Optical Digital audio - No output control

I'm trying to use the optical audio output on my late 2006 Mac Pro 1,1 (A1186), but no audio signal is received by my Sony audio amplifier even though the "Optical digital audio out" port and my TOSLINK cable show a red glow,
System Preferences says: "The selected device has no output controls." That same message has been displayed for Sound > Digital Out ever since my Mac was new, but this is the first time I've wanted to use that sound output.
Did my Mac Pro come with the needed controls? If "yes," how do I activate them? If "no," where can I obtain them?
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
Don

yep-try looking under system preferences-->sound--or fire up Audio Midi Setup and see if you can get it switched over that way. Dunno about your reciever. You may have to switch it over to digital on that input. I'll turn it over to someone more capable than me at the moment. Gotta go
John B

Similar Messages

Using built in optical digital audio output for 5.1

So, lets say i want to mix something in 5.1 using logic or soundtrack pro, can i use the optical digital audio output of my macbook to send the signal to a home theather or something to mix it?, or i need a special hardware card for this?
Thanks a lot!!

Hi alece,
Just to clarify something;
When using an optical cable there are several standards of audio that can pass through the cable:
S/PDIF - a stereo signal - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spdif
AC3 or Dolby Digital - up to 5.1 surround - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ac3
Dolby Digital Plus - up to 7.1 surround - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DolbyDigitalPlus
ADAT Optical - up to 8 channels of audio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADAT_Lightpipe
MADI - up to 64 channels of audio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MADI
I´m sure other people can add more to the list if they want to, my point is that these signals can pass through the exact same kind of optical cable.
The important bit to know is what does your equipment and software support... in theory your question is quite logical, a software can play 5.1 surround to a optical output like Apple DVD Player does with the built-in sound card of a modern mac. However, Logic does not support live encoding of AC3. That is why you have to output the surround mix in Logic to a sound card with at least 6 channels (5+1 as in 5.1) connected to your speaker system. Typically this would be 5 active studio monitors plus a sub. If you were thinking to use an existing stereo I would not recommend it since most consumer speakers have no limiters to protect them from damage (but may be possible depending on your amplifiers inputs)
I hope this answered your question
Cheers Espen
http://www.midiamore.com.au/

Optical digital audio output for mac book?

Hello, I am wondering if MacBook pro Retina version has the Optical digital audio output or thunderbolt adapter? so i can use optical cable to do output for my music.

Hi alece,
Just to clarify something;
When using an optical cable there are several standards of audio that can pass through the cable:
S/PDIF - a stereo signal - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spdif
AC3 or Dolby Digital - up to 5.1 surround - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ac3
Dolby Digital Plus - up to 7.1 surround - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DolbyDigitalPlus
ADAT Optical - up to 8 channels of audio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADAT_Lightpipe
MADI - up to 64 channels of audio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MADI
I´m sure other people can add more to the list if they want to, my point is that these signals can pass through the exact same kind of optical cable.
The important bit to know is what does your equipment and software support... in theory your question is quite logical, a software can play 5.1 surround to a optical output like Apple DVD Player does with the built-in sound card of a modern mac. However, Logic does not support live encoding of AC3. That is why you have to output the surround mix in Logic to a sound card with at least 6 channels (5+1 as in 5.1) connected to your speaker system. Typically this would be 5 active studio monitors plus a sub. If you were thinking to use an existing stereo I would not recommend it since most consumer speakers have no limiters to protect them from damage (but may be possible depending on your amplifiers inputs)
I hope this answered your question
Cheers Espen
http://www.midiamore.com.au/

Optical digital audio output (minijack)?

I am confused on the whole optical digital output thing since it is sharing the same port with analog. Can someone point me to some good digital speakers with the whole optical digital audio output (minijack)thing

See this user tip:
http://discussions.apple.com/click.jspa?searchID=-1&messageID=2458613

Optical digital audio output/headphone out

Does anyone know if there is a way to connect stereo speakers directly (not through a receiver/amp)to the Optical digital audio output/headphone out on a imac? The new 20 inch imacs have a 24watt internal amp which would be plenty for the speakers that I want it to drive. Thanks

is there an attachment that i have to buy? do i just rip the tip of the cord off?
Yep, there are two "standard" optical-digital-audio connectors -- the original "square" one is still used in most larger audio/video components. The newer/smaller one, used mainly in portable gear, is exactly the same size as a mini headphone plug. Radio Shack carries adapters/converters and cables of both types (usually at outrageously high prices). For online vendors, try:
http://monoprice.com (search for "TOSLINK")
Great prices and a good rep for quality/service among to the HDTV-fanatics on avsforum.com.
Looby

Combined optical digital audio output/analog line out

Combined optical digital audio output/analog line out minijack on the new Mac Pro support 5.1?

