surround sound question cables vs optical cable?

2 questions

1)if you are watcing a moive or playing a game and a car passes the screen on the left side. does it give the effect of the car really passing moving the sound from the differnt speakers on the left side or will you just hear the car noise on the left side

2) if i have an optical cable instead of the red and white rca wires how big of a difference will it make. people say you need it to have the tru 5.1 surround sound , but what is that sound can someone explaine to me other than syaing it sounds better please try to describe what about using the cable makes it better

1. If you are watching a movie with surround sound and a car passes you on the left side, it will sound as if the car is actually passing you, the sound will transition from the left rear to the left front.

2. On a stereo receiver if you are using an optical cable or a digital coax (looks like a single rca but color coded orange or black) you will get simulated surround sound on your two speakers. Both these cables are better than the rca because you have a digital signal. This is better because it allows for a better transmission of data giving you better frequency responce, and more accurate (realistic) sound quality.

With a 5.1 or 6.1 or even 7.1 you get true surround sound...only if you use an hdmi, optical, or digital coax.

Now when you listen to your movie it will actually sound like your couch is being passed by that car, rather than hearing the car on your left side.