my area this works. I had basic cable for years and got DD from the digital channels. I now work for Comcast Cable and see hundreds of people do this without having a dig box.