Received this item as satisfactorily as possible, and promptly, but before installing it (for a neighbor’s high def TV), I called the techs at Gefen to be certain it would operate properly for this application. Answer (from Gefen): no. No because high def channels broadcast audio in 5.1, which this converter is incapable of processing. In other words, it will work with a digital non-high def signal, but not with a channel broadcasting high def with 5.1 surround sound. The solution: Gefen model GTV-DD-2-AA, slightly more expensive, which processes any/all digital audio signals. Not having verified the accuracy of what the Gefen tech told me, at least I want to give buyers a “heads-up” about the product.
Rating: 4 / 5

So the reason why I bought this product was because my TV only has one audio out connection, an optical digital audio out. I have a 2.1 Shelf stereo system that I mistakingly thought I could connect via RCA to my TV, and to my surprise I saw that there was no RCA or headphone jack, just an optical digital audio out.

We have an xbox 360, ps3, and wii hooked up to our TV, and all work with this product. An optical audio cable goes from the TV to the product, the switch needs to be on ‘optical’ and then I have an RCA cable connected from my stereo system to the converter.

*BEFORE YOU BUY*

You must make sure that your TV is not broadcasting in anything but STEREO (2 channel) audio. If you have digital cable, it is likely that some of your channels broadcast in surround sound, which this box DOES NOT SUPPORT. Gefen makes a more expensive model that does support surround sound, but this one does not. If any of your gaming systems are set to broadcast in surround sound, you need to change the options to make them broadcast in stereo only. I haven’t tried a movie yet, but it seems the default for both xbox 360 and ps3 games is stereo.

Another thing: I tried contacting Gefen product support to make sure that my setup would work with their product. They have operators that will give you the runaround. When their product support guys are busy, they tell you to call back in 15 minutes and when you call back, they tell you the same thing. Your best bet is to leave your number for them to call you back.

When I finally did get to talk to a tech support guy from Gefen, he really didn’t seem very helpful. He gave answers like ‘Yeah, that should work’ ‘probably’ and so on.. I even mentioned the more expensive model, asking if it was a better choice, and of course, he said it was. As it turns out, this model works perfectly for my setup and the guy wasn’t of much help at all.

My advise is: Do your research – contact your cable provider and ask if your tv channels broadcast in surround sound or not. – figure out if any of your component devices (xbox, ps3, etc..) only broadcast in surround sound.

As long as you know what you are buying, this is a great product, my only real gripe is the price.
Rating: 4 / 5

Got this, hooked it up and it would not work,frustrated i tried everything

until i figured out that i needed to change the digital output in the menu on

the tv and it works fine now. If you are having problems, try this to get it

to work.

(This may or maynot work on your tv depending on how its set up)

1.Turn on your tv and get to the menu

2.Find the sound settings and find the digital audio out and change it to PCM.

3.Now it should work (assuming you are able to do this on your tv)
Rating: 4 / 5

Unfortunately I found a review too late to save me from buying this device. It does not work with my HD Monitor/TV. I tried everything.

The other review started that “(this works) with a digital non-high def signal, but not with a channel broadcasting high def with 5.1 surround sound.

I live in Houston and all channels seem to be of that type. I looked at the description and there was no caution.

I looked elsewhere and that sell had it in big red letters.
Rating: 1 / 5

Very aggravating that the new flat screens aren’t showing up with a analog audio left/right connector…

So we had to order this device to solve the Digital audio out into the Analog audio in of our Bose system…

The device showed up on time and worked as advertised.

Cheers

Rating: 5 / 5