Can I use the optical digital audio cable to connect INSTEAD of the hdmi? My tv only has 2 hdmi ports, and they're both taken

I'm afraid that's very misleading and inaccurate.
Firstly an adapter won't work, it would need to be a converter and then if it's a compliant converter it won't let you watch HDCP protected content such as that from netflix or from the iTunes Store.
Secondly, whilst I'm not going to debate whether component or HDMI is better, component is certainly not better if it's been converted from an HDMI signal. You can't make anything better by simply converting it to another type of signal.

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Can I connect the optical digital audio cable to my tuner in order to use my stereo speakers?

can I connect the optical digital audio cable to my tuner in order to use my stereo speakers for apple tv sound?

thats why I do and mute the tv so there is only 1 audio source as they are never 100% in sync when you use both optical and hdmi

HDMI or Optical digital audio cable???

I have an ATV2 with cable box, Samsung sound bar w/blu ray DVD player, and a Samsung led tv. I have HDMI cables and also a optical digital audio cable from my cable box to the sound bar. My tv sound is fine but when I switch over to the ATV2 the tv sound remains on and no sound from the ATV2. I can't figure out what to do.
Message was edited by: Dman3284

Dman3284 wrote:
Shouldn't the HDMI cables carry the sound along with the video? Do I really need the optical digital audio cable at all?
yes they do, but you don't have your kit connected up so that it would do it.
if you wanted to use the HDMI to carry the audio you would need to connect the appletv direct to the soundbar - as it is just now you aren't doing that.

Will an optical digital audio cable improve the sound when I am viewing content thru Apple TV

I have a 2nd generation Apple TV. When I view content via my Apple TV the sound gets "fuzzy" as I increase the volume on my TV. If i connect Apple TV to my Samsung HDTV with an optical digital audio cable, with the sound quality improve??

people say that if the atv2 dont have a connection to the tv optical is muted
I have a atv1 and been using the optical out with my sony stereo system for ages mute the tv so only 1 audio source and on atv1 it play out the optical even with the tv off
of cause one have to choose the optical input as input source on the receiver

Just hooked up my APPLE TV to my Pioneer Elite Pro 1120 HD Just hooked up my APPLE TV to my Pioneer Elite Pro 1120 HD TV (2004/05). I get picture fine (although only 720p), but I can't get sound. Any ideas? I have a Optical Digital Audio cable, but not su

Just hooked up my APPLE TV to my Pioneer Elite Pro 1120 HD Just hooked up my APPLE TV to my Pioneer Elite Pro 1120 HD TV (2004/05). I get picture fine (although only 720p), but I can't get sound. Any ideas? I have a Optical Digital Audio cable, but not sure where to hook up?

how is it connected?
if you use a hdmi to dvi converter then you only get picture and not audio because dvi don't carry audio same with vga

TS5150 Does the optical digital audio port send out a Dolby Digital signal

Does the optical digital audio port send out a Dolby Digital signal

Yes if the media has such an audio track available it can do so.
There is a setting for audio and video allowing DD output to be set for Auto (on/off if connected HDMI device can decode DD), On or Off.
AC

How can the optical digital audio input be enabled on the 2011 Mac mini?

I am trying to record signals output from my audio receiver's digital SPDIF output. I have a TOSLINK optical cable between the receiver's output and my MAC mini's audio input (via the TOSLINK to 3.5mm optical adapter). Does this digital optical input need to be enabled through the OS?

Also, make sure it is showing up in System Preferences->Sound->
Input as optical.
Also, make sure it is plugged ALL the way in. I know on
my 2011 Mini, even with just analog plugs, it is a very
snug fit and often it feels like I have pushed in all the way
when in fact it isn't and needs an addition pretty firm push.

Can I use LAME MP3 encoder in Audition CS5.5 instead of the inbuilt one ?

If I edit a sound file in Audition and want to encode it to MP3, instead of using the inbuilt encoder is there a plugin or a way to make audition use LAME for ancoding the mp3 ?

If you want to use Lame, then probably the easiest way of using it is to download something like ExactAudioCD (free) and incorporate it into that.
Or use Audacity (also free) and the LAME codec available for that.
...but I share Charles VW's curiosity...I've never felt the need to venture away from the Fraunhofer version included with Audition.

I don't see a slot on the iMac to plug in my external hard drive. It only has usb ports and the one for plugging in the cable modem. Where/how do I plug it in?

new iMac, old external hard drive - where do I plug it in?

With this adaptor:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD464ZM/A/apple-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapte r?fnode=51
it appears new iMacs can support FireWire.

Using built in optical digital audio output for 5.1

So, lets say i want to mix something in 5.1 using logic or soundtrack pro, can i use the optical digital audio output of my macbook to send the signal to a home theather or something to mix it?, or i need a special hardware card for this?
Thanks a lot!!