Are you asking if it has that?
http://www.apple.com/mac-pro/specs/
says:
Combined optical digital audio output/analog line out minijack
Which means it does.
On all but the earlier Mac Pro models, this has been standard since the iMac G5.
Mac Pros earlier used SPDIF.
These are now mini-Toslink.

Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out

What is the "combined optical digital audio output/headphone out"? This is what the output is called that has the earphone picture beside it on my MacBook. I thought this meant that it could take the mini jack out that splits into a/v - yellow, white, red, and plug it into any tv or monitor that has those inputs. I tried it just now, but a no go.
If the only way to get video is through the mini DVI output what does the "Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out" mean? If I can get video out of it, how can I do it?
Thanks!

Hi Trevor Deck: As you have discovered this does not output as a video signal. That jack is strictly for audio. The "optical" portion of it is used to output using a "Toslink" cable to provide "optical audio" to an external amplifier. The DVI port needs to be used to get a video signal to your TV. But be warned if you use the red, white, & yellow method of hooking up the video signal you will probably be disappointed. If your TV has a HDMI or PC input it would be much better. You would then have to get the proper DVI to whatever type adapter.
Good Luck
Stedman
MBP 1.83, 1.5gB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.9) Quiet, Cool, Re-furbished, iPod mini, iPod shuffle

HT2844 iMac 27"(late 2009), Audio in/Optical digital audio out port, stopped recognizing my new Bose speaker system, previously working...

Hello,
My iMac 27"(late 2009), Audio in/Optical digital audio out port, stopped recognizing my new Bose speaker system, previously working through that port. I tested the speaker system through my iPhone, and it works fine. I hooked it up to the Headphone out/Optical digital audio in port, and it works through that port also. I did a computer restart, I also checked all wiring and did a system repair on the computer. I also restarted the computer in mode where I could use the system utility, and the computer still did not correct the matter, and it reported everything as being "ok". I wented into "sound", through system preferences, and the computer does not recognize anything I plug into the Audio in/Optical digital audio out port. When I plug the speaker sysytem into the headphone out/optical digital audio out port, it does recognize the Bose speaker system as being "headphones".
Reading through a lot of forums, I hear everything from compatibility, to the port being stuck, and on and on. Since the port was working before, and just quit working one day, I wonder if there is a capacitor or fuse or some type of similar thing is blown, and causing the port to be unfunctionable. Maybe the port went bad, but before this time, I had never used it, and the computer does not move around, and I never plug in and pull wiring out unless needing to, and that being rare.
Here is a link to Costco, where I bought the system, and the exact system I have, if this is any help: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku= A4092931&ST=pla&dgc=ST&cid=262075&lid=4742361&acd=1230980794501410
By the way, I am running OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5). I upgraded to Mavericks about a month ago, and expeirienced a number of issues, and had to take my iMac into Apple. Talking with the tech, I decided to wait for a while more before I upgraded to Mavericks. I try and keep the computer maintained.
If any of you have any ideas regadrding wear and tear, and fix I can do, etc., besides having to take my computer into Apple? Thank you, and potentially all of you, for your time and effort in helping me with this issue. Thank you kindly.
davE

Okay, davE, first, you have posted in the "Mac Pro" forum (not Macbook Pro), so we can't be super helpful
but we help you. First, hold down the Option key while clicking on the speaker icon at the top of your screen. This should show you all the inputs and outputs you have. you could check in "About this Mac" then "More info" to see whatever's recognized. Then, maybe, fire up Audio MIDI. your speaker system should show up there. something might have gotten set incorrectly. You can test it there. I guess you are using the good ol' analog cable for connection, and it works on your iPhone, so the cable isn't bad. You could try this. it 's an adapter which might solve your problem
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HBWYQ6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
depending on which model of Bose speaker you have, you might try doing a product reset
turn off speakers...unplug power cord from outlet...wait 1 minute..plug cord into outlet..turn on speakers..
\\turning off automatic standby||
press and hold top of control pod for 6 seconds until you hear 2 tones that go from high to low
other than that ,I don't know
John B

