Answer: On the Audio/Video Receivers like 310-5005, you have three different types of connection options: Analog, Digital and 5.1. Analog connections are used with the A/V inputs from an Audio/Video device (for example, DVD, CD, SAT, or VCR). Digital connections use the digital connection inputs (for example, Digital Coax or Opt. 1 & 2). The 5.1 connections have six 5.1 Audio inputs: Surround (Rear) Left, Surround (Rear) Right, Subwoofer, Center, DVD 5.1 CH Front Right, and DVD 5.1 CH Front Left.
For true 5.1 sound, you must have a source providing Dolby® Digital 5.1, a player that has the six 5.1 outputs, and a receiver with the six 5.1 inputs.
At this time, we do not sell a DVD or other unit that has 5.1 outputs; our video components have only digital and analog connections. The only way to get 5.1 sound out of these video devices is to use a 5.1 decoder. Without a decoder, standard video devices do not have necessary outputs to communicate the 5.1 data to the receiver.
On our receivers, the button on the front of the receiver or the 5.1 button on the remote is for selecting the six 5.1 inputs (as opposed to the digital or analog inputs). When you connect your video device (DVD or Satellite Receiver) to the digital and /or analog inputs, you can use the SIGNAL SELECT function on the remote to switch between those inputs.
DIGITAL selects the digital inputs, and ANALOG selects the A/V inputs. If you do not connect a video device to the analog inputs (A/V) but you do connect to the DIGITAL (OPT.1) and then use the SIGNAL SELECT button to select ANALOG SIGNAL, there is nothing there as you have are not using the A/V inputs. It is recommended that you connect both digital and analog if you have the outputs available.
Not all programs are broadcast in digital (some analog signals are broadcast in Dolby® Surround Sound); however, if the signal is digital, then the DIGITAL light will come on. Please be aware, the DIGITAL light only indicates that the receiver is receiving a digital signal; it does not necessarily indicate a Dolby® Digital 5.1 signal.
To test you system, we recommend that you use the test tone feature on your receiver. If the sound comes through all of the speakers, then the receiver is hooked up correctly; you can then adjust the speaker volumes individually. If the DIGITAL light comes on, then the receiver is using the DIGITAL inputs.
Please be aware that there are different Dolby® sound systems, so you must know what type of sound encoding you are listening to -- Dolby® Pro Logic®, Dolby® Surround Sound, or Dolby® Digital. Often, this information will be on the packaging or channel guide for what you are playing or watching (CD, Video, DVD or program listing).
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