Optical audio from mini is awesome!!

Hi everyone, just thought I would let every budding home theatre newbie know that sound from my intel mac mini via the optical out is phenomenal I was using the analogue all these days. Boy was I missing out.
Imran

Thanks for sharing this with us. I'm glad you're happy with your Intel Mini and its audio capabilities

Similar Messages

Alarming news on optical audio from STB!

I have a Verizon stb QIP 7232-2, a Sony (Bravia) HDTV, a Sony BlueRay player, an AM/FM receiver, a CD player, and an AudioSource soundbar with inputs for oprical audio, mini-plug audio, and stereo audio. The configuration is as follows:
STB connected to HDTV via HDMI cable, BlueRay connected to TV via HDMI cable, BlueRay connected to AudioSource soundbar via optical audio cable (works well), STB connected to AudioSource soundbar via optical audio cable and NO sound is generated.
After 3 days of searching online, forums, Verizon support, etc., I initiated a support chat with Verizon today. The exchange is below, but the astonishing part of it is that I was told that ALL VERIZON STBs are disabled and cannot be enabled! My question about why Verizon would choose to limit functionality and ultimately the user experience of excellent sound was never answered. Also, if all optical audio ports are disabled, why would Verizon hide this from users and actually tout the various connection options? For what reason would I be told that this port cannot be enabled? My research reveals that COMCAST does not have this issue. Never mind that the manual touts the various connectivity options and displays wiring diagrams that include the Optical audio port.
Click to Reload Chat
Chat Subject:FiOS Television (Audio)
Your Question:I have searched Verizon, and the entire Internet!!! Most frustrating is the runaround I get on the Verizon website. I NEED A HUMAN! My optical audio from the STB QIP7232-2 to AudioSource S3D60 does not work. I tried alternate cables, STB, and connections. Also I can't get STB diagnostics to display.
A Verizon Service Representative will be with you shortly. Thank you.
Agent Satish has joined. (19:22:31)
Satish : Chat ID for this session is 02241227755. (19:22:31)
Satish(19:22:37): Thank you for contacting Verizon FIOS technical chat support. My name is Satish , we appreciate your patience in reaching us.
Satish(19:22:47): May I confirm your telephone number as ----------- . At the end of this chat session I will be sending you some basic troubleshooting steps for future reference to your e mail ID <<<>>>by which you can go ahead and troubleshoot minor telephone, video and internet issues yourself.
Carol(19:25:38): correct
Satish(19:25:54): Thank you.
Satish(19:25:59): For your account security and to assist you better, please confirm the below mentioned details   1) Name on the account:  2) Complete address:  3) A good Callback number for future reference
Carol(19:29:01):
Satish(19:30:01): Perfect! Thank you for providing the account information.
Satish(19:30:37): I understand that you are unable to connect the audio source S3D630. AM I correct?
Carol(19:31:22): I have the optical audio cable from stb to soundbar. No sound.
Satish(19:31:57): Let me try my best to help you get this fixed.
Satish(19:32:03): Just to let you know, in case the chat gets disconnected due to any issue at either end, please re-initiate the chat through the same channel or call our FIOS phone support at 800-837-4966, whichever is convenient to you.
Satish(19:32:39): I apologize as the port on the set top box would be disabled by default and our concerned team are working on this to add new feature to set top box. In the mean while the ports are disabled.
Carol(19:35:32): So i have spent the past several days for NOTHING? Could there not be some indication in ANY of the literature, manuals, or online troubleshooting that this port is disabled? Also, this kind of connection has been around for several years. The STB I have is just over a year old (since adding a second box in Dec 2010), and this issue has no resolution???
Satish(19:36:42): I apologize and let me go ahead and conference the chat with my supervisor.
Inviting John to conference (19:37:03)
Agent John has joined. (19:37:03)
Satish(19:37:03): Hello John.
John(19:37:08): Thank you for contacting Verizon FIOS Chat support Supervisor Queue. One moment while I go through the previous transcript.
Satish(19:37:34): customer says that he want to connect optical audio cable from stb to soundbar. please help
John(19:37:59): Okay, I will check with our customer.   Please drop off the chat.
Satish(19:38:15): Thank you.
John(19:38:36): Hello Ms. Rogers.
Carol(19:38:45): hi
Satish has left the conversation. (19:38:45)
John(19:40:11): Ms. Rogers, may I know were you able to access the optical audio port earlier?
Carol(19:43:57): access? it's on the back of the STB and noted as a feature! I have not tried to use it prior to this week. I purchased the soundbar to enhance our TV/Blueray experience. I purchased an optical toslink cable (actually 3) and attempted to connect everything. THere is a light in the cable when connected to the stb, but no audio. The cable and the soundbar both work successfully with the blueray player AND an old Technics stereo am/fm receiver
Carol(19:44:40): and my iPod via a miniplug
John(19:45:11): Ideally the Optical toslink port is disabled for all the boxes.
Carol(19:45:23): why?
John(19:45:59): Ms. Rogers, only the coaxial, HDMI, Component and composite ports are enabled on the set top box.
Carol(19:46:12): again, why?
Carol(19:46:22): can it be enabled?
John(19:46:52): Unfortunately, we do not have the option to enable them.
Carol(19:47:18): and why wouldn't you tell your customers that this port is disabled BEFORE one purchases a home theater or soundbar.
Carol(19:47:46): that's crazy - you can't enable. AGAIN, WHY?
Carol(19:48:24): I understand from days of research that COMCAST does not have this problem.
Carol(19:48:35): Really - this is how you serve your customers?
John(19:49:11): Carol, we would have provided the answer for why it is disabled.
John(19:49:26): However, on the QI{ 7232 box we have the e Sata port only for outward option.
John(19:49:31): *QIP
Carol(19:49:56): what does that mean/
John(19:51:41): We can use the E-Sata drive with the 7232 box to save recordings.
Carol(19:52:34): i don't know what an e-sata drive is or how it conflicts with an optical output. That doesn't make sense to me.
John(19:53:29): Carol, I understand your concern.
Carol(19:53:42): Why would Verizon want to limit its customers' ability to enhance the user experience and benefit from technology?
John(19:53:47): However, we can only forward your concern to our higher level network team to work on the Optical port enable option.
Carol(19:55:49): I have been in customer service and I understand that "I understand your concern" is the polite way to say "I can't wait to rid myself of this whiny customer!" I also understand that none of this is your fault and you have no power to change it - so believe me, it's not you. YES PLEASE FORWARD MY CONCERNS TO SOMEONE WHO CAN ANSWER MY ENDLESS "WHY?"

