Not getting digital sound from HDTV cable

[newbee]

I have a HDTV cable/converter and SONY 6.1 surround reciever. The audio portion of reciver is connected to HDTV converter through optical cable . The problem is that for digital programs in 5.1 dolby sound, the receiver is not recieving them in the dolby 5.1 format. Instead it is recieving them as PCM format. The problem is only with Cable transmission, DVD sound is working fine with reciever. Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Votrax]

That's because the program was recorded in stereo so it's sent PCM. Just because it's HDTV doesn't mean it will have 5.1 sound. Most of the prime time networks are only stereo though I've received one program in 5.1 one time. You'll most likely only get the dolby digital format from HBO, Cinemax, etc.

 

[newbee]

Even for the programs that are shown as Dolby 5.1 in the cable TV guide, I recieve PCM/46MHZ signal.

 

[Votrax]

You may want to verify with your cable company that they are in fact sending it out in dolby digital.

 

[rgriffin25]

Have you configured your cable box? With my HD box I had to manually set the digital audio output from PCM to Dolby Digital. On your next post let us know what brand the HD box is. Someone may be able to help you adjust this setting if you have not already done so.