Like the other guys said.
Step 1 - Turn Dolby Digital into PCM
Step 2 - Turn PCM into XLR
The question is where will this happen.
My cable box can output PCM (although they don't call it that), so I am okay with my DAC.
I didn't have a DAC in an older setup, and the analog output of the cable box was far inferior to the digital, so I used a Digital Surround Processor to do the conversion to RCA. I doubt you will find something like this with XLR outputs though.
I really doubt your TV won't be able to output PCM, but you never know.
Step 1 - Turn Dolby Digital into PCM
Step 2 - Turn PCM into XLR
The question is where will this happen.
My cable box can output PCM (although they don't call it that), so I am okay with my DAC.
I didn't have a DAC in an older setup, and the analog output of the cable box was far inferior to the digital, so I used a Digital Surround Processor to do the conversion to RCA. I doubt you will find something like this with XLR outputs though.
I really doubt your TV won't be able to output PCM, but you never know.