No Sound through Digital/Optical Out

I have connected my Macbook to my AV receiver/amp via a mini Toslink to standar Toslink cable. The Mac recognizes that it is attached to a digital output under the DVD Preferences but there is no sound through my receiver. My amp is set to receive the Optical signal and my DVD player works fine through the same input, so I know the amp connection works.
I have connected the Macbook to my 1080i TV and wanted to watch movies with digital sound.
I have done multiple searches on this website as well as searched using Google, with no fix.
I have already ensured the settings in the DVD Player are set to send the Digital signal, I have re-started the computer and still nothing.
Please Help.

I'm having the same problem. I've connected my macbook via mini toslink to standard to listen to music on my sound system. It worked fine for atleast 6 months but today it started making static and poping noises when the music was playing through the speakers. My roommate tried his 13" MacBook and the speakers work fine on his computer. After a little bit, the digital out just stopped delivering sound although it recognizes that the optical cable is plugged in (checked through preferences-->sound) But now no audio signal is sent out. The receiver on the speakers doesn't recognize any data being sent.
Anybody know how to fix this?

Similar Messages

After 10.9.3 upgrade no sound on digital/optical port

Hello All,
I have a problem with my Mini (Early 2009, 2GHz Core2Duo). After recent Mavericks upgrade to 10.9.3, sound through digital optical output port dissapeared.
1. I checked receiver's input, works with other devices on the same cable.
2. Cable output light is red (as always, seem Mac Mini transmitter works???)
3. Mavericks says that optical wire is connected to the port, in sound preferences there is digital/optical output available.
4. Speaker icon on Top Bar is greyed out and volume slider unavailable to adjust.
5. PRAM/NVRAM reset didn't help.
6. Receiver doesn't recognise signal because input led says Analog, normally Digital should be there.
Maybe this is a bug?
Please help.
Regards,
Kamil

Hey Guys,
After recent SMC+EFI update on Macbook Air (Mid 2013) OSX v10.9.3, my internal audio device disappeared,
I tried everything I could find in google with no luck. (NPRAM+SMC reset, reloading kents etc.)
THIS IS WHAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ME:
1. I opened /System/Library/Extensions folder, there I found besides the usual AppleHDA.kext, also an AppleHDA.kext.disabled one.
2. I switched between them (swapped their names, sometimes you'll have to do it from the "get info" menu to take effect)
-- if you don't have this AppleHDA.kext.disabled one, try searching for one lil older than yours in the internet
3. then I unloaded and reloaded the kent dir again-
sudo kextunload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext
sudo kextload /System/Library/Extensions/AppleHDA.kext
And voila!
Hope it helps someone, as I spent hours until getting this to work again

Is there a way to turn off/disable digital optical out? 1.9 iSight

I have an iMac 1.9 with iSight. No sound from speakers except the startup chime.
The digital optical out sound connecter is bad and the red light is on, and no it is not a matter of just getting the red light off... the connector is psychically broken as there is a little spring in the connector that came loose somehow.
So I was wondering if somehow if digital optical sound could be disabled thereby allowing regular sound work?
Thanks,
Bill...

Digital or analog output is determined by the connector inserted into your now-damaged socket. There is no way to 'turn off' digital output in such a manner that analog output will then be 'turned on.'
I'll check to determine if your logic board can be repaired at a reasonable price and post back. Apple's stock solution is to exchange the module, and in your case, this otherwise exchangeable part if covered by warranty or an AppleCare extension to it would not typically be covered, because of what would be construed to be 'user abuse.' Don't be offended: that's the official term. Not an indication that you intentionally damaged to component.

