I'm not so sure about that Danny. It's not listed on the current iMac's specifications page, nor is it visible from the pictures I've seen of the available ports. I'd be very happy to be proven wrong.
All Macs have digital audio ins and outs. It is not a standard toslink connector, rather a mini toslink connector in which a standard minijack can also be inserted. you have to purchase a separate cable from some place like monoprice: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1571&seq=1&format=2 i have this exact cable for my Macbook Pro when I hook it up to my home theater setup
I see now. Thanks gents, took me a minute and a few clarifications for me to wrap my head around.
I still wonder, however, if this would be a cheaper alternative to hooking up an iMac to Stereo RCA or 6-channel direct Green-Black-Orange leads rather than purchasing a new optical receiver.
I've got a MBP and i've currently got the audio output through USB to my receiver. Would using a minitoslink cable be better than USB? My receiver is a JVC RX-D401S
having no experience using USB enabled recievers i can't say one way or another... but toslink cables are inexpensive online and i would assume the output would be a fraction of a second faster (and quite a bit more consistent) than USB, but as i said, I have no experience, i'd pick up the cable and give it a shot!
it sucks that this doesnt work with mac's. im still looking for a solution to connect my 5.1 surround sound kit to my macbook pro. is there any kind of optical convertor? that will convert the optical output from my mac, to the 3 audio inputs my surround sound kit uses?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
clockworkzen @ May 13th 2008 2:26AM
I'm really curious about whether or not this will work on an iMac.
Right now, lack of 5.1 is the only thing deterring me from picking one up to supplement my windows machine.
Danny @ May 13th 2008 2:45AM
Clockworkzen- all macs have optical outputs, so you can connect them to any receiver/ standalone DAC with digital optical inputs and surround decoding
Clockw0rk @ May 13th 2008 2:53AM
I'm not so sure about that Danny. It's not listed on the current iMac's specifications page, nor is it visible from the pictures I've seen of the available ports. I'd be very happy to be proven wrong.
broge @ May 13th 2008 3:06AM
All Macs have digital audio ins and outs. It is not a standard toslink connector, rather a mini toslink connector in which a standard minijack can also be inserted. you have to purchase a separate cable from some place like monoprice:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1571&seq=1&format=2
i have this exact cable for my Macbook Pro when I hook it up to my home theater setup
Colin Potter @ May 13th 2008 3:08AM
http://www.apple.com/imac/specs/
Audio
Built-in stereo speakers
Internal 24-watt digital amplifier
Headphone/optical digital audio output
I believe this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^is what you're looking for?
its the same jack as the headphone jack, standard optical cables just need a little end adapter, or buy the specific cable for not much more :)
Colin Potter @ May 13th 2008 3:11AM
dang, beat to the punch :(
Clockw0rk @ May 13th 2008 3:13AM
I see now. Thanks gents, took me a minute and a few clarifications for me to wrap my head around.
I still wonder, however, if this would be a cheaper alternative to hooking up an iMac to Stereo RCA or 6-channel direct Green-Black-Orange leads rather than purchasing a new optical receiver.
Colin Potter @ May 13th 2008 3:15AM
No optical on your reciever? This is blasphemy! This is madness!!
Clockw0rk @ May 13th 2008 3:16AM
It is logitech! Great speakers, but the lack of optical is a kicker.
Colin Potter @ May 13th 2008 3:17AM
I'm actually rocking the logitech Z-2300 system in the bedroom due to space limitations :)
Dan @ May 13th 2008 3:30AM
I've got a MBP and i've currently got the audio output through USB to my receiver. Would using a minitoslink cable be better than USB?
My receiver is a JVC RX-D401S
Colin Potter @ May 13th 2008 3:43AM
having no experience using USB enabled recievers i can't say one way or another... but toslink cables are inexpensive online and i would assume the output would be a fraction of a second faster (and quite a bit more consistent) than USB, but as i said, I have no experience, i'd pick up the cable and give it a shot!
adam @ May 13th 2008 6:03AM
it sucks that this doesnt work with mac's. im still looking for a solution to connect my 5.1 surround sound kit to my macbook pro. is there any kind of optical convertor? that will convert the optical output from my mac, to the 3 audio inputs my surround sound kit uses?