Hi alece,
Just to clarify something;
When using an optical cable there are several standards of audio that can pass through the cable:
S/PDIF - a stereo signal - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spdif
AC3 or Dolby Digital - up to 5.1 surround - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ac3
Dolby Digital Plus - up to 7.1 surround - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DolbyDigitalPlus
ADAT Optical - up to 8 channels of audio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADAT_Lightpipe
MADI - up to 64 channels of audio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MADI
I´m sure other people can add more to the list if they want to, my point is that these signals can pass through the exact same kind of optical cable.
The important bit to know is what does your equipment and software support... in theory your question is quite logical, a software can play 5.1 surround to a optical output like Apple DVD Player does with the built-in sound card of a modern mac. However, Logic does not support live encoding of AC3. That is why you have to output the surround mix in Logic to a sound card with at least 6 channels (5+1 as in 5.1) connected to your speaker system. Typically this would be 5 active studio monitors plus a sub. If you were thinking to use an existing stereo I would not recommend it since most consumer speakers have no limiters to protect them from damage (but may be possible depending on your amplifiers inputs)
I hope this answered your question
Cheers Espen
http://www.midiamore.com.au/

Optical Digital audio - No output control

I'm trying to use the optical audio output on my late 2006 Mac Pro 1,1 (A1186), but no audio signal is received by my Sony audio amplifier even though the "Optical digital audio out" port and my TOSLINK cable show a red glow,
System Preferences says: "The selected device has no output controls." That same message has been displayed for Sound > Digital Out ever since my Mac was new, but this is the first time I've wanted to use that sound output.
Did my Mac Pro come with the needed controls? If "yes," how do I activate them? If "no," where can I obtain them?
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
Don

yep-try looking under system preferences-->sound--or fire up Audio Midi Setup and see if you can get it switched over that way. Dunno about your reciever. You may have to switch it over to digital on that input. I'll turn it over to someone more capable than me at the moment. Gotta go
John B

Optical digital audio output for mac book?

Hello, I am wondering if MacBook pro Retina version has the Optical digital audio output or thunderbolt adapter? so i can use optical cable to do output for my music.

Hi alece,
Just to clarify something;
When using an optical cable there are several standards of audio that can pass through the cable:
S/PDIF - a stereo signal - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spdif
AC3 or Dolby Digital - up to 5.1 surround - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ac3
Dolby Digital Plus - up to 7.1 surround - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DolbyDigitalPlus
ADAT Optical - up to 8 channels of audio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADAT_Lightpipe
MADI - up to 64 channels of audio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MADI
I´m sure other people can add more to the list if they want to, my point is that these signals can pass through the exact same kind of optical cable.
The important bit to know is what does your equipment and software support... in theory your question is quite logical, a software can play 5.1 surround to a optical output like Apple DVD Player does with the built-in sound card of a modern mac. However, Logic does not support live encoding of AC3. That is why you have to output the surround mix in Logic to a sound card with at least 6 channels (5+1 as in 5.1) connected to your speaker system. Typically this would be 5 active studio monitors plus a sub. If you were thinking to use an existing stereo I would not recommend it since most consumer speakers have no limiters to protect them from damage (but may be possible depending on your amplifiers inputs)
I hope this answered your question
Cheers Espen
http://www.midiamore.com.au/

Optical digital audio input port on MacBook Pro

I believe that the optical digital audio inputs on the latest MacBook Pros are defective. I am not sure if the problem is with the hardware or the software.
I use two analog-to-digital converters in my recording studio: the Grace Design Lunatec V3, and the Mytek Stereo96 ADC. Both produce a SPDIF stereo signal with a Toslink output port. I use a Toslink cable with the required 3.5mm adapter.
Both of these converters work perfectly with my 24" iMac. In mid-December of 2009, I got a 15" MacBook Pro. There was difficulty getting the MacBook Pro to recognize a signal from either converter, and when the signal was recognized, the recordings were crackly, pitch-shifted, off-speed, and sometimes parts of the recording would get repeated. All of the settings were adjusted, including the bit-rate and sampling frequency, as well as the Audio Resolution (in both Garage Band and Twisted Wave).
I took the MacBook Pro to the Apple Store, and was very pleased with the service there. My MacBook Pro was replaced with a new one. However, when I brought the new MacBook Pro into my studio, there were the same problems.
At the encouragement of a technician at Apple Care, last weekend I brought one of my converters (the Lunatec V3) to the local Apple Store and made recordings on a number of their machines. The results:
Perfect recordings on the 27" iMac and the Mac Pro. This is in addition to my own 24" iMac.
The same problems - dropped connection, crackly noise, shifts in pitch, and repeated phrases - in two 17" MacBook Pros and one 15" MacBook Pro. This is in addition to the two 15" MacBook Pros that I have tried at home.
I have a case number with Apple Care, but haven't heard back from anyone in a week. I am thinking of just returning the MacBook Pro, but it is a very nice machine in every other way.
Is this an acknowledged problem at Apple, and can a fix be expected?
Thanks,
Mike

