Sound output option is missing in preferences

I'm probably doing something stupid, but iChat works fine for "chatting" but when I want to talk it doesn't work. In the video tab of the iChat preferences the option "sound output" is missing, while I can select the internal microphone of my MacBook Pro... iTunes plays perfectly though the internal speaker though!
any ideas?
Wim

Hi,
I am not sure what you are asking ?
If you only have internal speakers iChat will select them.
In Actually System preferences > Sound > Output tab selects them as the only option.
iChat only shows a Drop down for Sound output if you actually have a choice.
11:31 PM Friday; August 17, 2007

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In Mac OS X, all variants I've tried, I have perfectly normal sound. In Classic mode too, sound works (but I can't use the Sound CDEV obviously).
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Cheers, A.

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The choice of headphone jack is not showing up under the system preferences - sound output options. Therefor, my speakers suddenly do not work with my iMac

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Applications > Utilities > AudioMIDI Setup.app
Audio Devices window
Side Bar
Click the Built-in Output.
Under Mute any of the boxes checked? If so uncheck it.
Plug in the headphone and check whether in the output headphone shows up in the same panel.
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Reset SMC and PRAM.
     Reset PRAM. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
     Reset SMC.     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
     Choose the appropriate method.
Best.

I can get no sound out of my computer and the only sound output option I see is for headphones. Is that righ or is there something wong?

When I go to Settings and Sound the only Output option for me to select is Headphones. I'm pretty sure there should be other options. Problem? Ideas?

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How do I restore a missing sound output device in the System Preferences. My MacBook Pro only shows a Digital output in the Sound pane and a red light at the Digital Output Port.

If your model has an audio-out (headphone) port, and a red light is coming from it, the internal switch is stuck in the position for digital output. You may be able to free it by inserting and removing a mini-stereo jack of the proper size. Inserting any kind of tool in the port may cause damage that won't be covered by your warranty.

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Hello all,
I'm trying to create a DLL that reads incoming sound data through my DAQ board and translates it for my sound card. Unfortunately, when I run the control program (LabWindows), I get error messages saying that the LabVIEW Sound Output VIs are missing. Do I need to add another library to my LabWindows project, and if so, which one? If not, why isn't LabWindows (or the LabVIEW runtime engine, if applicable) finding the VIs in my DLL project library?
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Slowpoke
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They don't call me "Slowpoke" for nothin'!

Hi Michael,
Sorry for the confusion! Guess they don't call me Slowpoke for nothing...anyway, let me see if I can clarify matters.
The problem is not with the control program, per se. The problem only manifests itself when I call my DLL (created in LabVIEW) from the LabWindows control program. When I call the DLL from a LabVIEW control program, the DLL works perfectly. When I call the DLL from the LabWindows control program, the front panel of the called VI has a broken "run" arrow. When I click on the broken arrow, I get the LabVIEW error message popup. The LabWindows control program itself flags no errors.
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Sound output: Headphones option disappeared?

I have been using Logitech speakers plugged into the headphone jack of my iMac ever since I bought the thing. Now they are useless. The headphone option doesn't even appear in the sound output options. How can this be fixed? How can this happen?

Update on this: The Logitech speakers work fine on my PC. The Mac doesn't see them. Nothing wrong with the Mac's headphone jack -- plug in headphones, they work fine. Probably another glitch caused by a Mac OS X update.

Digital sound output only after using Headphones

i used my MacbookPro 17 2.66
with headphones to listen to music and after i removed headphones there is a red light in the headphone port and only digital sound output option in system preferences control panel
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Generally that means your headphones' plug is not exactly to dimensional stands and has jammed the internal connector in the jack to the "mute" position. The plug's tip-to-shoulder distance seems to be the variable.
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If you use anything other than a standard plug to manipulate the jack, be certain it's non-conductive. BTW, if you use the "Search Discussion" option in the upper right of this page and search for "red light" (use the quotes) you will see a number of threads here on the subject.

Selecting sound output on new alu iMac

I realise there have been quite a few posts about similar topics in Apple Discussions, but I would be really grateful if somebody could answer this one. I am using Tiger 10.4.11 (i'm waiting for software updates for Leopard to be released before installing it).
My question is, why haven't I got the option to switch sound to my iMac's internal speakers while still having my headphones plugged in?
When I go to System Preferences > Sound, the only sound output options I have are 'Headphones', and the Bluetooth headset that I use for iChat. It seems logical to me that I should have the choice to switch between internal speakers and headphones.
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I have a newer alu iMac, 24" and I have SoundSticks connected (external speakers). My options for Sound in SysPrefs are the SoundSticks or internal speakers. I have the option to select either one, even while the external speakers are in use.
I would think that you should have similar options, but maybe the Headphone option cancels the internal speakers similarly to how cell phones work when an earpiece device is connected. You don't hear sounds coming from the phone until you disconnect the earpiece.

