Output 5.1 via Optical possible from iMac?

Raymond Lin · 1 Jan 2013 at 02:02

Trying to play 5.1 material to my receiver via toshlink. Everything connected and all I can get is stereo.

Anyone got this working and what are the must tick boxes?

Thanks.

Alpherah · 1 Jan 2013 at 06:32

I'm sure it switches 'on the fly' - try playing a movie (non ripped) in iTunes full screen and see if it changes

JediFragger · 1 Jan 2013 at 09:21

Def keep us updated on this mate, will be interested

shine · 1 Jan 2013 at 12:50

DVD player doesn't output 5.1, you need to use iTunes or VLC with your 5.1 material. I haven't got it connected anymore but I think when I did I first had to play about with VLC audio settings to get 5.1 out.

Raymond Lin · 1 Jan 2013 at 14:03

Fixed it !!!

Under VLC, Audio, Audio Device, Build in Output (Encoded Output).

I had it on Build in Output, which was stereo but with encoded it is now Dolby Digital, DTS etc !

shine · 1 Jan 2013 at 14:32

Awesome - I knew I had to play about with the audio settings I just couldn't remember what I did!

Raymond Lin · 1 Jan 2013 at 17:20

Well, I knew I had everything plugged int correct.

Amp is set up right (I got my old HD DVD player working with optical for surround sound and this is the same thing).

I got the right cable for the iMac with the 3.5mm adaptor.

I know the media files I have are 5.1 DD or DTS as I had them played through ATV and got surround sound.

On the amp end I can see a red dot from the cable.

I was getting a clear stereo signal.

So iMac is sending a signal, Amp is reading it. So it has to be the source like Lucid said....just couldn't figure out where the problem was. Plus I didn't know iDVD can't output 5.1 ?!?!! How silly was that?!

shine · 1 Jan 2013 at 17:36

Raymond Lin said:
So iMac is sending a signal, Amp is reading it. So it has to be the source like Lucid said....just couldn't figure out where the problem was. Plus I didn't know iDVD can't output 5.1 ?!?!! How silly was that?!

Very silly, I wasted time trying to make it work when I got my first Mac! But since I got the ATV I just stream stuff, I don't even know where my DVD player is, I think my sister borrowed it!

Raymond Lin · 1 Jan 2013 at 17:39

Now, is there a way to turn the digital output on/off with a click? Like switch between inbuild speakers to external from some preference settings?

Steedie · 2 Jan 2013 at 12:52

I used to do it on my 2010 iMac with my Z5500s so surely it wouldn't have been a feature that was removed?

EDIT - Just read the above reply, I'm pretty sure there isn't. Again, I could never work it out in my setup