828 MK II - Digital Out to Surround Receiver: Possible?

[Drader]

I guess to summarize first: I'm using a Motu 828 MK II with Cubase 5 and sometimes with Vegas Pro 9 on Windows 7 and I'm interested in working in 5.1 sound. I have always used the Motu in just 2 channel out but I do have an optical cable connected to the output and going to the optical in of my surround receiver but I'm not having much luck finding the right settings to make this work for digital out. The Motu manual isn't of much help and I'm now wondering if I should just connect to the receiver using the analog outs (like 1 & 2 for the front, 3 & 4 for rear and 5 & 6 for center & Subwoofer). I'd prefer to be able to use just the single optical cable because it's less work, neater workspace and... well: digital. Thanks in advance for any advice and/or suggestions.

[HCMarkus]

Been a while since I set my system up, but, as I recall, surround receivers need a Dolby surround-encoded surround signal at the digital ins to work in the manner you desire. I used 828mkII analog outs.

[Drader]

OK, yeah, that makes sense. Plus it would have been a little too easy to use just one cable. Thanks for the reply and info.