How to connect new iMac to receiver digitally with 5.1

[raymond lin]

How would you guys do the following:

1 - output the iMac to my TV via receiver
2 - play music externally through receiver

Would prefer digitally is possible, what cables do I need?

[Damian83]

Originally Posted by raymond lin

How would you guys do the following:

1 - output the iMac to my TV via receiver
2 - play music externally through receiver

Would prefer digitally is possible, what cables do I need?

hdmi

[raymond lin]

Originally Posted by Damian83

hdmi

The iMac doesn't have HDMI socket, I guess I will need an adaptor lead.

And also, how do I play iTunes music with HDMI?

Or have sound coming out of the external HiFi receiver when watching the news online?

I would like as few cables or adaptors as possible. I would use airplay to play music from iTunes as the amp has AirPlay but I can't use airplay when I am watching something on Lovefilm or Netflix or the news.

[Limecraft]

You could use Toslink optical cables from the iMac with a 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, because the port is both analog and optical. You would then only output sound, so you could additionally use HDMI for video.

[Damian83]

Originally Posted by raymond lin

The iMac doesn't have HDMI socket, I guess I will need an adaptor lead.

And also, how do I play iTunes music with HDMI?

Or have sound coming out of the external HiFi receiver when watching the news online?

I would like as few cables or adaptors as possible. I would use airplay to play music from iTunes as the amp has AirPlay but I can't use airplay when I am watching something on Lovefilm or Netflix or the news.

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Mini-DisplayP...ht_2533wt_1189

[raymond lin]

Originally Posted by Limecraft

You could use Toslink optical cables from the iMac with a 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, because the port is both analog and optical. You would then only output sound, so you could additionally use HDMI for video.

Looks like I will need 2 leads coming out of the machine. So much for all the wireless stuff lol

[jmcgeejr]

Originally Posted by raymond lin

Which HDMI adaptor lead do I need?

You need the thunderbolt to hdmi adapter.

[mmomega]

Originally Posted by raymond lin

Looks like I will need 2 leads coming out of the machine. So much for all the wireless stuff lol

In your original post you asked which cables to use isn't that the opposite of wireless?

Apple TV support:
Audio Formats
HE-AAC (V1), AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound pass-through

[steve119]

As said, Apple tv and an airport express will sort all of your problems out.

[raymond lin]

Originally Posted by mmomega

In your original post you asked which cables to use isn't that the opposite of wireless?

Apple TV support:
Audio Formats
HE-AAC (V1), AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound pass-through

Lol noooo, I mean for all of Apple's philosophy of going wireless I still end up with cables everywhere. Unavoidable.

----------

Originally Posted by steve119

As said, Apple tv will sort all of your problems out.

I have one, plus my amp does AirPlay, and I have apple express too but watching the news online, or YouTube, it doesn't output to Apple TV purely sound only.

Basically want sound coming out of the receiver all the time, even little beep and clicks.

[mmomega]

Originally Posted by raymond lin

Lol noooo, I mean for all of Apple's philosophy of going wireless I still end up with cables everywhere. Unavoidable.

----------



I have one, plus my amp does AirPlay, and I have apple express too but watching the news online, or YouTube, it doesn't output to Apple TV purely sound only.

Basically want sound coming out of the receiver all the time, even little beep and clicks.

You may want to check out Airfoil, this will let you play any and all of your iMacs audio out to Airplay. I use it for Sirius Sat radio and sometimes youtube videos over my AV Receiver.

[steve119]

Originally Posted by mmomega

You may want to check out Airfoil, this will let you play any and all of your iMacs audio out to Airplay. I use it for Sirius Sat radio and sometimes youtube videos over my AV Receiver.

I think I may buy this, cheers.

[spacepower7]

Originally Posted by raymond lin

How would you guys do the following:

1 - output the iMac to my TV via receiver
2 - play music externally through receiver

Would prefer digitally is possible, what cables do I need?

If you just want 5.1 digital sound out, you just need an optical cable attached to the headphone jack ( which is both analog and digital optical. )

I'm not sure Airfoil or any other app can send 5.1 sound wirelessly.

Are you trying to do this for movies or music?

[raymond lin]

Originally Posted by spacepower7

If you just want 5.1 digital sound out, you just need an optical cable attached to the headphone jack ( which is both analog and digital optical. )

I'm not sure Airfoil or any other app can send 5.1 sound wirelessly.

Are you trying to do this for movies or music?

Everything.

[spacepower7]

Originally Posted by raymond lin

Everything.

Most of the work will be done by the receiver then.

Most receivers can turn any 2 channel audio into pseudo 5.1 surround. Is that what you are looking for? If so, it doesn't matter if it is analog or digital, wired or wireless.

If you want "true" 5.1 audio, you have to have a file that contains real 5.1 audio, which usually means a video file with Dolby Digital or DTS audio. With the exception of some Audio-DVDs.

If you want the pseudo 5.1 from 2 channel audio (which still sounds good), your receiver should do it fine.

[raymond lin]

Originally Posted by spacepower7

Most of the work will be done by the receiver then.

Most receivers can turn any 2 channel audio into pseudo 5.1 surround. Is that what you are looking for? If so, it doesn't matter if it is analog or digital, wired or wireless.

If you want "true" 5.1 audio, you have to have a file that contains real 5.1 audio, which usually means a video file with Dolby Digital or DTS audio. With the exception of some Audio-DVDs.

If you want the pseudo 5.1 from 2 channel audio (which still sounds good), your receiver should do it fine.

Thank, I don't need pseudo 5.1 but if I am playing 5.1 material I like it to be 5.1. So if I am playing YouTube, 2.0 is fine.

I also don't want delay or lag in the sound which I find airplay tends to do.

[Dan415]

You could get a receiver that has AirPlay built in. I have a pioneer receiver with it and it works great for wirelessly streaming music from my computer, iPad or iPhone to my 7.1 system. An Apple TV will also work the same way and additionally will let you stream video.

[raymond lin]

It does, but airplay only works when you send it through airplay. I can't for example send online news broadcast through it.

I have a pioneer with airplay built in FYI.

[Damian83]

Originally Posted by raymond lin

It does, but airplay only works when you send it through airplay. I can't for example send online news broadcast through it.

I have a pioneer with airplay built in FYI.

as i wrote before, hdmi, if u want video+audio in 1, otherwise, toslink. i suggest u hdmi so u can use PLEX to transform ur mac into a mediaplayer to watch 1080p mkv's, throwing your blu-ray player in the toilet