iMac G5 Surround Sound???

[EricNau]

On the Apple website, for the iMac G5, it says you can use 5.1 surround sound , but I don't understand how, when all I have is a headphone Jack. I've tried researching through Apple and Wikipedia but still can't figure it out. Can anyone out there explain to me how I could hook up 5.1 Surround Sound to my iMac G5. And would I have to get a special set from Apple, or could I just go to Bestbuy and pick up any old, cheap set?
Thanks

Apple.com
Starting with the new headphone jack that’s also a mini-optical plug. So you can watch DVDs and listen to them in 5.1 surround sound.

http://www.apple.com/imac/

 

[zakatov]

Optical out -> receiver/decoder/amp (something like these) -> speakers (as many as receiver can power)

 

[EricNau]

Originally Posted by zakatov
Optical out -> receiver/decoder/amp (something like these) -> 5.1 speakers

Are there any speakers that have that built in? Because buying one of those for $500 isn't really practicle, just to listen to surround sound.

Also, because there is one one Jack, would it really be true surround sound, or would it just be a lot of speakers all playing the exact same?

 

[zakatov]

Are there any speakers that have that built in? Because buying one of those for $500 isn't really practicle, just to listen to surround sound.

Well, what I described was a basic schematic. You can either get reciever and speakers separately (home theater setup) or buy computer speakers with a digital decoder build in (like these or these). Most are not cheap.

Also, because there is one one Jack, would it really be true surround sound, or would it just be a lot of speakers all playing the exact same?

The output is digital, which means it's just a datastream that can be decoded into however many channels the original recording was encoded in.

 

[EricNau]

Thanks!

 

[p0intblank]

Thanks!

You can get the 5500 set zakatov suggested on New Egg for SO much cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121120

That's the set I am probably going with for my soon-to-be-had Power Mac.

 

[w_parietti22]

Optical out -> receiver/decoder/amp (something like these) -> speakers (as many as receiver can power)

does the iMac have optical audio out? I can't remember.

 

[EricNau]

Originally posted by w_parietti22
does the iMac have optical audio out? I can't remember.

Apparently it's built into the headphone jack using TOS-link

 

[w_parietti22]

Apparently it's built into the headphone jack using TOS-link

Thats good to know. Very cool. Thanks.

 

[Laser47]

Remember to get one of these if you get those speakers(the top one plugs into the headphone jack on the imac)

 

[Counterfit]

Belkin equivalent at Apple online store

 

[Phatpat]

I've also looked into this. What kinda cable would I need/what do I tell them at Radioshack when I go looking?

 

[Counterfit]

I think you want mini-TOSLink to TOSLink. Just look for the optical cable that has a mini-stereo-ish plug on the end.

 

[HydroMan]

[edit]Rubbish post by me and I've only just set up my Logitech Z5500

 

[rainman::|:|]

Uhh... I thought the top port was for mic-in... the audio-out jack lights up briefly whenever something's inserted in it, I'm reasonably certain at least on my rev A iMac G5 it's the audio-out jack that's also optical.

edit: yah, the text below the headphone symbol is "optical out", it's the same port. If the top one isn't for line in, I don't know what it is. Too lazy to get manual. This is the reason audio lags when you plug/unplug headphones, the hardware has to decide whether it's analog or TOS. Annoying as hell I may add.

 

[HydroMan]

Uhh... I thought the top port was for mic-in... the audio-out jack lights up briefly whenever something's inserted in it, I'm reasonably certain at least on my rev A iMac G5 it's the audio-out jack that's also optical.

edit: yah, the text below the headphone symbol is "optical out", it's the same port. If the top one isn't for line in, I don't know what it is. Too lazy to get manual. This is the reason audio lags when you plug/unplug headphones, the hardware has to decide whether it's analog or TOS. Annoying as hell I may add.

Yes I FUBARed maybe I should get some sleep as it's late over here, sorry to anyone confused by my post.

 

[MacinTodd]

Optical out on the iMac

Hey guys,
The optical out port is the same as the headphone port. The top port on the iMac is for a powered mic input.

The headphone port is both analog/and digital, just like the airport express, so if you were to look at it while in use, there would be a red light coming from it. That's the optical signal. The mini Toslink connector should come with all optical cables. Otherwise, you can just buy the adapter tips for a few bucks if you already have an optical cable you wanted to use.

Hope this helps.

Again, the iMac DOES have optical output. It's just using the same port as the analog/headphone jack.