TV to speakers without optical connector

[bradmoss]

Hello, I have an old TV and is time to buy a new one. Currently I have an also old speaker system and I have connected outlets from the TV marked as Audio Out (Left and right) to the corresponding inlets at the audio system.

Now in my search for the new TV I see some have no audio outlets at all and some have just a "new" kind of connector labeled "optical Audio out".

My question is if it is possible/easy/reasonable to try and connect the one Optical audio out to inlets for each speaker at the audio system.

 

[kanewolf]

You can get an inexpensive adapter like this -- http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6884 which will convert the digital (optical or coax) to analog for your old red/white RCA speakers.

 

[bradmoss]

the RCA is an old standard? The TVs come all without RCA audio outlets now?

 

[kanewolf]

the RCA is an old standard? The TVs come all without RCA audio outlets now?

It depends. Most have some other output because RCA jacks are not surround sound. They are just left/right usually. Optical and HDMI can carry multi-channel audio. I just realized that is a limitation of the first link I provided. Most TVs will output multi-channel audio and you need this to support the multi-channel optical output -- http://www.amazon.com/Panlong-Optical-Toslink-Coaxial-Converter/dp/B00ANIIY9I

 

[bradmoss]

Thank you, and how is the optical cable needed?
Also, the device you linked seems to need an additional 5V input PS in order to work?

 

[kanewolf]

They both should require some power supply. Digital to analog conversion is an active (requires power) transformation. None of the other inputs can supply power. You can get any toslink cable. It doesn't have to be expensive.

 

[bradmoss]

thank you again