Panlong 5.1 Audio Gear Digital Sound Decoder Converter - Optical SPDIF/ Coaxial Dolby AC3 DTS to 5.1CH Analog Audio

I purchased this item with some apprehension because I wasn't sure if this device was a solution to what I wanted to accomplish, to obtain better sound from my new Samsung Smart TV, but I did not want to spend a lot of money, at least not until I pay down my card for the cost of the television. Quality sound bars are expensive and another 5.1 system even more so. I had a Logitech surround sound PC 5.1 speaker system I owned for 10 years; originally a peripheral purchase for a gaming computer but it was put away in storage after that computer became obsolete. The speakers produce quality sound from a inexpensive Logitech PC system and I wondered if it could be possible to use it with the television. I did some research online and came across confusing information on Amazon reviews and some A/V forums about whether the optical output on HDTVs can provide a AC3 stream I decided to take a chance and ordered this 5.1 decoder.Once UPS delivered the package, I went about hooking it up to my TV using the included optical cable. This is what I discovered and I hope it may clear things up for others looking for a similar solution. After downloading a 5.1 mkv video test signal file and saving it on my PLEX server, I ran the test and I was able to get clear 5.1 separation on all channels using this decoder and the logitech x-530 speaker system. It seems the decoder will decode the Dolby Digital AC3 5.1 through broadcast television and streaming apps like Amazon Instant Video, NetFlix, Plex and Hulu Plus. It does not decode AC3 from a cable box through the HDMI cable. However, if your cable box has a digital out, this decoder has support for one additional optical out and one RCA optical out which I suppose you can route a second audio cable from the cable or DVD player to this decoder and get AC3 that way. This decoder allowed me to use the Logitech speakers and get good audio to enjoy House of Cards on Netflix.So in summary, doesn't work if your source is HDMI unless you use a separate audio source but works perfectly well with broadcast (antenna) television , streaming apps and video files accessed through the TVs DLNA menu to a network share. I added a photo of the logitech speakers connected to the decoder to help anyone wanting to know the proper order to hook up the 3.5mm phone jacks.UPDATE APRIL 6 2015--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I originally posted a photo with the colored phone jack connectors reversed and I justed noticed my error. I replace the old photo with two new photos that show the proper order. I apologize for my mistake....It should be Yellow/Cream, Green and then Black when the unit is upright.

I was about to pull the trigger on the Logitech Z906 speakers but they are still pricey. So I bought this device to work with a set of Logitech 5300 5.1 speakers that I have had since around 2006. Anyways I wanted the speakers to play through a TV, Xbox One, PS4, and my HTPC computer. This thing only had 2 optical ports but I needed 4. I then bought the Panlong Digital Optical Audio Switch Splitter 4 In 2 with remote.  Panlong Digital Optical Audio Switch Splitter 4 In 2 Out Toslink Matrix Switcher Selector 4x2 with Remote Control . I connected the Panlong 5.1 decoder to the speakers (3) 3.5mm and one optical cable to the Panlong digital optical audio switch splitter. Then I connected the 4 devices to the 4 optical ports on the Panlong digital optical audio switch splitter. I now have a use for my 5300 speakers again with a remote to switch inputs. I am now getting 5.1 sound from all sources ( the optical out on most TV's only provide Dolby for the built in tuner). A diagram is included. Hope this helps someone who has the 5300 or the (3) 3.5mm connector.

I have only been using this device for around 3 weeks.The first problem off the bat was that the left/right channel outputs were backwards for the front and surround speakers (left channel was outputting what should be on the right, and vice versa). Luckily I had enough 3.5mm to RCA converter jacks and cables to swap the left and right channels for the front and surround speakers. However, you may take that into consideration when ordering, either swap you left and right speaker positions, swap their connection to your surround sound base/receiver's output jacks, or buy some 3.5mm to RCA adapters and swap the left/right channels going into your surround. The center/subwoofer output was correct.I have my PS3 connected to the first optical input and my Macbook Pro connected to the second optical input (using a mini-toslink to toslink cable). The PS3 is set for 5.1 output. However, my Macbook Pro does not have options for outputting 5.1. I have tried a bunch of the tricks and tips you find online. Some say it will automatically output in 5.1 over optical if the source program utilizes 5.1, however I have no proof of that being correct (and I cannot tell honestly). However, it still sounds better than using just the single 3.5mm cable into my Logitech 5.1 speaker system. The sub and center speaker are more distinct.The 5.1/2.1 selector switch has no LED or indicator to tell you which mode you are in, but it very obvious once you have sound playing.My only complaints are: The speaker outputs being backwards and there is some crackling and sound degradation from time to time when there are loud explosions and the like, though very minor.I will update my review if any issues arise with it dying like some others have complained about. If you already have a 5.1 computer speaker system, then this is worth it if you want to connect a game system or computer with true surround via optical output. If you do not yet have the computer speaker system and are just looking before purchasing, just go with a surround system with built in optical input instead. If you have a Macbook pro or iMac and want to have actual 5.1 surround, I would not recommend this converter, as OSX has issues with 5.1 output.