Does your soundbar support Dolby Digital or PCM. You may have to change settings that are in the hidden menu if it doesn't support both. Hidden menu, while on hit off, ok ok (suggest doing it at box)

Optical audio from Apple TV2 to receiver?

I have an HDMI cable running from Apple TV to TV.
I have a Toslink cable connected to receiver analog audio in (toslink -> mini-jack adapter).
All the sound is currently going through TV.
How do I get the sound to play on the receiver?

In order to go from a optical toslink to an analog input, you must use a converter box similar to this:
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-Digital-Analog-Audio-Converter/dp/B0053VKP8S/ref=sr_1 _3?ie=UTF8&qid=1326466071&sr=8-3
Toslink to miniplug cable only works if the mini input is digital such as the macbook or imac.
Toslink to converter, rca L/R out from converter to L/R analog in on receiver and you should be golden.

Optical Audio Is Not Working with Onkyo Receiver TX-SR501

Hello,
I can't seem to make the optical audio from Apple TV work with my Onkyo Receiver TX-SR501. The Onkyo has 2 optical audio lines in in the back. When I hit the "digital input" button on the front of receiver, I can select from OPT1, OPT2, or COAX. I currently have the optical audio line going into OPT2, but if I select OPT2, I hear no sound. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Holly

I have the exact same receiver (Onkyo TX SR-501) and tgibbs is correct...you must (during a setup process) link each function (DVD, Video 1, Video 2, Video 3, CD, etc.) with its audio source. The Optical cable doesn't connect to a "function" in the back, it connects to an "input". The receiver gives you the freedom to use different inputs with different functions. It's your job, durng the "setup" to map each of these inputs to each function...that way the receiver knows where to go looking for the audio that you are feeding into it for each function you choose. The owners manual has a pretty clear setup process outlined in it.
Not clear to me that you understood this, so forgive me if I am explaining what is already clear to you.

