Digital or analogue headphone jack

I'm setting up my Powerbook Titanium G4 to be my music source for a nice stereo (plugging into my preamp). I think my only Powerbook audio out is my headphone jack. First, can anyone confirm this? Secondly, is the output in digital or analogue format? Thanks.

Details about the sound system can be found in the relevant document here.
Jan

Similar Messages

When external speakers are plugged in to headphone jack, sound randomly goes back to internal speakers or digital audio setting, then back again

I have an essentially new MacBook Pro with Lion and all updates applied, and am wondering if this is a hardware or software problem. Essentially with something plugged into the headphone jack, things work as they are supposed to for a while, then the sound will switch back to internal speakers, or sometimes 'digital out' (I can watch it change in the system settings), and then often switch back. It doesn't seem to follow any sort of pattern or be related to any specific application that could be open, and happens with different sources of audio (iTunes, streaming from the web), and different external speakers or headphones plugged in.

Sounds hardware related. If it's brand new, and you're still under warranty I would have it checked out.
I have not experienced this on my computer.
As I understand it, you have analog RCA outputs from an 1/8" to left and right RCA outputs. when you're randomly using the computer, it'll switch to internal speakers, then to digital audio, back to your stereo analog external speakers.
This should not be happening and if it's happening with streaming content (I am unaware of anything that streams in 5.1 digital audio) then this must be something that an apple specialist should look at and consider.
Does this happen with the headphone jack out? when you hold your finger over the headphone jack area does a red beam come out of it *blinking* or just on? This will be a good indicator that your audio hardware is faulty. are you running HDMI out?

Digital Audio Noise from the Headphone Jack

I have been searching for a while to see if anyone else has this problem.
I have random faint digital noise (bleeps, bloops, and whirls) from my headphone jack. This happens regardless of application. I can get it going good by just tossing the volume bar back and forth on the sound pref panel.
I have considerably less of this from the line out but still detectable noise.
I have disconnected everything non essential from the Mac Pro and my power outlet are reduced to a minimum. (monitor and Mac)
I have tried numerous headphones including Etymotic ER•6 and Sony MDR-7505.
This has always been present in 10.4.7 and 10.4.8. Like I said, its faint in volume - but it gets annoying!
I have read the following below and believe these do not apply to me because this is not an external powered device.
Power Mac G5: I hear buzzes, beeps, or humming
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86523
Macintosh: Solutions for noise in the audio signal
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86655
Thank you!
2 x 2.6 GHz Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1 GB original RAM

I found out today what is causing the noise on my Mac Pro!
Our next door neighbor has a really high power HAM radio that I am picking up static and transmissions from. I thought I was going insane when I heard weird voices coming out via my headphones. I know it is our neighbor because I heard him relay his name and location. Had to get my wife to listen to prove I was not going crazy.
Here is the weird thing. I do not have AirPort or BlueTooth on the MacPro...so I cannot figure out how the transmission is permeating the Mac. Could it be a shielding issue on some internal component?
Thanks!
Mac Pro 2.66 Mac OS X (10.4.9) 4GB / 1TB

I have a digital voice recorder with a 3.5mm mic and headphone jack and want to transfer some recorded lecture to my mac book pro. The mac book does not have 3.5mm jacks. Does anyone know if a jack to USB converter would work?

I have a digital voice recorder with a 3.5mm microphone and headphone jack and want to transfer some recorded lectures to my mac book pro. The mac book does not have 3.5mm jacks. Does anyone know if a jack to USB converter would work?

Is there a pattern to the time of day or other detail that may be
traced back to a OS X system cause of this odd phenomenon?
Are there any copies of system files on any of the attached USB
external drives? Any libraries, such as iTunes, iPhoto, etc?
Once the drives are indexed by Spotlight, are their permissions
ignored by the OS X? Content, if neutral, should not affect the
wake or sleep cycle; especially if they're ignored by the OS X.
Could there be a bad cable or other component? If so that would
be a difficult process of elimination to detect it. Usually replacing
most suspect components in the USB stream (external to Macs)
is a rote way to mechanically test that idea; & not 100% sure.
Does the equipment all have a good ground to the utility or house
electrical field? An intermittent ground may affect more than sleep.
Hard to say at this point. Maybe a late-night talk radio guru on
remote viewing could peer into your situation and sleuth it out?
Sorry to have run out of ideas, but the process must be electrical
& mechanical to some extent. - Or perhaps odd software inspired.
Do you have any phone-home spyware items inside, just jumping
at the chance to spill your information? Little Snitch may help.
PS: Perhaps the computer needs to go into Apple & have a genius
or product specialist at AASP test the unit thoroughly... BlueTooth?
see:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Wake+reason:+XHC1
Good luck & happy computing!
edited 2x

Macbook 2008 no audio from speakers - can't disable digital audio - red light in headphone jack

Looking for help with this problem, that seems like a lot of people had in the past and still have, but I see that a couple of discussions on it here have been archived. Too bad, as the problem continues.
I seem to be having the same problem with my late 2008 white 2.1Ghz Macbook.
I had used earphones a few times with movies and iTunes, with no problems. Now I've just rebooted to find that I have no audio from internal speakers (the boot up chime works though). Earphones work perfectly.
There is a constant red light in the earphone jack. The volume icon in the top menu bar is greyed out. In the Sound preference panel, Built-in Speakers are not available as an option for audio out. The only option is Digital Audio. If I connect earphones, then they are available as the only option.
I have tried all the various methods that people have recommended, to switch off digital audio through the earphone jack: trying to flip the little switch with a toothpick, paper clip, etc., as well as cleaning around inside the jack with a bit of rubbing or cleaning alcohol; also tried inserting and removing the earphones plug several times, while pushing the volume buttons on the keyboard. Nothing works.
I did get something from inserting/removing the earphone plug, as I seemed to be able to adjust volume from the keyboard, but I never got sound out from the speakers; the volume window seemed to indicate increase/decrease volume as I pressed the keys, but after a few seconds the volume window greyed out again with the No Entry symbol.
Trying to flip the digital audio switch in the jack occasionally gets the red light to turn off for a couple seconds, but then it comes back on.
Is there any particular problem with this that can't be solved by the aforementioned methods, that many people have used to solve it in a simple manner? Could my problem be more serious? Is there anything I could do if I opened up the Macbook, e.g., somehow to manually turn off the digital audio switch?
Any help greatly appreciated.

Got it fixed with a small flathead screwdriver with a fairly wide blade. Opened iTunes, started playing songs, had red light in headphone jack, as per usual with this problem.
Put screwdriver in jack, with blade more or less vertical, started moving it around inside of jack in clockwise motion, pressing pretty firmly. Took just a couple of "swirls" around the inside of the jack and then audio finally turned on! Was a bit of a hassle, but finally worked.
Many thanks to all for their suggestions.
P.S. re. advice not to use metal object. This was the only way I was finally able to solve the problem (i.e., using the small screwdriver). I didn't see where using a metal object would be a problem, seeing as the headphone plug itself is metal. Anyway, it worked.

HP Headphone jack with digital output

OK, so HP customer service is officially garbage. Everyone knows that, i just had to get it out of the way before anybody responds "Just ask customer service". I have a HP Pavillion dv6724ca notebook with 2 headphone jacks. I heard that one of them is a digital output jack for 5.1 surround and my sound card specs say that i have digital output capabilites (go DXDIAG.exe - Realtek Digital Output), but I cant get it working. I have a 3.5mm mini TOSLINK to TOSLINK connected, i have enabled my digital output in Realtek HD Audio Manager, i have checked the supported formats in my Realtek Digital Output properties.....but still nothing. Am i missing something?
thanx

I don't think your model HAS the headphone/mini-toslink SPDIF jack, RE: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01443331&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_US... . The HDMI port is SUPPOSE to support BOTH digital Video AND Audio... however I BELIEVE that there was/is some problems with the Audio side on some HP models. BUT to be sure however, use the search facility to search on HDMI. If everything is working according to spec (on the PC AND on your >>>TV<<< ), you should ONLY need a single HDMI cable to do what you want ... but I fear you are going to run into problems. Report back your findings.
Good Luck.

Macbook stuck in headphone (optical digital-out port) mode. Plugging and unplugging headphone jack no help.

Stuck in headphone (optical digital-out port) mode. What do I do? Plugging and unplugging headphone jack no help.

Do you see a red light in the headphone jack?? If you do, then the microswitch is stuck and you need to turn it off. Try poking it with a toothpick.
If you don't see a red light, then try resetting the SMC and PRAM and see if these helps. Here are the links.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

Headphone Jack Digital

Somehow my headphone jack got stuck in digital mode. The sound on the internal speakers still works, but when I try to use headphones, the sound icon turns grey and I can't get sound out of the headphones. There's no red light in the headphone jack. I already tried reinstalling the OS, but that didn't help. Any ideas?

Hi sandwitcheater,
Welcome to the forums.
Try un-plugging and plugging in the headphones about 10 times in a row.
if your still having issues,
reset SMC, http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
if your still having issues,
reset NVRAM, http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379
if your still having issues
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1574 , Troubleshooting issues with no audio from built-in speakers on Macs.
good luck!
Let me know how if it works out for you.

How do you disable "digital optical output" so the red light in headphone jack goes off and I can use the internal speakers?

HI,
I have a red light in my headphone jack and I see "correct responses" listed as "when digital output is enabled speakers are disabled." That's all well and good but doens't really help. HOW do you disable the "digital output," get the red light to turn off and be able to hear through the speakers? What's the SOLUTION to the problem. Sorry, just a bit frustrated. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Best,
dpeast12

Allegedly this can occur if there is a contaminant in the headphone jack that makes the computer believe there is an optical connection there, so it shuts off the internal speakers.
Try inserting and removing a headphone plug repeatedly. This ought to dislodge the junk, and seems to have fixed the problem for others. Hope it helps!

No sound, stuck on digital audio output, red LED only sometimes, headphone jack doesn't "grab" male end

Borrowing my boyfriend's computer after my own Macbook died, he had given up on the audio on his Macbook Pro as a logic board issue but I think it might be fixable.
System prefs for audio is stuck on digital output. The red LED from the headphone jack only shines sometimes (rarely, actually, but the digital output/no sound persists). No appearance of dust in the jack. What concerns me most is that the headphone male end doesn't "sit right" in the jack: rather than plugging in securely, it pops right back out.
I have a hunch this is similar to that little switch problem a lot of people deal with in the headphone jack, but the fact that the headphones won't plug in seems different. I've tried pulling the jack in and out and wiggling--no sound change, but the LED turns off and on sometimes. Any other ideas? Thank you all.

Possibly create a new user profile to test if it is a software issue. If it still has problems once tested on another profile it is most likely a hardware fault, and the only option is to take it to Apple. Honestly though it sounds more hardware related due to the power outage impacting it's performance instead of a program. Good luck buddy.

How to make my computer send all the audio through optical audio cable instead of headphone jack?

Howdy,
To listen to online radios or CD's played from my computer, I used to connect the computer to my home entertainment system from the computer's headphone jack to the AUX port on my home entertainment system.
I now wanted to get better sound and purchased the optical audio cable. However, I don't know how to tell my computer to send the audio signal to the home entertainmeny system through the optical digital cable rather than through the headphone jack. If I just unplug the cable connecting the headphone jack and the AUX port and only have the PC and the system connected with the optical audio cable, I don't hear any sounds. I suspect the computer isn't sending any data through the optical audio port. I'm not able to find how I can adjust the settings on my computer so that from now all sounds are output through the optical audio.
1) I'd like to do that mainly for my HP desktop (configuration below) and any advice on how to do that would be appreciated.
2) I also have a HP laptop (configuration below) and was wondering if that would be doable too (even though it doesn't appear to have a audio out, but it has HDMI out - can one convert it to optical audio?
Thanks in advance!
My desktop is:
ENVY h8xt,
• Windows 8 64
• 3rd Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 quad-core processor [3.4GHz, 8MB Shared Cache]
• 12GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [3 DIMMs]
• 1TB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive
• No secondary hard drive
• 1GB AMD Radeon HD 7570 [DVI, HDMI, DP, VGA adapter]
• 300W Power supply
• SuperMulti DVD Burner
• Wireless-N LAN card (1x1)
• 15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB 2.0 (front), 2 USB 3.0 (top)
• No Additional Office Software
• No additional Security Software
• No TV Tuner
• Beats Audio (tm) -- integrated studio quality sound
• HP USB volume control keyboard and mouse with Win 8 keyboard
• Adobe Premiere Elements & Photoshop Elements 10
And the laptop:
HP ENVY 15t Quad
• Windows 8.1 64
• 4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ Processor
• NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GT 740M Graphics with 2048MB of dedicated video memory
• 15.6-inch diagonal Full HD BrightView LED-backlit Display (1920x1080)
• 8GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)
• 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• 24GB flash Hard Drive Acceleration Cache
• No Additional Office Software
• Security Software Trial
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• No Internal DVD or CD Drive
• Standard Keyboard
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
• 802.11 AC WLAN and Bluetooth(R) [2x2]
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hello @_goma,
Welcome to the HP Forums, I hope you enjoy your experience!
I have read your post on how you are looking to make your computer send all the audio through an optical audio cable instead of the headphone jack, and I would be happy to assist you in this matter!
To configure your desktop to enable the optical audio cable, I recommend following the steps below:
Step 1. Click the Windows Key Button on your desktop
Step 2. Type "Control Panel"
Step 3. Select "Control Panel" in the top right-hand corner
Step 4. Select Sound
Step 5. Under the Playback tab, right-click the white area below the devices available
Step 6. Select "Show Disabled" and "Show Disconnected Devices"
Step 7. Connect your Optical Audio Cable
Step 8. Select your Optical Audio Cable as the default device and click "Enable"
Since it is not possible to convert the HDMI out to audio out on your notebook computer, it is unfortunate that the notebook is not able to connect with an optical audio cord.
Please re-post with the results of your troubleshooting, and I look forward to your reply!
Regards
MechPilot
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

My MacBook Pro with Lion 10.7.2, only audio on the headset, and speaker mute. With Windows, the audio works in speaker and headphone jack. What is the problem? What's the solution?

My MacBook Pro with Lion 10.7.2, only audio on the headset, and speaker mute. With Windows, the audio works in speaker and headphone jack. What is the problem? What's the solution?

There is probably a red light on inside your headphone port, indicating that the analog/digital switch in there is stuck in the digital position. Insert a headphone plug and wigle it around, especially in the horizontal plane, as you insert and remove it several times. This will usually unstick the switch and restore normal operation. If it doesn't, the machine will need to be repaired.
This has been a fairly common problem, but in most cases it is easily cured as described above.

My iPhone 5 is suddenly having audio issues through the headphone jack.

So this is a strange situation, and I'll try to explain in depth so that someone might be able to suggest a solution. As reference, I have an iPhone 5 that I purchased in late-February. I've had every other model of iPhone except for the first iPhone, so I am pretty familiar with the device. I used to be on AT&T, and switched to Verizon when I upgraded to the iPhone 5.
Two days ago, I was on a six hour road-trip, and I'd been playing my music like normal through my car's auxillary cable. After stopping for lunch, I went to plug my music again, but once the music started to play, I realized that only the drums were playing at normal levels while the vocals were very, very soft. I switched through a few different songs, and realized that all the songs were being played at different levels; sometimes the backup vocals were normal levels while the instrumentation and lead vocals were quiet, or vice versa. I decided to plug my iPhone in to charge, and when I did this, the audio levels were all normal. However, the iPhone was NOT charging. I removed the charger, and the audio went back to being weak and distorted. I went back and forth at this for a bit, trying to figure out what was going on.
Since then and after some testing, I realize that my iPhone will now only charge anywhere EXCEPT in the car charger (I simply use my USB cable that came with my iPhone and plug it into the power adapter I have in the car). This morning, I tested the audio in my home speaker system, and I had the same audio issues. Only half the song's tracks would be at normal audio levels, while the other half would be at a very quiet, almost nonexistent level. I tried plugging my charger into the phone to see if that'd make a difference, but instead of the audio going back to normal like it does in the car, the music stopped and there was just crackling and very noisy distortion sounds.
I'm super confused and not sure what to do. This has never happened to me with any of my iPhones. I am updating my software right now, and am hoping that that may help somehow. Otherwise, I'm at a loss. Any suggestions as to what I should do would be greatly appreciated!

