So I just learned something cool Macs can do...

[GreatUsername]

I recently built a gaming PC. After setting it up, I unplugged the Ethernet cable from my iMac and plugged it into my new PC. Instead of getting 1gbps speeds, I was getting 100mbps speeds. Since this was a symptom of mismatched wires inside the cable, I cut the head off and sure enough they were not in the proper order. I crimped a new head onto it with the wires in the correct order, and sure enough my new PC was getting 1gbps speeds.

So Macs apparently have the ability to use Ethernet cables at their max bandwidth even if they are improperly wired.

 

[iemcj]

Cool beans. They also have an optical audio output through the headphone jack if you get a miniplug optical cable. So if you want 5.1 surround and uncompressed digital audio, you can do it with a ten dollar adapter.

 

[Jon Rowlison]

It must have been a crossover cable (flipped 1/2, 3/6...) A lot of devices will automatically adjust for that, but apparently not your PC.

 

[GreatUsername]

Cool beans. They also have an optical audio output through the headphone jack if you get a miniplug optical cable. So if you want 5.1 surround and uncompressed digital audio, you can do it with a ten dollar adapter.

Seriously? I didn't know that and I've been using surround sound headphones this whole time (Sennheiser RS170). What is this adapter you speak of? My PC's motherboard probably doesn't support that, but perhaps it will if I get a DAC (***** Modi 2).

 

[Toydoll]

Seriously? I didn't know that and I've been using surround sound headphones this whole time (Sennheiser RS170). What is this adapter you speak of? My PC's motherboard probably doesn't support that, but perhaps it will if I get a DAC (***** Modi 2).

Those headphones can only receive regular analog stereo sound and then "stimulate" surround. So you can't use the optical output. Well... you can if you buy an adapter, but there is no reason to do so since the audio in your headphones will be exactly the same, or even worse.

However, if you have an receiver or anything else that can receive optical, then you only need to buy a cable that has mini toslink on one end and a toslink on the other end. Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters...8120&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=mini+toslink&psc=1

But if you already have a toslink-toslink then you can use that cable and an adapter like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Recoton-Fiber...&qid=1447948120&sr=8-11&keywords=mini+toslink

 

[Buerkletucson]

However, if you have an receiver or anything else that can receive optical, then you only need to buy a cable that has mini toslink on one end and a toslink on the other end. Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters...8120&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=mini+toslink&psc=1

Excellent information........
I never even realized the iMac had an optical audio output until mentioned on this forum.

Do you know if the optical acts the same as as a normal analog output plug on the imac..........
Not allowing you to use the built-in speakers while the optical is connected?

 

[jerwin]

Correct. Using the optical out disables the speakers,