What a great job! I've been enjoying making very amateur "audiobooks" for a young grand-daughter recently (simply using a USB mike plugged into one of the MBPs) and emailing her mother the results. Its a great way of remembering old childhood favourites and inflicting them on (whoops, I mean 'enhancing the education of" ) the next generation. Very amateur, but she really enjoys them, I gather. Doing it for real must actually be quite a buzz.
A couple more passing thoughts on the original topic. I guess you will have worked through such things, but does it make any difference whether the MBP is running from power or from battery? The "power in" section of the MBP is located pretty close to the optical port circuitry and might contribute to interference, I guess.
Another possibility might even relate to the proximity of the Mac power adaptor or the computer itself to the other equipment. Have you tried hooking it up to different power outlets, increasing distance between the power block or the computer and the other gear, introducing some shielding, etc etc.
Finally, there can be an issue in which residual current occurs on the body of the MBP itself when it is hooked up using the "duckhead" unearthed powerplug rather than the three prong earthed power lead. I would imagine this, too, could interfere with sensitive gear. (just thoughts from an old audio buff).
Cheers
Rod

Optical digital audio out port

Here is the situation:
The only problem I have with my Mac Pro is that the Audio line-out port does not work reliably in Boot Camp. The audio output cuts out easily and then I have to "jiggle" the speaker cable to get the sound back. And I have determined that it is the audio line-out port that is at fault, not the speakers, nor the cable.
So I want to try to work around this by utilizing the optical digital audio out port.
But I don't understand how it works.
Does this port connect directly to appropriate digital speakers?
If so can someone recommend a decent set of digital speakers that will connect directly.
Or does the optical digital audio port connect to an amplifier or receiver and them to speakers?
Thanks

have you tried other speakers or headphones and what version bootcamp drivers are you using?
Moses Kravitz wrote:
Does this port connect directly to appropriate digital speakers?
If so can someone recommend a decent set of digital speakers that will connect directly.
Or does the optical digital audio port connect to an amplifier or receiver and them to speakers?
With the suggestions i have below the set-up is like this:
Subwoofer - Connects to 2 (Stereo or technically 2.1) or 5 (5.1) speakers
The subwoofer connects to a control pod (which has the optical inputs, coax inputs, and analog inputs - atleast all 3 are on the z5500)
Digital/Optical Audio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK
Suggested Speakers; I Personally have 2 pairs of the Z-5500 set, true high quality audio and variety of settings for whatever you use them for, i have been so pleased by them and their warranty service is by far the best ever, anything ever happens to them, theyll send you a replacement set, logitech/apple great customer service, i also posted a few other priced ones if youre not looking for a huge set up:
The company site & Speakers: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakersaudio/home_pcspeakers/&cl=us,en
Compares a few models:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/comparison/ref=pdcp_ecmp/104-4843690-8241552?ie=UTF8&ASIN.1=B0002WPSBC&ASIN.2=B0002SQ0AE&ASIN.4=B0002 SQ2P2&ASIN.3=B0002SQ0A4&bf=0
and some others in that same field:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/B00007AKDP/2/ref=pdcp_esexpl/104-4843690-8241552
And you're going to need a TOSLINK cable to go from the audio port to the back of the control pods; found a nice cheap one
http://amazon.com/s/ref=srkk3/104-4843690-8241552?ie=UTF8&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=toslink%20cable
hope that helps!!
Message was edited by: AppleNewton

Question on the optical digital output.

Can anyone with a new iMac give me some clue as to what the optical digital output looks like?
As I understand it, its combined with a headphones port, this is where I am confused.
Does it look like a standard Phono type input (Coaxial) or does it have a little red light shining out?
I need to know before I order as I want to output to dac.
Cheers

The optical Jack is just like the normal mini-jack you use for the headphones.
You have to look for a "mini-toslink" cable or adapter. Since most receiver have Toslink digital input, you should buy a toslink-toslink cable and a mini-toslink adapter.
you put the mini-toslink in the headphone output port and the mac automatically switches to digital output.
If you want to watch to a movie in DVD player, insert the DVD, press play, press stop, go to DVDplayer>preferences>sound output>digital output.
I have to choose it every time I watch to a DVD...

Can I use the optical digital audio cable to connect INSTEAD of the hdmi? My tv only has 2 hdmi ports, and they're both taken

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