Optical out through headphone jack...

[NickM]

I recently learned that the headphone jack also serves as an optical out (with the proper adapter). This is very cool to know.

However, when I look into the port, I don't see the red light that is typical of optical ports...as some people claim to see.

Do I need to enable the optical port from somewhere in the OS?
Please give some advice.

Thanks...

 

[MattZani]

You Plug it in (Most Digital Optical Cables come with the Adaptor, it like clips on) and it activates it, not sure how, i guess its a different shape or something, but it works, i can assure you.

 

[Runt888]

You Plug it in (Most Digital Optical Cables come with the Adaptor, it like clips on) and it activates it, not sure how, i guess its a different shape or something, but it works, i can assure you.

There's a microswitch inside the jack that toggles between analog and digital. Works well until the switch gets stuck...

 

[NickM]

Ahhh ok... thanks.
So, just to clarify, it SHOULD activate the optical port when I first plug in the adapter? And from then on, I should be able to see the red light inside?

An optical cable I bought a while back for my Xbox360 had the weird little adapter... I never knew what it was until now.
Too bad I lost the adapter...need to get another one.

 

[Runt888]

So, just to clarify, it SHOULD activate the optical port when I first plug in the adapter? And from then on, I should be able to see the red light inside?

No, it should only be activated when there is an optical cable plugged in (99% sure this is how it works, I believe it should switch back to analog when nothing is plugged in).

 

[fsckminix6]

^ that would be correct I use my MBP as a source for my receiver works great.

 

[NickM]

No, it should only be activated when there is an optical cable plugged in (99% sure this is how it works, I believe it should switch back to analog when nothing is plugged in).

Ahh ok. I read somebody saying that they saw the red light. Maybe his switch got stuck somehow, and it was staying on when it shouldn't have.

Thanks