I have a six speaker (surround sound) home theatre system w/ a receiver doubling as a DVD player. Enter the Really Really Old TV.

The home theatre was a snap to set up. I had it up and running in no time and playing a CD through the surround sound. It would not play the TV sound through the surround sound - the issue being, my TV has no audio-out jack (red) and my cable cord was connected to the TV and not the receiver.

So in order to hear TV programs in surround sound, I need a way to connect my cable to the receiver - utilizing the audio/vis components on the receiver (not the TV) to get surround sound when watching TV... yes?

Since the receiver only has a hook-up for coaxial, am I looking for a optical-to-coax converter or should I try another fix (bypassing all this with a VCR as a medium really isn't an option since space is tight)?

So basically you want to view the picture on the TV and listen to the sound on your home theatre. Correct?

To do this you'll need a cable box. Your cable box will have audio outputs that you can connect to your home theatre receiver.

The cable box should also have a rf output which connects to your TV via coaxial. Set the cable box to channel 3 or 4, and your TV to the same channel. Turn off the TV volume, and turn up the surround sound volume.

I believe that should work.:)

Stereo Cable conveter, if you have a choice.

Space is the biggest issue I'm facing right now, and it's been a PITA. A cable box isn't an option since I don't have access to one anymore. I'd go the route of a VCR but they're bulky and I really would rather not. Out of curiosity, how would a stereo cable converter work?

I think, if all else comes to bust, I'll have to bite the bullet and find a way to add a cable box in until I can buy myself a new TV.

Channel would be selected on cable box. TV on 3, whatever channel selected on cable box
Will put out the audio out of converter, then to Amp.
Stereo cable converter's go for maybe $80.00. Could maybe get for $40. From Radio Shack, or Ebay?