I finally opened my wallet to get AC3 decoded via the optic output on my CS5000.
I ordered it (CyberHome CH-SRD 600H System) from "Wierdstuff® WAREHOUSE" for $14.95. It came double boxed ready to survive a nuclear explosion with lots of foam peanut stuffings. Very well packed.
First impression was, "this is a lot of cool stuff". I plugged it all in without cracking the instruction manual, of course.
I turned it on...nothing. Played with all the buttons, switches, still nothing.
Then, I recalled that the CS5000 has A/V setups. So I quickly thumbed my way into the setup menu, and sure enough, the optical S/PDIF port was OFF.
Turned it ON and tried again. IT WORKS!
Cool beans. Now, I can hear what I was missing with no less than six speakers through the worst headphones I have ever wrapped around my head. No bass to speak of. Yea, they work, but I won't be using them.
The decoder works fine and for $14.95, I can't complain. I may order another decoder for the second CS5000 I recently snared from eBay for the bedroom.
This will hold me over till I decide which new HD receiver I will order in the future.
Six speakers for only two ears. I wonder who thought of that?
Reminds me of the days folks were handing over big bucks for QUAD headphones, which never sounded better than two speakers in the first place.
Yes, it really works. I recommend it for those systems without AC3 decoding.

I ordered it (CyberHome CH-SRD 600H System) from "Wierdstuff® WAREHOUSE" for $14.95. It came double boxed ready to survive a nuclear explosion with lots of foam peanut stuffings. Very well packed.
First impression was, "this is a lot of cool stuff". I plugged it all in without cracking the instruction manual, of course.
I turned it on...nothing. Played with all the buttons, switches, still nothing.
Then, I recalled that the CS5000 has A/V setups. So I quickly thumbed my way into the setup menu, and sure enough, the optical S/PDIF port was OFF.
Turned it ON and tried again. IT WORKS!
Cool beans. Now, I can hear what I was missing with no less than six speakers through the worst headphones I have ever wrapped around my head. No bass to speak of. Yea, they work, but I won't be using them.
The decoder works fine and for $14.95, I can't complain. I may order another decoder for the second CS5000 I recently snared from eBay for the bedroom.
This will hold me over till I decide which new HD receiver I will order in the future.
Six speakers for only two ears. I wonder who thought of that?

Yes, it really works. I recommend it for those systems without AC3 decoding.
