Question:

What are the limitations on selecting Dolby Digital as the SPDIF Output audio format on my TV?

Answer:

The SPDIF Output allows you to choose between PCM or Dolby Digital as the audio format for your TV's sound output. However, there are certain conditions when choosing Dolby Digital as the audio format:

Dolby Digital can only be selected when the TV is actively decoding the Dolby Digital signal.

There are two common scenarios when this occurs:

a) When watching an ATSC or QAM channel with a Dolby Digital track.

b) When using a streaming service (e.g., Amazon VOD, Vudu, Hulu, etc.) that offers a Dolby Digital track.

Due to the TV not decoding signals received through HDMI sources, the Dolby Digital option will not be available for selection when using HDMI sources.

Terms:

SPDIF Output - A feature that lets you pick the audio format for your TV's sound output. Options include PCM and Dolby Digital.

PCM - Pulse Code Modulation, a digital audio encoding technique.

Dolby Digital - A multi-channel audio compression technology developed by Dolby Laboratories.

ATSC - Advanced Television Systems Committee, a standard for digital television transmission.

QAM - Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, a type of digital radio modulation method.