Beginning of audio cut off when using digital optical out

Hi all,
This is my first post here since switching to Mac earlier this year.
I'm having problems with the first second or so of audio being cut off when commencing playback using the Mac's digital optical out. This happens with any source of audio in a variety of different applications (e.g. video, iTunes, even system sounds for notifications and the like). I have used a mini Toslink to Toslink optical cable to connect from the Mac's audio out jack to the receiver of my digital speakers (Logitech Z906). Once playback has commenced, audio plays fine; it's just the very first second or so which is usually clipped.
The problem does NOT happen when using the built-in speakers. I've also noticed that if I unplug the cable from the receiver end (leaving it connected at the Mac end) I can see the red LED light shining the optical signal down the cable, but this goes out exactly 30 seconds after audio stops playing. If I start another audio playback within 30 seconds, there is no loss of audio at the beginning, but if I wait longer than 30 seconds (i.e. after the LED has gone out) I encounter the problems with the initial audio being clipped. I therefore suspect that this is an OS issue which is shutting down the digital optical out when audio is not actually playing (presumably to save power or something). I wouldn't have a problem with this if it actually worked properly when audio playback recommences, but it seems that there is a slight delay whilst the optical out service 'wakes up' again and this is leading to the clipped audio.
I've done some searching of the internet (and these support communities) for this problem and there seems to be little information about it. It does seem to affect a few other people though and some have resorted to third party applications or scripts which play silent audio at regular intervals to keep the optical output running permanently (e.g. SoundStay (https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/39833/soundstay) - no longer maintained and the download link is dead). However, these amount to a kludge at best which treat the symptoms rather than the underlying cause, which I would rather resolve.
I tried to log a support case with Apple in order to have them call me, only to have the system tell me that my support has already expired, despite having purchased the Mac only 4 months ago. It seems that my Apple One-Year Limited Warranty is actually only 90 days when it comes to telephone support. So here I am!
Does anyone else have this problem with optical out, and how can I resolve this? Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
Thank you.

Hello kcore66,
Would it be possible for you to upload one of the files in
question so that I can take a look. In Captivate 1.01 there is an
intermittent problem where sometimes the audio is either cut off or
just doesn't play when you publish / preview. To get around this
simply moving the audio object back and forth along the timeline
and then positioning it back in it's original position works 9
times out of 10.
HTH
Regards,
Mark

Hooking up the digital optical out to my stereo reciever

I just got a new Core 2 Duo Mac Mini and I want to hook the digital optical out to my stereo. However, I noticed the connector does not seem to be a standard stereo optical cable. What do I need to do to connect this to my stereo reciever which supports digital optical in?

Actually some toslink cables that yoiu buy, come with them. I remember buying a 6' Philips that included the adapters.
Oddly enough, I think I found it at Wal*Mart (maybe target).

Digital Optical Out problem on USB LIVE Exter

Jpc's guide to digital outputs was great but it didn't seem to address the problems I'm having with my Soundblaster LIVE USB External! I've contacted support on numerous occasions but with no solution...can anybody help me?My Problem:?I have the Soundblaster LIVE USB External Card and I'm trying to play DIVX movies with AC3 soundtracks in VLC media player and also standard DVDs with Dolby Digital 5. soundtracks using both WINDVD and PowerDVD. The Soundblaster is connected to my YAMAHA Home Cinema Recei'ver via the front Optical out (Not the Rear Coax SPDIF) and the amp is set to decode DD or DTS. I have my speaker settings in the Creative Soundblaster software set to Optical Out Only (the little checkbox) and the speakers are then fixed on 2.. In VLC Media player I've selected SPDIF output and I am getting sound but it's just stereo and the Recei'ver is showing that it's receiving a PCM sound signal. In PowerDVD under the config it shows that the Soundblaster is (in use) but under SPDIF is shows (not in use) and I can find no options in Power DVD to select SPDIF! Again I am getting sound but not full-on DD 5.. In WINDVD under sound config is shows options for selecting SPDIF but it's greyed out and unselectable! The only thing that is slected is Analog sound device! I have sound, again stereo!?So that's it really... I'm just trying to figure out why I am getting sound (in stereo only) but nothing that I try will give me full 5.! I understand the concept that ticking the Optical Output only box in the Creative Soundblaster software should then send a pure AC3 signal to the receiver and that should then decode it as it would a DVD from a DVD player! I have tested the front port of my Recei'ver with a set top DVD player and It gives my 5. with no problem!?Any help would be fab!?I'm so at my wits end with this that I'll offer a prize to anyone who can solve this for me!?CheersOlyMessage Edited by olyscott8 on 03-9-200705:48 AM

