Is it possible to convert stereo to surround sound instantly?

How is it I get Surround Sound from Stereo RCA cables?

• I have a Media Center setup with a PC connected to my TV and to my Home Theater System. The video connects via HDMI to the TV and the audio through RCA to the HTS. When I play movies, some TV shows, etc, I get surround sound. The rear speakers will play the music, echoes, etc. Now I do have the 1/8" jack from the PC plugged in the 5.1 out, but it's plugged in by stereo RCA, (Red, White) into the Stereo input of my HTS. How is it possible to get surround? Is my HTS attempting to mimic surround sound? Can a 5.1 signal be transported via stereo RCA Cables? Really curious as to how that's working. My HTS is a Philips HTS 3440

• Answer:

  standard 4.0 surround sound works in this way 1) information in the left stream 2) information in the right stream 3) information that is the same in the left and right streams 4) difference between the information in the left and right streams (thuss the 4 streams of sound) i hope this gives you enough knolage to figure out how your system works