It converts stereo as well as optical to 5.1 sound. However the sound transmitted through this device is unbearable to listen. Subwoofer volume is high despite reducing the SW volume in the home theatre to the lowest. Voice clarity is so bad. Center speaker volume is barely noticeable. Rear speakers too. I wasted my money. Pls don't waste yours.

What happens when a device screws up on Dolby/DTS decoding? It ends up accidentally damaging one of the most fail-proof audio connection formats in history that should always work (PCM). If you do basic HDTV Optical audio out from an RF/Antenna signal, your audio will be messed up. You will experience terrible delays, low volume, noise, distortions and dropouts in your audio. SPDIF OUT doesn't force you to use DD signals, audio normally works flawlessly in PCM mode, but apparently this device's circuit board is not complete and has issues even with it. What a junk! Stay away from this untested product. Has not been Q.C. passed. If there is only one working port about this device, it would be the AUX IN (only for RCA Audio out devices). This port magically fixes the flaws of this device, but then again, there is NO amplifier nor a volume/frequency equalizer! Your sound card will do you so much favors. I suggest waiting for a newer model once they perfected the design, or read below...Instead, stick to SPDIF IN on your sound card without using "Listen" feature, or if you don't have that, then buy "Toslink In to 2 RCA Out" DAC converter products which this manufacturer has. But be warned that they don't have amps, so you will need to simply utilize your sound card's ability to upmix stereo up to 7.1 via CMSS-3D's Stereo Xpand (this Auzentech/Creative X-Fi option may differ from 7.1 Realtek/Asus/Siig PCIe/USB/onboard sound cards). Make sure you have the right Hz set and bit depth doesn't matter. By doing this, both a receiver and amplifier will not be needed as Windows 7/8 can customize everything for you already, and not to mention that a sound card is extremely good at analog RCA L/R surround sound processing, even much better than what Dolby uses to power receivers/amplifiers. Thank goodness for LINE IN on sound cards as there is no <$200 device that acts like a receiver. The most they can do for you is analog uncompressed LPCM 5.1/7.1 (3.5mm surround over HDMI) which currently the PS3 supports, as it has a built-in decoder. The rest of the other digital compressed formats are sent out to a receiver via HDMI or optical.NOTE: Do not use your sound card's SPDIF IN from the Digital Audio Out of an HDTV or passthrough device (Coaxial/OTA Antenna/Set-top box/HDMI to Optical splitter) as it is not meant to connect from the TV's end. Only the source device (Blurays/PC/Game consoles) in charge of its own digital data waits for processing to finish taking place and NOT the TV, as its purpose is to send out a digital signal without waiting (analog signals will be fine since TVs store analog signals and not digital). Luckily, this only applies to sound cards that process signals, and not DACs/decoders/receivers as they will decode a signal without any additional processing. But the problem with this Panlong device is that it is receiving the Dolby Digital signal just fine, but then re-encodes the signal to something fake although unnoticeable. This is similar to what the "Listen" feature would do to resend another 8-bit signal. Of course, this leads to latency and/or dropouts! Panlong only works in non-Dolby mode (Digital Stereo/PCM) since it won't try to re-encode once it detects you are not using a DD signal. No delays? Perfect! But hear comes another issue: this device uses INCORRECT Hz settings causing audio distortions! It behaves like a sound card, although one that can't be connected to a USB port (just wished it had support for this as the OS would do tremendous favors of waiting for it to finish faking the sound with its own driver). So these SPDIF IN ports on them cannot be used at all for Dolby/PCM digital signals, since they won't bitstream it. So surround sound without delay issues is impossible through TV Digital Out with this device unless you buy an additional DAC, as Panlong works well with analog signals just fine (Aux/Line in). A waste of money! So what this device isn't is an amp/receiver. You are much better off buying a Logitech Z906, USB Coax TV Tuner and/or a PCIe HDMI capture card. But the best thing is still Line In playback. Unless you are recording, the signal will remain analog and will not go through any conversions. Also, you get to upmix to the same surround over RCA standards (like Dolby ProLogic that was used in past Nintendo consoles). I'd advise: Mono/Stereo only sources="7.1 Speaker Fill/Xear Surround Max". Surround sources recorded in stereo="7.1 Stereo Xpand/Xear Surround Speaker".

Do yourself a favor and don't buy this cheap ass chinese product. It will go bust within 3 months. Rather go for something that look like this ViewHD Audio (5.1CH Digital Audio to 6CH Analog or Stereo Audio Decoder | VHD-51CAD)ViewHD Audio (5.1CH Digital Audio to 6CH Analog or Stereo Audio Decoder | VHD-51CAD)

The centre channel drops out constantly. I really can't recommend this after having returned the first one for the same reason and the second one does the same thing. The centre channel just drops out and you'll have to press the right button twice to get it to work again.

So nice device i hear hidden sounds of surround sound of small insect in a game.normaly some low amplied sound track naturally dominent by primary sound.