Panlong Optical SPDIF Toslink/Coaxial Digital to Analog Audio Converter Decoder, Support 5.1 Dolby Digital, DTS, PCM with RCA L/R and 3.5mm Jack Outputs

I previously purchased and reviewed an exact decoder CE Compass Digital SPDIF / Coaxial to Analog L/R RCA Audio Decoder w/ 3.5mm Headphone Jack with the same results as this decoder which is a couple of dollars cheaper. I purchased this for a second Panasonic TV.I have a stereo system with only RCA (L/R) inputs and wanted to get better sound than the dismal speakers on the TV. So, I needed something to change/transfer the TV's audio to my RCA jacks. I originally tried the SANOXY® AGPtek Digital Optical Coax to Analog RCA Audio Converter Adapter which did not work...I only heard static.Anyway, the SANOXY digital converter (not decoder) may work fine for some but, for many TVs, etc., it may not work if your (source) device does not support PCM/LPCM output. i.e. if your device will only output in Dolby or other DTS formats, the SANOXY converter is incapable of "decoding" these signals, thus producing static or white noise. It does not state these limitations in the product description where I had to, literally, learn the hard way.After learning the differences in the newer audio formats, I found that I needed an audio decoder. FYI: There are better decoders for those wishing to actually convert Dolby/DTS signals to 5.1 surround sound. I'm just happy being able to use my stereo system with my new TV.The (decoded) sound quality is decent, especially when playing my (USB or SD Card) music files directly from the TV. There is also a headphone jack which plays without distortion although it is a "fixed" audio level output. This can be adjusted if using the headphone connector to an amplified stereo system.Overall, this appears and sounds the same as the CE Compass Digital SPDIF / Coaxial to Analog L/R RCA Audio Decoder w/ 3.5mm Headphone Jack....Lower Priced and Works Great! This decoder is working great for me.***IMPORTANT FYI: Make sure you set the SPDIF/Coax switch to the proper position depending on the source cable you are using.Happy Listening!

Moved last month and hooked up a new HDTV and got a new HDTV cable box and couldn't figure out why the rca jacks on the back of the tv weren't working. I have a 20 year old stereo and wanted to hook my tv to the stereo which only has rca inputs. I scoured the internet for weeks and came up with no answers. I stumbled on this little device (digital to analog audio converter) while looking at surround systems on Amazon. The reason my RCA jacks weren't working is because using an hdmi cable from the cable box to the tv the sound was digital and the tv doesn't convert the sound to analog.I was thrilled, I wanted it ASAP. Instead of waiting a few days for amazon to deliver I drove to Best Buy, Radio Shack and few other places looking for a similar converter. The customer service reps at all of the stores looked at me like I had 2 heads. Three workers at Best Buy said they never heard of such a device. And asked why I would want something like a digital to analog audio converter? I told them my stereo still sounds amazing and shakes the siding off the house. I don't want to pay a few hundred dollars for a new sound system. After a failed search, I came back home and ordered it. It arrived today and works like a charm. Sounds amazing. I have the Optical Audio Cable from the tv to the digital to analog audio converter and the RCA cable running to the stereo. If you have had this problem, here is the solution.

I needed this for a set of TV Ears on a Panasonic plasma optical output that automatically switched audio formats. Panasonic outputs PCM for HDMI inputs but switches to Dolby Digital for ATSC broadcasts (put simply, I could hear Directv but not my local ABC/NBC/CBS stations over the antenna). I had been using a cheap ($9) Portta PCM Toslink to RCA converter successfully but it never worked for OTA broadcasts. This Panlong device solved my problem. I can now switch between my HDMI and TV ATSC inputs and get 2-channel sound from everything. My TV model does not allow changing optical audio to only PCM like some newer models.The Panlong box changes from converting PCM to Dolby Digital and back seamlessly. Audio quality is fine for a set of TV Ears. Although it is incredibly light and made of plastic, it is put together well. A $40 device should feel slightly more substantial. It does the job though so I really can't complain. Plug it in, throw it behind the TV and enjoy your fixed Panasonic optical output.

Note that many similar products out there handle only PCM data streams - if your source is sending Dolby Digital (for example), you are out of luck. This product decodes all the major digital formats. The operation is "plug and play" - very straightforward. Just what I needed to get an analog audio feed from my TV that had only a digital audio output.

This DECODER is working so far. This is my third product attempt to get my LG LCD HD TV's sound to my analog stereo. Converters will only take a PCM signal and convert that, and not very well. Many HDTV's (like mine) do not have a PCM output option. This is taking my raw audio from the TV and delivering 2.1 stereo audio to my analog receiver. The last decoder would cut out randomly and frequently, but this one has been working great for hours at a time. Another fantastic feature of this device is the USB power port. I can plug it in to my TVs usb port and the unit will only power up when the TV is on, certain to extend its life dramatically. The sound quality is much better than the Orei DA34X delivered, with good stereo separation and decent low end for a nice full sound. The only reason i didn't give 5 stars is that i've only had it a few days, and if it doesn't break down in a short while, I'll come back and sing more praises!