usb to optical for laptop?

Disco Boy

Disco Boy

Disco Boy

Soldato
Joined
4 Aug 2009
Posts
5,310
Location
London
In short, my laptop doesn't have an optical out, only hdmi and 3.5mm headphone. I want high fidelity output to my av receiver without the hassle of using hdmi (means I have to have my TV switched on).

What cheap device can just plug in to my usb and have an optical output? It doesn't need to be particularly fancy as my receiver DAC will do all the real work...
 
I've searched high and low for one and beyond spending over £50 there isn't any kit that does it. If you adjust the settings in Windows you can get the output on the monitor and the sound via the HDMI without requiring the screen, unless it's your AVR that's the awkward part in the setup?

Thinking about it, I did see a USB to S/PDIF box on the bay a little while back from China, might be worth a punt.
 
There is one on the famous auction site, as Auraomega mentioned. About £23, but it is dual mono, not true stereo.

To get true stereo, you probably would have to pay quite a bit more, and to get 5.1, if that is what you are looking for, you would probably have to pay significantly more.
 
Auraomega said:
If you adjust the settings in Windows you can get the output on the monitor and the sound via the HDMI without requiring the screen, unless it's your AVR that's the awkward part in the setup?
Click to expand...

I think I'll look into this. Thank you :)

£50 seems a bit much when I could buy an airport express for near that and that has optical out as well as other features.
 
The Turtle Beach looks promising, I'd recommend e-mailing the company first and making sure it does what you want though because as Marsman mentioned, some of the cheaper USB - S/PDIF converters may well not work in true stereo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom