Mini Analog and Optical Output

I would like to use both the optical and analog output from the Mini. I would like to use the Toslink to connect to my stereo and the analog to connect to my TV. Is there an adapter/connector which will do both or is there an alternative solution? Your assistance is greatly appreciated! --John
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Your issue actually has two parts: hardware and software.
Hardware: Is there any such thing as an audio cable that has both analog and digital optical connections at one end and splits so you can have both coming out the other end of the cable and going into your stereo? I've never heard of one, so chances are you'll have to use analog or digital with your headphone port and then find a second hardware option to output the other audio signal. This can be accomplished with a single AirPort Express. As you've discovered, if you have a second audio hardware solution, like a USB audio adapter, you can't select both outputs at the same time in the Sound System Preferences. This leads us to software...
Software: Is it even possible to tell the Mac OS or an application playing audio to output both signals at the same time? Yes, it is with an AirPort Express, AirTunes and iTunes. I don't think I'd call the AirPort Express not "worthwhile" if it's a simple solution to your question. But, it's not available to other applications and I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone else here looking for the same thing. If I were you, I would seen Apple Mac OS X feedback and let them know directly that you'd like to be able to select more than one audio out option at the same time in the Sound System Preferences. My G4 Mac mini is connected to my stereo/receiver with an m-audio Sonica USB that has a digital optical audio out and I can't output that at the same time as the headphone port. So, there are other people with hardware configurations that would benefit from that option.
-Doug

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Message was edited by: Leeon

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[Background]
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AC

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Go to Solution.
Attachments:
control_v2_DAQ loop.vi ‏46 KB

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Attachments:
control_v2_ML_simple.vi ‏83 KB

Mini Analog and Optical Output

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