PC->Home theatre audio decoding

[rtjnyoface]

If I connect my laptop to my home theater via audio and video cables (not HDMI or anything special) how does the audio get decoded? By the pc and then the home theatre system? I assume this would be quite the question to answer as there are so many variables such as what theatre system, audio format, media player, and so on but I thought I would ask as I don't see how it could hurt. Maybe someone would know if one takes preference over the other or something IDK :).

[tebasuna51]

If you don't use HDMI or SPDIF (optical or coaxial) the audio is already analog and your home theater only can amplify or use analogic filters, the decoder is in your PC