Thanks for the reply but i'm running Power DVD Delux and even earlier versions of Power DVD had 5. as standard. I think this is not the problem though. I don't want Power DVD to decode the AC3 I want it to pass through the card to my Yamaha Recei'ver and have that decode the AC3 tracks on both Divx and DVDs. So I click the box that says Digital Output Only and it makes no difference!
I did get this to work about a month after buying the card back in September 2006 now it aint working. I've tried every trick in the book from re-install (6 times) to a cleam boot in XP!!!! nothing works! could it be a duff card!
Remember there's a prize for whoever can solve this!
Cheers
Oly

After updating to OS 10.7.4 My Digital Optical Out Has Stopped Working

I use a Toslink connection and iTunes to listen to music files through two different audio systems. After the latest OS update the digital optical connection has ceased to work. I've tried it with another computer running an older OS and it works fine, no issues on either audio system.
Has anyone else had this problem and found a way to resolve it? I've spent 2 days with Apple Senior Tech Support and it's still not working.

The first level of tech support checked that I had the current updated OS, did several reset procedures, then connected me with Senior Tech Support. They checked what first level support did, then had me remove the com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plis and com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist files from the Audio folder in my user library and restart. That didn't work, and I had to leave for an appointment. I was given a case number and called back today.
Today we went over everything that was previously done and talked about reinstalling the OS, however decided that would not work because it would just be the same version of the OS that caused the issue. It was suggested that it was a driver issue and I contact the manufacturer of my DAC to see if there is a driver update. Here is the response:
This is the first I've heard of this exact issue but we have been
hearing of a few issues with Apple's OS when they've done update
changes. They have been having some wifi issues that are causing other
problems too. Starting to sound more like Microsoft every day.
This is a driver in the Apple device controlling Apple's digital toslink
output. It is not something that we could provide because it is an
Apple issue in an Apple device. Unfortunately you will have to stay on
them to get this driver updated. Hopefully and typically they are
fairly fast.
The input on the CD306 is just a standard digital toslink input and has
no special needs. Stay on Apple and watch the forums for assistance.
The more people write or call them the faster you will see the driver.
This is your best shot.

My Mac Pro doesn't have an option to send sound to Digital Optical.

Hello
I've recently had a problem with my Mac Pro where the sound options tab does not display an option to my digital optical audio port. I didn't notice it until I got a headset that needed that port. I figured it was probably the headsets fault, since it wasn't being very cooperative with the computer in the first place. But when I got a new headset that was made for PC and Mac, I found that the option was still not there. I've looked around, and haven't really found a similar problem or solution.
I am running an early Mac Pro 2008 dual Quad Core @ 2.23GHz. I have 14GB of Ram installed, and run an ATI 5870.
Also, I have tested the headset on the Windows side of my computer, and that side IS picking up the digital optical output, so I know that it is working, just not with the Mac OS.
If you guys can help, I'd be greatful.
Thanks,
NetBlitzer

okay, it could be one of a few things-first, fire up Audio MIDI setup and see if that helps, secondly, there might be something stuck in the headphone jack in the on positin- maybe wiggling around in there with a plastic pen might fix it
just a thought
J.B

Which external sound card with optical out is compatible for macbook

hello guys!i got a macbook model 2011 and i want to connect with my speakers which is logitech z5500 with an optical cable!Of course i have read a lot of answers in various forums that told me about the optical out of mac which is the headphones out too!but this doesnt give me real surround 5.1 and i want something more specific such as an external sound card to give me the real sound!i prefered Creative Xfi pro but i have also read that iOSX doesnt recognize the soundcard or have various problems!
please help me !!!!

