Audio concern with optical out (headphone jack)

According to Apple, unless I am blind, Macbook pros from 2008 cant support 5.1 via toslink in the headphone jack:
(Copied from Apples Tech spec page)
Connect external speakers, headphones, or optical digital audio equipment. The headphone / line output jack accommodates optical digital audio output, analog audio output with a 24-bit, 44.1-192 kHz D/A converter, *digital audio output up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-192 kHz sampling rate* and supporting encoded digital audio output (AC3 and DTS). For analog headphone / line output a standard audio cable with 3.5mm metal plug should be used. For digital audio, a standard toslink cable with a toslink mini-plug adapter can be used.
Yet I read how people say they get 5.1 working. I don't get it. Apple says only up to 24 bit stereo.

Look in the Audio MIDI Setup utility when connected to the receiver and see if you can select it there. IIRC you must have a DVD encoded in surround sound in order to have the Mac put out the surround audio.

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