Do the new iMacs have digital audio out through the headphone jack?
Yes.
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP576

My headphones are not recognized by the headphone jack.

This is an extremely chronic problem that I am getting very furstrated with and I would like it to be resolved soon.
Problem:
My speakers work perfectly fine, the problem is when my headphones are plugged in.
What happens when I plug my headphones in:
No sound comes out of them.
The little speaker icon on the top of the screen next to the battery charge and the internet signal turns grey.
When I press the volume buttons (F11 and F12), the speaker icon comes up on the screen, but the volume does not change and there is a small circle icon with a side slash through it.
In system /preferences/sound it doesn't say headphones, but it says digital out.
I have tried to resolve the issue multiple times by calling AppleCare and going into the Genius Bar.
PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME. I WILL BE ETERNALLY INDEBTED TO YOU.
This is what has been done:
First time: The Genius plugged his headphones into the computer and it miraculously started working, then it stopped working when I got home.
Second time: A new logic board was put in the computer, three weeks later it stopped working.
I called AppleCare yesterday, the technician had me delete two files that started with com.apple... then reset the PRAM, it worked for half an hour, then it stopped.
I called AppleCare again today, but I was told to just plug the headphones in and out to toggle the switch in the headphone jack. It didn't do anything. Also, what is the purpose of that switch in the headphone jack?
The only time I have seen that red light being emitted was when it stopped working after the new logic board was installed. A red light was emitted from the jack when the headphones were removed for about an hour. Then it started working for 20 minutes, then it stopped, and no red light was being emitted anymore.

Try restart your iPhone before connecting. It can solve many problems.

No sound on Boot Camp (Windows 8) red light in the headphone jack ?

I have a MacBook Pro 9.2 (i7 3rd gen, HD4000, 750GB, 8GB) and i install Windows 8 Pro 64 bit. I have a issue with my headphone jack only when i use BootCamp i have the latest driver for it (download from bootcamp application OSX). I see that inside of the headphone jack there is a red light i think that it is the optical out of it. I try to reinstall the driver no succes. Now i need help to fix it

The red light means you have jammed the digital audio jack by inserting an analog plug too far. It is not a BootCamp issie--can happen to people without BootCamp. Here is the reason for the problem I posted in another thread:
Background, or "why this happens": the audio-out port on a modern Mac is digital and is held to high dimensional standards. Most headphones have an analog plug not made to such standards. The specific issue is the the "tip-to-stop shoulder" distance on many analog plugs is just a bit longer than on a digital one and jams the "mute" contact inside the port in the muted position. <deleted>'s advice to insert a plug and gently wiggle it in the horizontal plane is exactly on target unless you are under warranty, which would still necessitate a trip to an Apple store for service.
The best action is prevention. When connecting headphones (or external speakers), put on the headphones and have an audio track running BEFORE you insert the plug. Insert the plug slowly, listening for sound on both channels and, when you hear it, STOP INSERTING.
Bottom line is you do NOT want to insert any random plug "to the hilt" until you know it is dimensioned to fit a digital port.
My MacBook Pro has the same jack. I have a pair of decent-quality, name-brand headphones and their plug is not to spec. This picture shows their plug in the port at a position that delivers proper sound and does not let the plug fall out:
Note that the shoulder is about 1/16-inch from contacting the computer case. It is secure in this position.
Every plug is different. I have a pair of El Cheapo external speakers I picked up for US$2 at a yard sale and their plug fits perfectly on my Macs with a digital audio port. Go figure!

Digital or analogue headphone jack

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for