No Creative sound cards are fully compatible with Vista at this time. Nobody really knows if or when there will be fully working, stable drivers from Creative that work with Vista. If you really need sound, the only fully working cards are from C-media I believe. My on-board C-media sound chip works perfectly with Vista.

In search for an 5.1. set with an digital optical out for my PS3

i have bought an Playstation 3 but now i want to put an 5.1. on it with the optical out the Ps3 has but i really don't know if creative makes them any more and what the prices are of it
so if any body got any ideas or information about it that would be really help full

Wes
My users and I all thank you for this link. It's a lifesaver!
-Philip
P.S. I must say I am appalled at Apple's apparent hypocrisy: Final Cut 5.1.4 not only fixed bugs and adds support for new cameras, but is required for Leopard. Yet there is no way to obtain an update past 5.0.4 via real Apple channels. A call to Apple got me as far as a level-1 tech who told me "there was a paid update to 5.1.2, but it ended last year" (almost true - that update was from 5.0, was a Universal build, and included new media); I am awaiting a call from a supervisor tomorrow, who hopefully has some actual facts at hand regarding all this. The updates from 5.1 were all free and available though Apple.com or Software Update, until Apple pulled them in a very clear move to force users to pay for the FC Studio 2 upgrade. How positively Microsoftian of them.

No digital sound through digital-out coxial

Hello,
first my config :
msi kt3ultra-ARU
Athlon XP1800+
1x256mb DDR RAM
2x80GB IBM Raid 0 (great performance !!!)
1x40 GB IBM HDD
1x LG CD-Writer
1x TEAC 32x CD-ROM
no my problem :
i connected my yamaha sorround receiver through the digital out of the s-bracket with an coxial cabel but i only get the windows sound that click clack sound but no digital sound like dts or 5.1 when i play vob-files with defenitly have digital sound. it all worked fine but i reinstalled w2k and no i only get the system-sound.
i installed the latest ac97 drivers from msi but nothing helped.

Hi,
Can you describe what did you do "before" and "after" the problem occured? Sounded like
before - no Yamaha speakers, no Win2k reinstallation
after - Win2k reinstallation, with Yamaha speakers
Or before and after (win2k installation) you have tested your Yamaha speakers and it worked?
What if you use analog output, does it sound?
If analog sound, then probably you have to check the AC'97 and Volume settings, such as to enable Digital-output etc.

Apple TV (atv) no sound via optical or analog BUT sound through HDMI

Hi all,
This is my first post into the forums. I spent some time searching for problems with Apple TV audio and as a result I think I already know the answer to my question, but would appreciate a second opinion.
My Apple TV is about 1.5 years old (no AppleCare) and has been working fine up until last week. I am using two audio connections:
1) HDMI to the TV (with tiny speakers)
2) digital optical out to the receiver (with bigger speakers... receiver has no HDMI input)
We've been watching videos (youtube, etc) through the TV speakers (over HDMI) for a while, because we we had to keep things very quiet in our apartment. Then one day we wanted to watch a movie, so we turned on the receiver... to the overwhelming sound of silence.
Rebooted repeatedly times, pulled the power cord out, let it cool off, etc etc. Tried a restart via the diagnostic menu... still no output over optical. I tried analog... no sound there, either. I swapped out RCA cables for the analog connections, tested it with a CD player so I know that the cables are good, and the ports on the receiver are good.
So after all that troubleshooting, audio works over HDMI, but not optical or analog.
Then I pulled out the digital optical cord and looked into the port. Sounds silly, but usually there's a red light on when the ATV is on, right? (or for any device with digital optical connections, for that matter). There was no light. I looked at the end of the optical cable, which was still hooked up to my receiver. The tip of the cable was definitely lit up.
So... my guess is that somewhere within the logic board, there's some sort of component failure on the optical/analog outputs. Has anyone had this happen to them?
Now, regarding options:
I read one post in the forum that says the repair cost is approx 2/3 the cost of a new unit... ATV retails on the Apple web site for $229, which pegs the repair price at approx $151. Does that sound right to others? Having taken a look at the teardown guides, I'm sure this will be a "replace the logic board" repair, which will probably be one of the most expensive options.
Thanks very much!