Optical digital audio out port

Here is the situation:
The only problem I have with my Mac Pro is that the Audio line-out port does not work reliably in Boot Camp. The audio output cuts out easily and then I have to "jiggle" the speaker cable to get the sound back. And I have determined that it is the audio line-out port that is at fault, not the speakers, nor the cable.
So I want to try to work around this by utilizing the optical digital audio out port.
But I don't understand how it works.
Does this port connect directly to appropriate digital speakers?
If so can someone recommend a decent set of digital speakers that will connect directly.
Or does the optical digital audio port connect to an amplifier or receiver and them to speakers?
Thanks

have you tried other speakers or headphones and what version bootcamp drivers are you using?
Moses Kravitz wrote:
Does this port connect directly to appropriate digital speakers?
If so can someone recommend a decent set of digital speakers that will connect directly.
Or does the optical digital audio port connect to an amplifier or receiver and them to speakers?
With the suggestions i have below the set-up is like this:
Subwoofer - Connects to 2 (Stereo or technically 2.1) or 5 (5.1) speakers
The subwoofer connects to a control pod (which has the optical inputs, coax inputs, and analog inputs - atleast all 3 are on the z5500)
Digital/Optical Audio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK
Suggested Speakers; I Personally have 2 pairs of the Z-5500 set, true high quality audio and variety of settings for whatever you use them for, i have been so pleased by them and their warranty service is by far the best ever, anything ever happens to them, theyll send you a replacement set, logitech/apple great customer service, i also posted a few other priced ones if youre not looking for a huge set up:
The company site & Speakers: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakersaudio/home_pcspeakers/&cl=us,en
Compares a few models:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/comparison/ref=pdcp_ecmp/104-4843690-8241552?ie=UTF8&ASIN.1=B0002WPSBC&ASIN.2=B0002SQ0AE&ASIN.4=B0002 SQ2P2&ASIN.3=B0002SQ0A4&bf=0
and some others in that same field:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/B00007AKDP/2/ref=pdcp_esexpl/104-4843690-8241552
And you're going to need a TOSLINK cable to go from the audio port to the back of the control pods; found a nice cheap one
http://amazon.com/s/ref=srkk3/104-4843690-8241552?ie=UTF8&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=toslink%20cable
hope that helps!!
Message was edited by: AppleNewton

Audio In/Optical Digital Audio In

I have a pair of JBL Duet computer speakers connected to the Headphone Out port of my Mac mini. They work fine.
QUESTION: Is it possible to play a 5-disc carousel CD player (Sony/JVC/Sherwood) through the Mac mini & those speakers WITHOUT first going through an amplifier?
On the CD players, I see three (3) possibilities using an adapter cable into the mini's Audio In/Optical Digital Audio In port:
1. Headphone Jack w/Volume Control > Could an analog cable be used to go from the CD player's front 1/4" headphone jack to a 3.5mm stereo mini-phono jack into the mini? Would a CD player's front panel headphone jack provide sufficient volume, or just enough for headphones?
2. Analog > Use the CD player's rear L/R analog out (RCA-type) into the mini's 3.5mm stereo mini-phono jack. Would there be sufficient volume without an amplifier?
3. Digital > Use the CD player's rear Digital Audio (Optical) Out to the mini's Optical Digital Audio In. Would there be sufficient volume without an amplifier?
Any advice/recommendation with specific info on appropriate adapter cable would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Mac mini Intel Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Thanks, good thought.
I believe this variation will work also: I see your idea requires Quicktime Pro for that new recording (monitoring) function. I only have Quicktime Player (no recording), but I do have Toast 8's CD Spin Doctor, which will provide the same monitor/output function (select "Play Input through Speakers" and slide speaker icon to the right).
Other readers-- If any other cable connections work, please add to the discussion. Thanks.

CD player Toslink optical out to optical digital audio in port. Need help

Hello,
I'm taking the Toslink Optical out of my Sony 707esD CD player into the Audio in/optical digital audio in port of my March 2009 iMac.
In System preferences>Sound>Input>Digital in Optical digital-in port I see a signal occurring on the input level meter but I do not hear audio.
Output is headphones port and is working fine from other sources.
I see a signal input does anyone know how to hear the output.
Thanks.

