Are digital audio outputs relevant with PVRs ?

I am thinking of buying a PVR, to use in conjunction with my home cinema receiver.

A few PVRs have digital outputs, but as the programming won’t be transmitted in 5.1, is this relevant ? I assume I will get the same type of sound (in Dolby ProLogicX ) using phono outputs (provided on virtually all of the boxes) as I would using a digital output and therefore digital outputs need not be one of my key purchasing considerations.

Thanks for any input you can give.

 

Better D-A conversion in your processor is a good reason to have digital as is the potential to handle DD 5.1 if it ever gets broadcasted