Cubehead wrote:
I have the same exact setup as you. Fortunately for me, mine works well. I can't speak to the ATV replacement option, but I do have a suggestion. On my Denon receiver, I have to assign the optical input from the ATV to the receiver (it does not happen automatically).
Good advice...but I'd assumed they'd had it working successfully before.
This may sound simplistic, but just checking to see if you ever went through that process. Also, just curious to see if this setup ever worked for you. In reading your post, it sounds like this is the first time you had ever used your receiver with the ATV.

Optical out sounds aweful for voices

right now i have my card connected to an onkyo integra series receiver through the optical out and i plug in a headphone to the receiver. when i play a movie, background noises sound absolutely perfect. heck?i can hear a door squeek like it was right next to me and leaves russling in the wind. however, the voices seem to sound muted for some reason. i can barely understand anything. if i plug?the?headphone into the front panel?the problem goes away.
i'm assuming it's some sort of conversion from surround sound mode to stereo headphones issue. i've already set the sb control panel to headphones..
vista 64
soundblaster x-fi titanium

where is the "dolby digital li've" setting? looked everywhere in the creative audio control application..
dwh wrote:
Do you have Dolby Digital Li've turned on while you're doing this? I'm guessing that might be a factor. It sounds to me a lot like you're only hearing the front left/right channels of a 5. signal, since my understanding is that the voices usually are mostly in the center channel.
-Dave
?[email protected]

Optical Out From a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 Exter

Hello, I know there has been numerous posts about digital out and other things of the sort. The other day I hooked up my sound blaster li've to my 5. yamaha av receiver using an optical cable. The only problem is that no sound is being output through the optical cable, even when I turn on the speaker settings to digital output only. The only way I can get sound through the optical is when I use a dolby digital and or dts encoded dvd in windows media player. I am a?very advanced sound electronics user and was wondering if there is something that I have to do within the program or something else. Thanks for the help. Alex

Hello, Well after spending some time I was able to figure out my own problem. If there is anyone else that has a li've external that ever has a problem, hopefully this will help you out. So I have my sound blaster hookep up optically to a yamaha a/v receiver. First thing make sure that you are in fact getting a signal through your optical cable, the end of the cable should light up red, indicating that light(audio signal) is infact being sent through cable. Next, make sure your receiver's input mode is either set to auto or pcm. That way, your reciever will automatically detect your optical and or coaxial cable. At this point, even if you don't set the speaker settings to digital out only, you should still get sound through digitally. If you do not get sound, switch it over to digital out only, and uncheck the synchronize with control panel, and like in my case, it should work. One common misconception is that optical either only works with digital sources, or does not make a difference in sound quality, and to let you know, that is a big farse. After solving my problem, I was listening to stereo music and switching between analog and pcm on my receiver, and let me tell you, it makes a HUGE difference. The digital cable, because it is transferred through light signals, does not compress the sound that much, even with stereo sources, so if you are able to, I highly recommend using optical and or coaxial, but optical is preffered. I hope this helps anyone who ever needs it. Alex Lopilato

MEGA PC Optical Out

I am trying to use the Optical out from my MEGA PC to my Onkyo receiver. I enabled the analog passthrough so the tuner card audio would go through the Optical out and it is garbled as though there was too much gain. I switched to the 5.1 analog out for now (my receiver has 5.1 RCA inputs), but had to change to 4 channel because there was way too much signal going tothe subwoofer.
Any suggestions for making the optical work better with the analog passthrough or being able to reduce the subwoofer output through the analog? The optical gave me the best sound quality for the digital sources.
Thanks

Yea, i tryed almost 5 DVD Roms to find which one is more silent and quicker in acessing discs both in PC and HIFI mode.
They all worked great but i find LG model the Best....
TrojanBarber

No Sound through Digital/Optical Out

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for