My Apple TV optical audio is not working? Help!

I have and HDMI cord going from the Apple TV to the TV and the optical audio from the apple tv to my yamaha reciever - I cannot get any sound out of my speakers - sound is only coming out of the TV. Any suggestions?

Welcome to the Apple Community.
Try switching Dolby digital to off.

AppleTV Optical Audio Intermittent Drops

Have AppleTV connected to a BOSE Lifestyle system via optical audio cable. Works great except audio intermittently goes out for about 2 seconds and then comes back. This is, of course, annoying. Have checked cables and all are fine. Also use optical audio from DirecTV receiver with no sound drops, so seems to be an AppleTV issue. Have tried running diagnostics and restarting AppleTV with no change. Any known fixes for this? Anyone having similar problems?

The music has since played through the optical cable for several hours without any drops. Make any sense? Indicate anything?
If the optical cable connector is loose at one end or the other, or the cable is cracked and you moved it, it could be related to that, otherwise it's probably just a coincidence. A loosely connected or defective optical cable could be a possible cause of your problems.

Optical audio in passing through to optical audio out... Is it possible?

Hello,
Is there anyway to have the optical audio in passthrough to optical audio out? I use my iMac as a home-entertainment box with a Elgato Hybrid getting video-signals from a cable-box. My iMac is connnected via fibre-cable to a surround-reciever.
The reciever has only one optical input, and the cable-box also has digital audio via optical fibre. So in order for me to not have to switch cables when watching tv on the iMac, I would like to send the optical audio from the cable-box to the reciever, via the iMac.
What really bothers me is the fact that the audio-drivers supplied with bootcamp let you do exactly what I want in windows!
So I know for a fact that the hardware is up for it. I've tried lineIn, (an audio app) but that app doesn't play nicely with EyeTV2.
Can anyone help me?
/Fredrik

I found the answer to my problems. The answer was another app from http://www.rogueamoeba.com called "Audio HiJack Pro". It allows me to select "Digital Audio In" and route it to "Digital Audio Out" "bypassing" the system all togheter. So now I get 5.1 Dolby Digital from my set-top cablebox to my reciever without having to switch cables. Yay!
24" iMac core2duo Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Does the Mac mini have optical audio in?

Hello!
I have been looking at a lot of forums that say that the Mac mini has optical audio or "Toslink" out and in if you use this adaptor:
http://www.amazon.com/Recoton-Fiber-Optic-Toslink-Adapter/dp/B0002MQGRM
I was wondering of this was true. I want to connect my Xbox to the Mac mini so I can monitor the audio coming from it because my display dosen't have speakers.
Please help me clear up the confusion.

1972jeepcommando wrote:
I thought that only the Mac pros had optical audio.
All Mac Mini models from 2006 on had Optical audio input and output.
Apple - Mac mini - Technical Specifications

Losing Digital Audio Ouput from Mini SPDIF

I have a 2010 Mac Mini connected to my HDTV/AV Receiver. I send digital audio to the av receiver with an optical cable. I have sleep disabled for OTA DVR. I have not tried to see if it will wake the mini to record.
I have it working, but often upon using the mini the next day, the device changes away from the Digital Out to the Soundflower 2 channel output device. This virtual output is used by one of the rogueamoeba applications to catch audio streams.
At night the AV receiver is turned off, so the mini may think the digital output has failed and does some sort of failover to the next device.
Any ideas?
Ebola.

Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
You need to start your own discussion concerning your issue. You are committing an infraction, it is called a threadjack. Digital audio from a Mac's audio outport is a very different issue from digital audio over USB.
So return to here; http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1317&start=0
Then press *Post New Topic* from the top left of the page, give your topic a title, and explain your issue as clearly and in as much detail as you can. Include everything that you have already tried to resolve the issue before posting here in the ADs.
Good luck!