No sound output in Messages

I'm running 10.8.2 on a MBP 2.66 ghz Intel Core 2 Duo.
When I go into the Messages preferences, the Sound output option is greyed out, similar to the Camera.
Microphone is working fine but I can't hear anything from the other side.
If I plug in some headphones, Sound output option changes to Headphones but remains greyed out and sound still doesn't work.
I've already tried resetting the PRAM with the Option-P-R trick but that hasn't helped.
Thanks in advance for helping to fix this.

HI,
Sound in Messages needs the Output device set in System Preference > Sound > Output in the first place.
This should then show up in the Messages Menu > Preference > Video Section in the output drop down (If there is only one choice in System Preferences then it will not be a drop down but just the greyed out name of the Output.
PRAM is OPT+CMD+P+R not just Option and the letters.
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If you do this during a Chat then the incoming Video and Audio feeds are represented by two green bars.
Having a green bar fro audio doe snot actually mean anything is being sent from the other end.
But a lack of a green bar does mean they are not sending anything.
Get them to Check:-
They has set the mic and Volume in System Preferences > Sound > Input.
The volume needs to move the blue response bar at least halfway but not bang into the right hand end.
The Same mic or input device needs to be selected in Messages > Preferences> Video Section > Microphone Drop down.
It also needs to be "On" and ticked in Messages > Video menu > "Audio chat Enabled".
(IF they are using iChat then same Menu > "Microphone Enabled")
You can test to a certain point with several computers that Apple tend to keep on line as text accounts (they Auto answer with no human interaction)
Add appleu3test01 or appleu3test02 or appleu3test03 as Buddies to your AIM list.
Normally at least two are on line but as I type this is seems none of them are.
They tend to be playing Apple Adverts and the like.
8:53 PM Monday; January 28, 2013
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
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"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Assigning an application to different sound outputs

Question: Is there a way to assign an application to use a sound output options in the mixer or another Win7 application?
I have installed Win7 RC 32bit. I have headphones and speaker outputs on my system. Both are detected and both can be assigned to a working default sound choice. I am unable to assign an applications sound output to a certain outputs or change them.
The only way I can make a sound application work through the speakers if the headset is assigned the default role is to go into sound management, then assign the speakers to default and then restart my application.
Desired: I would like an application profile to default to the assigned role from the mixer. The settings could be permanent or temporary. If the 1st choice is not available, use the alternate working or (default). The sound should dynamically change or at the very least keep that profile with that application until changed.
In the mixer, I should be able to rt click on the application in the mixer and manually assign it to a sound device. This option should be assigned to a default target to play ONLY if the desired is not available. Possible options can be, just one time, or have this device handle sound if available.
Hardware: Asus Rampage 2: Gene motherboard, 6GB Ram, GTX 275 graphics, Seagate 1.5TB. Drivers auto discovered on install and appear to be functional.

Hi TKCDAC,
As you may noticed, great improvements have been made in Windows 7. Applications can realize Stream Routing via the new Core Audio APIs. Windows 7 has the ability to distinguish between communication devices and all other audio devices. It is now possible to have both a Default Communications Device that is separate from the Default Audio Device. The Default Communication Devices will be used for PC based communication like web chat or VOIP, and the Default Audio Device will be used for everything else. Stream switching enabled dynamic stream switching based on the default device. If the default audio device is disabled or unplugged, Windows automatically tries to determine the next default audio device and will dynamically redirect the audio to that new device.
For instance, if you would like to play the audio via headphone when using communication applications such as Windows Live Messenger, we can simply right click the volume icon in the system tray, click Playback Devices, right click the headphone listed and then choose Set as default Communications Device.
For more information, please refer to the following articles:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd756612(VS.85).aspx
http://louisgale.blogspot.com/2009/08/live-messenger-and-default.html
Also, based on my test, certain application such as Windows Media Player has a sound output option. To change the settings, please open Windows Media Player, click Tools, Options, click Devices tab, double click Speakers in the Devices list, pull down the Select the audio device and then choose the device you would like to play the music from Windows Media Player, click OK. We may play another song in the play list to take effect.
In the meantime, I will forward your suggestions to our Product Group. Please be assured that any improvements in the product are based on users' requirements.
Thanks,
Linda

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Any ideas why it shuts down the rear speakers?
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There is a switch in the jack that may be stuck. Try plugging and unplugging a headset plug into the socket a few times.
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I upgraded from Mavericks to Yosemite and while I don't have any of the number of issues that see to accompany that move, I've discovered a different one that is not necessarily related to it, but is irritating.
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I found the com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist and Com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist, but can't make sense of either enough to feel confident in altering any entries there. here's the SystemSettings one that seems like it might have something you could change, but...

Sound output option is missing in preferences

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