Combined optical digital audio port

Combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack)
Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out (minijack)
Dumb Question but what exactly does this mean, what types of connections does this port take? only headphone jack?

It is a jack that does both standard analog, and optical digital, on the one connection.
You can plug in a standard mini-headphone (1/8") like most iPod/music devices use, including 1/8" to two cable Y adapters for plugging into stereos, etc.
You can also buy a funky adapter that looks like a standard mini-headphone adapter, but it is plastic and has an optical jack on the back where the cable would usually be. This allows you to connect the MB digitally to any equipment (like a home stereo receiver) that accepts optical input, or plug things like CD players, DVD players, etc. into the MB's input. If you check out the online Apple Store, they sell a Belkin kit that has the adapter with a short optical cable and they have a picture so you can see an example.

Similar Messages

  • Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out

    What is the "combined optical digital audio output/headphone out"? This is what the output is called that has the earphone picture beside it on my MacBook. I thought this meant that it could take the mini jack out that splits into a/v - yellow, white, red, and plug it into any tv or monitor that has those inputs. I tried it just now, but a no go.
    If the only way to get video is through the mini DVI output what does the "Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out" mean? If I can get video out of it, how can I do it?
    Thanks!

    Hi Trevor Deck: As you have discovered this does not output as a video signal. That jack is strictly for audio. The "optical" portion of it is used to output using a "Toslink" cable to provide "optical audio" to an external amplifier. The DVI port needs to be used to get a video signal to your TV. But be warned if you use the red, white, & yellow method of hooking up the video signal you will probably be disappointed. If your TV has a HDMI or PC input it would be much better. You would then have to get the proper DVI to whatever type adapter.
    Good Luck
    Stedman
    MBP 1.83, 1.5gB RAM   Mac OS X (10.4.9)   Quiet, Cool, Re-furbished, iPod mini, iPod shuffle

  • 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

  • Combined optical digital audio output/analog line out

    Combined optical digital audio output/analog line out minijack on the new Mac Pro support 5.1?

    Are you asking if it has that?
    http://www.apple.com/mac-pro/specs/
    says:
    Combined optical digital audio output/analog line out minijack
    Which means it does.
    On all but the earlier Mac Pro models, this has been standard since the iMac G5.
    Mac Pros earlier used SPDIF.
    These are now mini-Toslink.

  • No sound out of my MAC PRO Optical Digital audio port

    I own a Mac Pro early 2007, running MAC OS X Ver 10.6.7
    I also have  a set of Logitech Speakers Z5500 connected to the Optical digital port
    No problem ever until now
    Suddenly I am not getting any sound out my Mac Pro.
    The speaker are testing fine, the volume is set correctly and in the system preferences, in the Sound function the device is selected for Digital Out.
    I am at my rope's end.
    Any help will be appreciated
    Thanks
    Carlos

    sircolio:
    I took my apple to teh Apple Store and one of the geniuses analyzed to be a hardware problem.
    It will cost me $500.00 to have fixed. Thanks but not thanks

  • 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

  • CD player Toslink optical out to optical digital audio in port. Need  help

    Hello,
    I'm taking the Toslink Optical out of my Sony 707esD CD player into the Audio in/optical digital audio in port of my March 2009 iMac.
    In System preferences>Sound>Input>Digital in Optical digital-in port I see a signal occurring on the input level meter but I do not hear audio.
    Output is headphones port and is working fine from other sources.
    I see a signal input does anyone know how to hear the output.
    Thanks.

    You need the free LineIn app from Rogue Amoeba.
    http://www.rogueamoeba.com/freebies/
    Dah•veed

  • 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

    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.

  • I am aware that iMacs do not support Blu-ray. However could I use am   a Blu-ray player connected via the audio/optical digital in port to watch Blu-ray on my iMac screen ?

    I am aware that iMacs donot support Blu-ray. However, could I use a blu-ray player connected via the audio/optical digital in port to watch blu-ray on my iMac screen ?

    You could connect a FireWire Blu-Ray drive and use non-Apple player software.
    <http://eshop.macsales.com/search/external+blu+ray>
    <http://www.macblurayplayer.com>
    <http://www.macblurayplayer.com/download.htm>
    <http://www.mcetech.com/blu-ray/>

  • HT2844 iMac 27"(late 2009), Audio in/Optical digital audio out port, stopped recognizing my new Bose speaker system, previously working...