Optical audio output not working on mac mini

I have a brand new mac mini (less than a week old) that I've hooked up to my media center. Unfortunately, when I hook the optical audio output to my Pioneer receiver, I get no sound. I know the receiver decodes optical audio correctly because it does so with my DVD player and my Xbox. I have tried all 4 optical inputs on the receiver, and have tried two different optical cables, as well as 2 different optical adaptors (required by mac mini to go from TOSLINK to the mini TOSLINK output on the mac). This tells me that all signs point to the problem being with the mac audio optical output stage itself. I have called apple technical support and have had it looked at, at an apple store. Unfortunately, the apple store does not carry a device where the audio output could be plugged in to verify that no sound is delivered. Apple refuses to replace the unit because I cannot prove to them that the problem is with the mac mini and not with the pioneer receiver. I find this incredible. My first experience (and quite possibly my last) with a mac has proven to be a nightmare.
Before I contemplate returning the unit and demanding my money back, is there any help anyone can provide....some magic bullet I've overlooked? Has anyone else had this problem?
Thanks....

Thanks for the reply. Yes, when I plug in the optical cable to the mac, it senses it correctly and changes from "Internal Speakers" to "Digital Out" under the sound system preferences. Also, there is definitely red light coming out of the other end of the cable. That only tells me that the "carrier frequency" of light is most probably being generated, but not that the digital audio information is being modulated on top of it.
Any other ideas? Out there?

Mac Mini (Mid 2010) Optical Audio Annoyance / Issue

Hi,
I just purchased a new Mac Mini a few days ago and got it up and running with HDMI to my TV and optical audio to my AVR. I have bitstream passthrough working in DVD player and VLC / Quicktime with Perian installed. Happy camper on that end.
My issue lies that I am unable to change my speaker configuration from 2ch stereo in Audio MIDI Setup. This means that I can not use my 7.1 AVR to monitor 8 channels of audio out of the pro apps I'm trying to use! (Final Cut/Soundtrack)
I even wen as far as to take the HDMI out of the mix thinking that it was affecting the amount of audio channels available to me and switched to using a MDP->DVI adaptor with a DVI->HDMI cable so that audio is not passed. No dice.
Is there some kind of magic mojo that is needed to get Audio MIDI Setup to allow me to select more than 2 channels when using an optical connection? I really would like to use my pro apps and monitor my mixes as well as watch
Look forward to hearing from the Apple guru's here! Thanks.

Mr.C UK wrote:
As far as I'm aware any form of DD or DTS whether it be 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 or indeed 7.2 is discrete by nature.
They contain discrete sound channels, but all are contained within one bitstream. They are encapsulated, if you will.
To my understanding, multi-channel PCM is not encapsulated in the same manner.
David.Austin.Allen wrote:
It was my understanding from the posts from others that this would carry digital audio.
Yes DisplayPort can provide audio. But you have to either be using an displayport-to-displayport connection, or using an appropriate adapter.
But a typical MDP to DVI adapter is not going to pass audio.
Mr.C UK wrote:
...DVI does not pass through sound...
This is correct insofar as the fact that the DVI spec does not include audio. And as you said, a typical MDP adapter does not pass audio.
But just so you know, the DVI interface can actually carry audio, if it is present. When I had my 2010 Mini's HDMI port connected to my DVI Detective (via HDMI-DVI adapter) and then the DVI detective was connected to my HDMI reciever (via DVI-HDMI cable), I was receiving the HDMI audio stream at the receiver.

5.1 audio from iMac using a mini toslink adapter?

Can I get 5.1 audio from mid 2011 27" iMac (ultra build I think it was called) using a 'mini Toslink adapter'? If so does OS X Yosemite (10.10.1) decode Dolby Digital and/or DTS in iTunes12 ? I've had this computer since its release and always wondered. Today I bought a mini Toslink adapter, fingers crossed I guess. I have a Logitech Z-5500 kicking around, to get 5.1 I need to either hook up optical (Toslink), coaxial, or 6ch 3.5mm x 3.
anyone else doing this?

