"Optical audio port" on back of imac?

it sure doesn't look like an optical audio port... most optical audio ports are square and have a tiny door on them.
I know the manual said something about getting a "mini-plug adapter" to use the port incase I want to output my itunes into my audio receiver but is the port on the back of the imac something that takes a "mini-stereo plug" like headphones or is it something that takes a "mini-Toslink" plug like a few I've seen advertised on ebay?
well I guess the bottom line is that its probably a "mini-stereo plug" because my Boston computer speakers plugged right into it....

Hey there - use the mini-Toslink plug (I chose a 90 degree adapter version) and then ran it to my stereo receiver. Voila! Optical out. The only thing I'm still working on is getting some type of software switch installed (if at all possible) to swap between digital audio out and using the built in speakers (My stereo receiver isn't always on and I don't like unplugging the cable just to get the speakers to work.) To answer your original question, yes, the mini Toslink cable will work just fine.
-Mike

Similar Messages

Dose the HDMI Cable have Audio Support or do I need to use the Optical Audio Port on the ATV?

I recently noticed that the Apple TV has an "Optical Audio" port on the back, next to the HDMI port. Before I buy one, will I need to buy a Optical Audio cable, or will the HDMI cable suply sound to the TV?

HDMI carries both audio and video. The optical port is for connecting to a receiver/external speakers.

What is the audio in/optical audio port for ?

I scan thru my iMac manual & found that I have not use my audio in/optical audio port.
What is that port for ?
Can I connect a mic to it & do a voice over in FCE ? If yes, then is this a better method or using a USB mic is better ?
Thnaks

MartinR wrote:
The audio-in port supports both analog audio input & optical digital input. It can be used with almost any audio source including microphones, tape decks, cd players, dvd players, mixers, etc. including mic level and line level sources. The quality of the audio will be dependent on the quality of your audio source. It is neither better nor worse than a USB based audio source per se.
Yes, you can connect a microphone to the audio-in port. The quality of the audio will be dependent on the quality of your mic. If you have a good mic the results should be as good through the audio-in port as it would be via USB provided your USB device is capable of producing good audio.
Thanks Martin for the answers !!
Really appreciate it, thanks

How do I connect the Apple TV to the home theater if the optical audio port is in use

I had an airport express connected from the home theater system to the speaker out port on the express through which air play worked just fine. Then the express wouldn't work with my new router so I looked for something to replace it. The new Airport Express was the same price as the Apple TV and so I went with it for the added HDMI from NetFlix benefits. Now I find that the cables I used on the express won't work on the Apple TV. It wants an optical cable but there is only one port on the speakers and it is needed to get the sound from the TV to the speakers. So, is here a work around? An adapter or something? What I really wanted it for more than anything else was to use air play to get my music from the computer to the theater speakers.

I have a further question about this. It turns out I do have 2 optical audio ports but I was told I wouldn't need it if it was connected via hdmi. I have 4 ports and they are all in use so the question is whether the best solution is to just get an optical audio cable and connect it directly or get an hdmi splitter so I can add in the Apple TV?

USB port at back of iMac stopped working except keyboard. Why?

My USB ports on back of iMac stopped working, I can't seem to get any power from them. Only keyboard port works..
My externals don't work neither and I got all my hard work on them. I think I've lost info?

I have no idea what happened. However, I believe that you've got to take it back to the service provider and work with them. Call them and tell them what happened and see what kind of a response you get. You might want to try to get in touch with Apple Customer Service and see if they can help you out with the service provider.
As for "compensation", that is probably a legal matter unless you have some kind of insurance that covers you for business losses. You might try to stress to the service provider that they should do whatever service is now needed to get the machine working again at no additional charge.

Is it necessary to use the optical audio port on the apple tv

Do I have to have an optical audio cord to get sound on the apple tv

No, the HDMI will also play audio to your TV.
Jules

Ports at back of iMac are driving me crazy!

I'm using GarageBand with a guitar and bass, often monitoring the output with headphones.
Plugging the instruments and headphones in the back of the iMac is major hassle. I often spin the thing around 180 degrees just to get set up.
And then the cables! Yikes! Headphones, guitar cable, mouse cable...
Is there some inexpensive solution so I can plug into <something> which is always plugged into <some port>?
Perhaps some phyical USB interface?
Suggestions, please!
iMac (Intel CPU) Mac OS X (10.4.5)

http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Interfaces.html

Audio port on back does not play music to my stereo???

I am upgrading from a G5, and on that computer I plugged a cable from my stereo receiver into a port on the back with a speaker icon to play iTunes through my stereo.
I tried this on the Mac Pro and it did not work. I tried plugging it into the headphone jack on the front and that worked. Why does the port on the back not work?
Thanks!!!

Additional to Mr Brody's post, I found that to get the audio out of the line out port (mini-DIN jack) of my Mac Pro took a bit of convincing the first time. What I had to do was go to the Sound System preference and in the Output tab I neede to change the output device a few times and change volume up and down as well until it worked.