    Hello,
    My iMac 27"(late 2009), Audio in/Optical digital audio out port, stopped recognizing my new Bose speaker system, previously working through that port. I tested the speaker system through my iPhone, and it works fine. I hooked it up to the Headphone out/Optical digital audio in port, and it works through that port also. I did a computer restart, I also checked all wiring and did a system repair on the computer. I also restarted the computer in mode where I could use the system utility, and the computer still did not correct the matter, and it reported everything as being "ok". I wented into "sound", through system preferences, and the computer does not recognize anything I plug into the Audio in/Optical digital audio out port. When I plug the speaker sysytem into the headphone out/optical digital audio out port, it does recognize the Bose speaker system as being "headphones".
    Reading through a lot of forums, I hear everything from compatibility, to the port being stuck, and on and on. Since the port was working before, and just quit working one day, I wonder if there is a capacitor or fuse or some type of similar thing is blown, and causing the port to be unfunctionable. Maybe the port went bad, but before this time, I had never used it, and the computer does not move around, and I never plug in and pull wiring out unless needing to, and that being rare.
    Here is a link to Costco, where I bought the system, and the exact system I have, if this is any help:  http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku= A4092931&ST=pla&dgc=ST&cid=262075&lid=4742361&acd=1230980794501410
    By the way, I am running OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5). I upgraded to Mavericks about a month ago, and expeirienced a number of issues, and had to take my iMac into Apple. Talking with the tech, I decided to wait for a while more before I upgraded to Mavericks. I try and keep the computer maintained.
    If any of you have any ideas regadrding wear and tear, and fix I can do, etc., besides having to take my computer into Apple? Thank you, and potentially all of you, for your time and effort in helping me with this issue. Thank you kindly.
    davE

    Okay, davE, first, you have posted in the "Mac Pro" forum (not Macbook Pro), so we can't be super helpful
    but we help you. First, hold down the Option key while clicking on the speaker icon at the top of your screen. This should show you all the inputs and outputs you have. you could check in "About this Mac" then "More info" to see whatever's recognized. Then, maybe, fire up Audio MIDI. your speaker system should show up there. something might have gotten set incorrectly. You can test it there.  I guess you are using the good ol' analog cable for connection, and it works on your iPhone, so the cable isn't bad.  You could try this. it 's an adapter which might solve your problem
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HBWYQ6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
    depending on which model of Bose speaker you have, you might try doing a product reset
    turn off speakers...unplug power cord from outlet...wait 1 minute..plug cord into outlet..turn on speakers..
    \\turning off automatic standby||
    press and hold top of control pod for 6 seconds until you hear 2 tones that go from high to low
    other than that ,I  don't know
    John B

  • My MacBook Pro has no audio.  Sounds preferences showing output is Optical digital-out port.  How do I change this to built-in speakers?

    My MacBook Pro has no audio.  Sounds preferences showing output is Optical digital-out port.  How do I change this to built-in speakers?

    I experienced this same problem yesterday on my MacBook Pro,  still searching for a solution, several other posts here indicate people have been experiencing this since at lease 2007.  I have  yet to find a clear solution. 
    It appears that occasionally inserting headphone causes this, it turns on the Optical digital-out port feature (red light glows inside the headphone port) and takes away the internal speakers option.   Restarting did not restore it, but for some reason after sitting asleep overnight the sound started working again and the internal speaker option return in the Sound - Output Window, and the Optical Digital-out option went away. 
    Here is another post with some ideas on this 
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/4160477#4160477

  • 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

  • Question regarding mic plugged into audio in/optical digital audio in port

    So I have this external headset... headphone/mic set combo... I plug the headphone jack in the headphone slot and the mic jack in the audio in/optical digital audio in port slot in the back of my IMAC. I go to my system preferences select "sound" and "line in - Audio line in port". But when recording, it's still recording from the internal mic? How do I just record just from the external mic??? What am I doing wrong? I've read all the other questions regarding how to get the external mics to work, but it's still recording from the internal mic? Help?
      Mac OS X (10.4.9)  

    I never expected APPLE wouldn't make a mac that didn't have a proper mic jack?
    It has a proper one, a good one, a professional one, not the toy that comes with most PCs. Apple has used line level analog audio input for years.
    From Wikipedia;Line level is a term used to denote the strength of an audio signal used to transmit analog sound information between audio components such as CD and DVD players, TVs, audio amplifiers, and mixing consoles.
    In contrast to line level, there are weaker audio signals, such as those from microphones and instrument pickups, and stronger signals, such as those used to drive headphones and loudspeakers. The strength of the various signals does not necessarily correlate with the output voltage of a device; it also depends on the source's output impedance, or the amount of current available to drive different loads.

  • HT1338 audio output defaults to optical digital-out port

    M audio out defaults to optical digital-out port; I cannot select internal speakers - it is not in the preferences menu

    I experienced this same problem yesterday on my MacBook Pro,  still searching for a solution, several other posts here indicate people have been experiencing this since at lease 2007.  I have  yet to find a clear solution. 
    It appears that occasionally inserting headphone causes this, it turns on the Optical digital-out port feature (red light glows inside the headphone port) and takes away the internal speakers option.   Restarting did not restore it, but for some reason after sitting asleep overnight the sound started working again and the internal speaker option return in the Sound - Output Window, and the Optical Digital-out option went away. 
    Here is another post with some ideas on this 
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/4160477#4160477

  • Digital audio port?

    I'm a newbie with this stuff... and I'm wondering about the "digital audio" port on my G5 dual-core. What does it do, and should I be using it? Right now I have my keyboard/mixer combo going into the normal "audio-in" port.

    I don't think I've ever heard of an Optical-Out (that's what it really is) on a keyboard, they are generally analogue and/or MIDI (Digital).
    As for the mixer, it would be labeled or at least be in the manual if it had it. I would be very surprised if it were a "hidden" feature.
    I must confess to not being too well versed in Optical Ins/Outs because like most of the people here I use FireWire and USB devices instead, but everything I've seen that had them clearly labeled the fact.

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