Greetings Napes30,
Thanks for contributing to the Apple Support Communities.
It looks like you have some questions about outputting surround sound from your iMac with iTunes 12.
Your iMac does support optical audio output, as mentioned in the tech specs:
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) - Technical Specifications
Headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)
You should also be able to connect the Mac to your receiver using your mini-Toslink adapter, as you may have already found out!
This information and more about using digital surround sound with iTunes can be found here:
Set up iTunes and your DVD Player for digital surround sound - Apple Support
A TOSLINK (optical digital audio) cable with a mini-TOSLINK connector or mini-TOSLINK adapter to connect to a 3.5 mm optical digital audio jack
All the best,
Jeremy

Mac mini optical audio failure

Hi, I ask for help regarding a problem that is affecting me about my Mac Mini 3,1 with Lion 10.7.1 connected to an amp with optical cable Sony HT minitoslink -> toslink.
Until a few days ago, everything has always worked perfectly. In these days, after turning on the mac mini, the audio comes easily to the amp, so I can see DVD movies and MKV in multichannel audio mode. After about 10 minutes, while the video continues, the sound stops. I try to restart the mac mini but the problem remains.
In addition, when i disconnect the optical cable from the amplifier side, the red light is not present. If I link a headphone to macmini or set-up to internal speaker analog audio works fine.
If I turn off the mac mini and power back up after fifteen minutes, the optical digital audio back, but it turns off after 10 minutes.
I tried to connect the cable to another macbook: it works regularly and the red light is turned on regularly for some time.
I did a clean install of Snow Leopard 10.6.7 on a USB drive and unfortunately there are the same audio issues.
In your opinion can be a problem with cable or there is a problem on macmini sound card?
I tried to reset the PRAM and SMC, permission repair, delete audio preferences, but nothing changes.
I also tried the Apple Hardware Test and the Apple Diagnostic Disk and the result is okay.
Can you help me?
Thank you for your attention

Hello, I solved the problem. I moved the Mac mini in a ventilated place, then I turned it on and I put the headphones into the "audio out". I restarted the computer three times, then I put the optical cable and everything works as before!
The CPU temperature was 72 ° C. I used the software smcFanControl and the temperature dropped to 52 ° C. I think the Mac Mini overheats so much. Now is okay, I have seen many movies in Dolby Digital and DTS.
I hope that you solve the problem.
Goodbye!

I have no audio from the mac mini to the hdtv via hdmi cable.

This started immediately after the latest "apple software update" I updated it automatically on 6/24/2011. I have an elgato eye tv connected to the mac mini that provides BOTH audio and video through the HDMI to the HDTV. The elgato eye tv works fine. I get both audio and video.
However, I only get picture and NO sound from the mac mini to the HDTV via the HDMI output. No streaming audio either - only picture. Ive tried pandora, netflix, hulu, etc. I even put in a DVD into the mac mini and again I receive a picture through THE HDMI but no audio.
I've shutdown and rebooted. I've disconnected power and reconnected power. I've gone into the system preferences, audo, and highlight the SONY HDTV as the output. But still nothing. I do notice when I toggle between the "internal speakers' and the HDMI option, the audio arrow on the lower right is bright blue during the internal speakers option but is grey when the HDMI option is connected.
I called apple care. Since I'm 98 days past my 90 days of coverage there is no help via human being. They offered me to set an appointment at the local apple store but they suggested I bring down my 60 inch HDTV with me to the store to be sure it is not a "Sony" issue. I hope someone can help me resolve this without having to put this mac mini on craigslist and taking a $ hit.
This was not an issue yesterday. It became an issue after the latest and greatest "update" to prepare our machines for the lovely lion.
Thanks.

I have the same issue. I also have the 2010 mac mine and use hdmi for audio to my receiver. I get audio from eye tv with no problems, but it seems to lock the path so that only it can use that path for audio. If I restart the computer and do not start eye tv everything else works with hdmi audio. I have tried using the system settings and changing the source there but it doesnt seem to matter.
David

I captured from mini-dv camcorder to FCP7 using control from my computer and firewire. I cannot find the file or clips I transferred anywhere except for in Finder. How do I get the clips from Finder to FCP7. Also I did not see audio on the computer meters

I captured from mini-dv camcorder to FCP7 using control from my computer. I only find the capture clip in Finder. How do I get the clip in Finder to FCP7.
Also my audio in the capture was not showing up on my audio meters on my computer-is this normal. Thanks

you will not see the audio meters from within fcp move while capturing.
If you only see the captured clip in the finder, not within fcp, there's something wrong. You might try deleting your fcp preferences
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2491

Optical audio from mini is awesome!!

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