All Macs can only output in Stere

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

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All Macs can only output in Stereo

That is the statement I got today in the Apple Store.

I went in to look for a Thunderbolt to HDMi cable, I want to plug in my iMac to my TV in the living room for the time being and run XBMC off that and use the TV as a second screen, thinking it would be much cheaper than say build a HTPC since the iMac is in the same room.

So the most important aspects for the cable is 2 fold:

1 – Picture
2 – Surround sound.

Point 2 is where we came unstuck. Apple insists that all Macs can only output 2.1 stereo sound, he even load up the spec sheet on their site.

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

In response, I said I have been using my Mid 2010 MBP to watch a few things through my Amplifier (Pioneer VSX-2021, or more a well known LX-55, as they are the same essentially) and I have been getting 5.1 through the receiver all this time.

They insists that I can't, I said my receiver disagrees as it clearly shows Dolby Digital or DTS when I play the proper media through it with VLC.

(I also found out that the Mini Display Port uses the same socket design as thunderbolt, it is essentially the same thing.)

So who is right?

Macs can only output stereo? Is my Pioneer Reciever deceiving me? Is VLC doing something clever? Can Macs output 5.1 surround unofficially?
 
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Macs via HDMI can output 8 channels @ 96KHz, 24 bit. I don't bother with an external sound card with my Macbook Pro for this reason. To check that's the case, go to Audio Midi Setup (easiest to find via spotlight) and select HDMI. Click 'Configure Speakers' at the bottom right, then select Multichannel, and the correct layout that suits your space (5.1, 7.1 etc). Hit Apply/Done. That's all here is to it. :)

I can't see an iMac being any different, ever since about 2010/11 HDMI audio has been included on every MBP I've had.
 
I had the MBP aswell connected to a Denon 1910 via mini-Toslink which showed me the blue HD symbol on my amp. This was playing through Plex.
 
Where does it say on that spec sheet that it only outputs stereo?

It says it has stereo speakers, can't find any other reference.

The minijack on Macs is also an optical digital port that can output multi-channel, as far as I know they can through HDMI from the MiniDP/Thunderbolt port as well.

Mine happily puts out 5.1 through one anyway.
 
PardonTheWait said:
Where does it say on that spec sheet that it only outputs stereo?

It says it has stereo speakers, can't find any other reference.

The minijack on Macs is also an optical digital port that can output multi-channel, as far as I know they can through HDMI from the MiniDP/Thunderbolt port as well.

Mine happily puts out 5.1 through one anyway.
Click to expand...

He actually pointed it at the speakers !

I "argued" with him that it can do 5.1, I actually said he is free to pop around and I can show it to him. He even asked 2 of his colleagues all said "stereo".

I only wanted to see if they do a Thunderbolt to HDMI cable, which they don't, at least not by name. Apple do not make such cable, only 3rd party does and they are not call Thunderbolt to HDMI, it's just Mini Display port to HDMI since it is the same socket as I found out.
 
Raymond Raymond Raymond. Why do you assume the school / college art drop outs who work in the Apple store would actually know this?
 
It's tosh; I have happily run 4, 8 and 12 (at different times) output channels from various Macs for many years.
 
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