Optical Audio Input for Macbook Pro

[A4orce84]

Hey Guys,

I was curious if anyone could point me in the right direction. I have a stereo receiver with an optical output that I want to connect to my Macbook Pro. That way, I can utilize my superior sound system with my Macbook when listening to music.

Currently the receiver is currently hooked up to a tv, so I'm assuming I need something along the following parts:

A. Optical "Splitter" jack (So I can leave one cord to the TV at all times).
B. An additional optical to optical cable (this one to be dedicated to the
macbook).
C. Some type of 3.5 audio jack adapter

If anyone could point me in the right direction in terms of what to buy and from where, I would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,

--Asif

 

[therealseebs]

Wait, do you want to get optical audio FROM the macbook TO the stereo, or the other way around? Because you're talking about an optical OUTPUT on the stereo -- but that would get it TO the macbook. And I don't care how awesome Apple is, the MBP's speakers are not better than anyone's home theatre system.

Next question: Do you actually care whether it's optical, or do you just mean that you want to move the sound? If all you want to do is move the sound, standard stereo cables are plenty good enough for listening to the output of a computer, in general. If you really specifically want optical...

I am told that there may exist thunderbolt to expresscard adapters, or you might have an older machine with expresscard, which could probably get you optical. Or you could get a USB or FireWire audio interface with optical. These could be done for either direction you want audio to move in.

Basically, if you really want optical, talk to music geeks, not Mac geeks, because the music geeks will know what you're talking about and be able to give much better advice, and enough of them use Macs to give mac advice. Most Mac users wouldn't know an audio I/O question if it bit them.

 

[A4orce84]

Hey so let me answer your questions real quick:

1. I want to output my Macbook's audio on the home theater. So if I play some music from iTunes I want it to OUTPUT on to my home theater system.

2. My home theater system uses optical connections. I currently have an optical to optical cord to connect the home theater to my TV and it works just fine.

That's why I assumed I need some kind of converter plug to convert the optical to the standard 3.5 audio jack since Macbook's do NOT have an optical port to connect to.

If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know! =)

Thanks,

--Asif

 

[rex.]

I suggest considering an Apple TV.

 

[jshbckr]

In your original post, you have your input/output switched around. Following the signal, you want the signal to come OUT of your MacBook (output) and IN to your home theatre system (input). Signal going into your home theatre's input will play out of its speakers.

That said, I believe the MacBook Pro's headphone jack is also an optical output but you need the 3.5mm-styled plug (not a standard, metal 3.5mm plug--it looks like one, but actual has fiber optic cable running through it) on one end and standard optical Toslink on the other. Like this:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=1022902&p_id=1558&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

That's the cheapest solution.

The most elegant would be to use an Apple TV and play the music from iTunes using AirPlay. The Apple TV has an optical jack, so you'd just run a standard Toslink to Toslink cable (like this: http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1419&seq=1&format=2) from the Apple TV to your home theater system's input.

Hope that helped!

 

[JohnGrey]

Hey Guys,

I was curious if anyone could point me in the right direction. I have a stereo receiver with an optical output that I want to connect to my Macbook Pro. That way, I can utilize my superior sound system with my Macbook when listening to music.

Currently the receiver is currently hooked up to a tv, so I'm assuming I need something along the following parts:

A. Optical "Splitter" jack (So I can leave one cord to the TV at all times).
B. An additional optical to optical cable (this one to be dedicated to the
macbook).
C. Some type of 3.5 audio jack adapter

If anyone could point me in the right direction in terms of what to buy and from where, I would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,

--Asif

Your best bet would be an HDMI to DVI converter that has an a TOSLINK out. Thunderbolt adapters are still pretty rare and I doubt they've made something that specialized yet.