New Intel Mini's Optical Audio

I am thinking about upgrading my current mini to the new Intel Mini due to the fact that it has optical audio. My mini is connected to my home theater and I want to take advantage of the digital sound. Here's my question:
Q: Does this new Intel Mini really have optical audio like you would find on a DVD player? I don't recognize the actual plug. Most equipment that I use with optical audio has that little black plastic square plugs that you remove when connecting an optical audio cable. My receiver has many inputs.
Do I need a proprietary cable to connect a new Intel Mini to my receiver's optical audio port?
Maybe this seems obvious, but I have to ask before I shell out the cash. Better safe than aorry.
Thanks in advance,
Marc
15 PowerBook G4 - 1.5GHz Mac OS X (10.4)

The audio out port on the new Intel-based Mac mini is a standard type of port. In Apple products, it's used in the AirPort Express, the G5 and Intel-based iMacs, and the new MacBook Pros. The port is a combination of a standard 3.5mm "headphone" port and a digital optical audio port. You can get a regular digital optical cable with the adapter at the online Apple store here. If you already have a digital optical audio cable, you can just get a "Toslink to mini Toslink adapter" like this.
However, if I were you, you don't need to buy a whole new Mac mini to get digital optical audio out. The $99 m-audio Transit USB audio adapter will give you digital optical audio out of your current Mac mini. It will allow you to play surround sound out of your Apple DVD Player application and specifically configure non-surround sound audio out of non-surround sound applications, like iTunes. I'm using the previous model of m-audio's USB adapter with my G4 Mac mini and it works very well.
-Doug

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)

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!

Optical Audio to Regular Speakers

Hello, I am planning to purchase a 3rd Gen Apple TV and I want to use it with my Acer monitor (20.1") over DVI with a HDMI-DVI adaptor but if I use that there will be no sound (My monitor has no speakers anyway), So my question is this: How to use the Optical Audio port and send it to a 3.5mm output (just the standard 3.5mm port, the one found on many speakers)? Is there a cable that does it?

To convert audio from the Apple TV optical cable to analogue you will need a DAC such as this (although I'm not posting the link to suggest this particular model), you would also need a cable to convert from phono to mini jack.
You should also be aware that DVI is not officially supported by the Apple TV, you would need to ensure your TV supported 1080p/720p and HDCP and may be worth testing before purchase.

Optical Audio - Analog Audio Adapter?

I have been thinking for a while about buying an Apple TV.
One of the main reasons I want an Apple TV is for streaming music through the Apple TV into my stereo system WITHOUT having the TV turned on.
So this means I need to use the Optical Audio port to go straight into the stereo.
I have a Kenwood XD-551 stereo system which is reasonably old and only has Analog Audio input. That means I can't connect an Apple TV to the stereo using an optical audio cable. Is there an adapter I can buy that connects Optical Audio to Analog Audio?
I know I can stream music to the speakers through an AirPort Express (I have a 3.5mm to Analog cable), but I want an Apple TV also to stream HD Movies and TV Shows from iTunes, as well as AirPlay Mirroring from my iPod Touch.
My current set up:
TV --- 3.5mm jack to Analog Audio Input --- Stereo
My intended setup:
Apple TV --- HDMI --- TV
Apple TV --- Optical Audio to Analog Audio Input --- Stereo
I REALLY NEED A SOLUTION TO THIS OR ELSE I MAY NOT END UP BUYING AN APPLE TV

I am also looking for a exactly a similar setup.
streaming music through the Apple TV into my stereo system WITHOUT having the TV turned on
@alexei Ok, so this solution works with you. just to understand the setup,
you connected the apple tv's 'optical digital-audio port' to a DAC using which kind of cable ? links from amazon or other websites will be very useful.
Output from this DAC, you connected to the speaker via 3.5mm jack, correct? again a cable name (both ends) will be extreemly helpful.
With this when you airplayed music on 'apple tv' via itunes just the audio played on your speaker, correct? assuming your TV turned off during the music play.
And when you airplayed video/movies on 'apple tv' it automatically played on your TV.
Just wanted to know, you see only one airplay configured on your iphone/ipad correct ?
If this exact setup works with you..then bingo..I can go ahead buy all those stuff. If you have a different set-up with which you play music and video sepeartely using apple tv then please do share..
Your answers to these quesions will help me to decide if I need to buy Apple TV for music(which is equally important) and watching movies. And the invetsment dosent stop there..therz DAC and cables.
Thanks!
PS: I know I can stream music to the speakers through an AirPort Express, but want to go for apple tv.

27" imac optical audio

Hello, i'm trying to connect my imac to my audio receiver, so that i can listen to iTunes through my surround sound system. currently i am listening to music with my playstation3, which is connected to my receiver with an optical cable. I was told i could connect my iMac to my receiver with an optical cable, but it doesn't look like the iMac has the same port as my ps3. i went to 4 different stores today, looking for the right optical cord for the job, and nobody had it. so my question is, where can i get an optical cord that can connect my iMac to my receiver, so i can listen to iTunes thru my 5.1 surround sound? and also will the quality of sound from this setup (imac/receiver) match the quality of sound from my current (ps3/receiver) setup? and if you can't already tell, i am not the smartest when it comes to computers, so please try to keep your answers in layman's terms. haha. thank you

hello again, sorry it took so long for me to post on here again. I got that cable from the link you sent me, set it up to my receiver and it works great. i can now control my surround system with itunes . Only now i have another problem. i don't want my surround system to ALWAYS be the audio output for my computer, really only for listening to music. and now when i go into my sound settings, under output i have no option to change back to my built-in speakers on my imac, so my sound is constantly coming thru my surround system, which is uncool. seems like the only way to go back to my built-in speakers is to un-plug the new cable every time, which is undesirable. any solutions?

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.

"Optical audio port" on back of imac?

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