What equipment do I need to receive satellite broadcasts with 5.1-channel Dolby Digital sound?

To receive the 5.1-channel soundtrack on programs such as the Dolby Digital-encoded theatrical films broadcast by DIRECTV on its pay-per-view channels, you need a new satellite receiver that provides a Dolby Digital output (the "Digital" output on conventional satellite receivers does not handle Dolby Digital signals). As with other Dolby Digital components, you connect the Dolby Digital coaxial or optical output to a digital input on your Dolby Digital decoder unit. Standard stereo audio, usually Dolby Surround-encoded, is broadcast simultaneously, so you need a new satellite receiver only if you wish to receive the Dolby Digital soundtrack.  more

You need a new satellite receiver that provides a Dolby Digital output (the "digital" output on conventional satellite receivers does not pass Dolby Digital signals). As with other Dolby Digital components, you connect the Dolby Digital coaxial or optical output to a digital input on your Dolby Digital decoder unit. Standard stereo audio, usually encoded in Dolby Surround, is broadcast simultaneously, so you need a new satellite receiver only if you wish to receive the Dolby Digital soundtrack.