I have taken the plunge this week and replaced my ageing DVD with a new DVD Hi-Fi system and I have also recently purchased the Daewoo referred to in my profile on the left.

So, this is not really a problem in one sense because all is working well. My query is that both the DVD Hi-Fi (Phillips) and the Daewoo PVR have sockets on the rear marked optical. The only reference I can find to these sockets in either handbooks is on the diagrams of the rear panel which are both labelled 'optical out'. No further references anywhere. So, what are these sockets and what are they used for? I suppose I could ring customer support but they are the usual 0870 numbers so I am resisting because i don't think I will get anywhere.

Any help out there?

They are there to feed a digital audio signal (usually for 5.1 encoded sound) to a surround amp/receiver, which will have an optical in. Though I would be surprised if the PVR outputs a 5.1 signal as Freeview does not have this encoded in broadcasts.