DD 5.1 audio without cable box possible?

This is a newbie question. I appreciate your help.

I'm not able to get DD 5.1 audio from the TV channels. Even though the TV show is broadcasted in 5.1 audio, my receiver shows 2.0 on its display screen.

I'm wondering whether I'm doing something wrong or whether this is not possible to begin with.

I have Time Warner broadcast basic cable, but I don't have a cable box. My setup is simple. Cable from the wall goes to the TV, and digital audio cord from TV goes to the receiver. My TV is Sony V5100 and receiver is Sony CT500. When I connect a blu-ray blayer to one of the TV's HDMI ports, the receiver shows 5.1 on its display. So, I'm guessing that the TV is able to pass 5.1 signal and receiver is capable of receiving 5.1 signal.

Is there something wrong in my setup? or is this because Time Warner filters DD 5.1 audio in unencrypted clear channels.

For example on Friday, there was a prime time show on CBS and CBS displayed on the TV screen that this show was being broadcasted in DD 5.1, but my receiver displayed 2.0 on its screen

Thanks for your responses. They were helpful.

From what I understand, I guess it is either Time Warner filters DD 5.1 audio in unencrypted clear channels or I might have a problem with my TV's QAM tuner.

Is there anyone who is able to get DD 5.1 sound from Time Warner without a cable box? This would help me determine that the problem is the TV not Time Warner.

The display screen on the receiver shows LPCM 2.0, even though some TV shows state that they are in DD 5.1.

I checked TV's (Sony V5100) audio setup options, I could not find a selection for PCM or bitstream. The TV's manual states that its "optical audio output connects to the optical audio input of a digital audio equipment that is PCM optical compatible." Does this mean that TV can send only PCM?

I know that when I connect my blu-ray player to one the TV's HDMI ports, the TV is able to pass through DD 5.1 audio via optical cord to the receiver.

Ratman, thanks for your help. I was thinking about the same thing, testing what happens with OTA. But my concern is that when I scan OTA channels, my settings (deleted channels, channel names, etc.) will be cleared and I have to reprogram everything when I switch back to cable. But again, this is probably the best way to determine the cause of the problem.

I noticed that for specifications of some other Sony TV's e.g., W5100, Z5199, Sony explicitly state that "Connects to the optical audio input of digital audio equipment that is PCM/Dolby Digital compatible." and also 5.1-channel audio out. These are not stated for my TV.

I saw 5.1 channels on my receiver when I connect my blu-ray player to TV and pass the audio to the receiver through optical cord, but I do not recall whether it was Dolby Digital (this may be a stupid sentence). I don't know whether you can have 5.1 channels without Dolby digital. I'll check it this evening whether the Dolby sign was also on.

Given that specifications for other Sony TV models explicitly state 5.1-channel audio out, but my TV's specifications don't makes me suspicious that the problem might be the TV.

Only if there's somebody who has Time Warner cable without the box and getting 5.1-channel audio out, then I know for sure the problem is the TV

Or only if there's somebody who has the same TV but getting 5.1-channel audio over the air, then I know the problem is Time Warner.

I verified that the TV passes through DD 5.1 audio when the source is my blu-ray player.

I tested the TV with OTA and I still could not get DD 5.1 for a tv show that is in DD 5.1. So, the problem is not Time Warner. Sony confirmed that I should be able to get DD 5.1 when the source is TV's tuner, so I'm guessing that the problem is probably the TV's tuner. Sony support asked me call an authorized service and have them check the TV.

Ratman,

A sony authorized technician will come to my house on Wednesday and check the TV. I believe that the TV's tuner is defective. I'll figure this out on Wednesday.

I know that in my area TV stations broadcasts in DD 5.1. Also I confirm that other people are able to get DD 5.1 without cable box from clear QAM channels. So, the problem is not TV stations or Time Warner.

According to Sony tech people, my TV should output DD 5.1 only when the source is TV's tuner.

I'm guessing that the TV passes DD5.1 out the optical when using an external source via HDMI, because of the Bravia sync. Both the TV and receiver are Sony and they are synced.