You need the free LineIn app from Rogue Amoeba.
http://www.rogueamoeba.com/freebies/
Dah•veed

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.

TS5150 Does the optical digital audio port send out a Dolby Digital signal

Does the optical digital audio port send out a Dolby Digital signal

Yes if the media has such an audio track available it can do so.
There is a setting for audio and video allowing DD output to be set for Auto (on/off if connected HDMI device can decode DD), On or Off.
AC

Optical digital audio input port on MacBook Pro

I believe that the optical digital audio inputs on the latest MacBook Pros are defective. I am not sure if the problem is with the hardware or the software.
I use two analog-to-digital converters in my recording studio: the Grace Design Lunatec V3, and the Mytek Stereo96 ADC. Both produce a SPDIF stereo signal with a Toslink output port. I use a Toslink cable with the required 3.5mm adapter.
Both of these converters work perfectly with my 24" iMac. In mid-December of 2009, I got a 15" MacBook Pro. There was difficulty getting the MacBook Pro to recognize a signal from either converter, and when the signal was recognized, the recordings were crackly, pitch-shifted, off-speed, and sometimes parts of the recording would get repeated. All of the settings were adjusted, including the bit-rate and sampling frequency, as well as the Audio Resolution (in both Garage Band and Twisted Wave).
I took the MacBook Pro to the Apple Store, and was very pleased with the service there. My MacBook Pro was replaced with a new one. However, when I brought the new MacBook Pro into my studio, there were the same problems.
At the encouragement of a technician at Apple Care, last weekend I brought one of my converters (the Lunatec V3) to the local Apple Store and made recordings on a number of their machines. The results:
Perfect recordings on the 27" iMac and the Mac Pro. This is in addition to my own 24" iMac.
The same problems - dropped connection, crackly noise, shifts in pitch, and repeated phrases - in two 17" MacBook Pros and one 15" MacBook Pro. This is in addition to the two 15" MacBook Pros that I have tried at home.
I have a case number with Apple Care, but haven't heard back from anyone in a week. I am thinking of just returning the MacBook Pro, but it is a very nice machine in every other way.
Is this an acknowledged problem at Apple, and can a fix be expected?
Thanks,
Mike

What a great job! I've been enjoying making very amateur "audiobooks" for a young grand-daughter recently (simply using a USB mike plugged into one of the MBPs) and emailing her mother the results. Its a great way of remembering old childhood favourites and inflicting them on (whoops, I mean 'enhancing the education of" ) the next generation. Very amateur, but she really enjoys them, I gather. Doing it for real must actually be quite a buzz.
A couple more passing thoughts on the original topic. I guess you will have worked through such things, but does it make any difference whether the MBP is running from power or from battery? The "power in" section of the MBP is located pretty close to the optical port circuitry and might contribute to interference, I guess.
Another possibility might even relate to the proximity of the Mac power adaptor or the computer itself to the other equipment. Have you tried hooking it up to different power outlets, increasing distance between the power block or the computer and the other gear, introducing some shielding, etc etc.
Finally, there can be an issue in which residual current occurs on the body of the MBP itself when it is hooked up using the "duckhead" unearthed powerplug rather than the three prong earthed power lead. I would imagine this, too, could interfere with sensitive gear. (just thoughts from an old audio buff).
Cheers
Rod

Optical digital audio out so good you don't need external audio card?

IS the optical digital audio out of the MBP so good you don't need an external audio card?
I was looking into buying the MAUDIO mobilepre to connect my soon to be received MBP to the speakers, but the Apple rep told me the new optical digital connection is good enough that i can bypass an interface card. Is this true?
For reference I am planning to buy the EDIROL DM20 as monitors to edit audio in FCP 5.
Thnak you for your feedback
optimist2
Imac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.2)
Imac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

I'm an audiophile as well. I wouldn't use the MBP headphone out to drive a serious audio system, so I don't disagree with your use of a good external DAC. But the poster wants to drive speakers that take digital input. So the question is about the digital output, not the DACs. Given the equipment he proposes to attach, I doubt there's any justification for using an external device to generate the digital out.

Optical Digital audio - No output control

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for