5.1 audio from 2010 MBA?

[Hellhammer]

Does anyone know if the 2010 MBA support Toslink miniplug? I'm slightly concerned because on MBP's tech specs, it specifically states that it also supports digital output while on MBA's page, it only says that it has a headphone minijack. I sometimes use my MBA to playback movies in our home theater where the sound must go through a separate audio box (mDP to HDMI to projector so no audio from there, need to use a separate cable). I have now been using 3.5mm to RCA but since our HT system is 5.1, I would like to be able to take advantage of all the speakers.

If anyone has experience or input on this, it would be greatly appreciated. The cable only costs 7€ but it's still 7€ for nothing if my MBA doesn't even support it.

 

[tentales]

No optical out on MBA use MDP-HDMI cable instead!

Does anyone know if the 2010 MBA support Toslink miniplug? I'm slightly concerned because on MBP's tech specs, it specifically states that it also supports digital output while on MBA's page, it only says that it has a headphone minijack. I sometimes use my MBA to playback movies in our home theater where the sound must go through a separate audio box (mDP to HDMI to projector so no audio from there, need to use a separate cable). I have now been using 3.5mm to RCA but since our HT system is 5.1, I would like to be able to take advantage of all the speakers.

If anyone has experience or input on this, it would be greatly appreciated. The cable only costs 7€ but it's still 7€ for nothing if my MBA doesn't even support it.

I own a 2010 MBA and NO there is no optical output, just a standard headphone out. However, you can obtain 5.1 Audio by purchasing a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable and then selecting this as your Sound Output in System Preferences.
Google "mini displayport to hdmi cable" and you'll find a bunch. Personally I bought the MDP->male HDMI cable. It's cheaper than buying the MDP->femaleHDMI adapter and then attaching a standard HDMI cable to it.

The other alternative is to buy a USB/Audio interface. Google "usb audio interface mac" and you'll find everything from the affordable M-Audio Transit to the pro interfaces.

Hope this helps.

 

[Hellhammer]

I own a 2010 MBA and NO there is no optical output, just a standard headphone out. However, you can obtain 5.1 Audio by purchasing a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable and then selecting this as your Sound Output in System Preferences.
Google "mini displayport to hdmi cable" and you'll find a bunch. Personally I bought the MDP->male HDMI cable. It's cheaper than buying the MDP->femaleHDMI adapter and then attaching a standard HDMI cable to it.

The other alternative is to buy a USB/Audio interface. Google "usb audio interface mac" and you'll find everything from the affordable M-Audio Transit to the pro interfaces.

Hope this helps.

I can't use MDP to HDMI because I'm already using it for video. As the projector provides no audio, I need a separate cable for audio. I'll take a look at USB sound cards but to be honest, I'm not ready to pay much for one.

Thanks.

 

[alust2013]

Here is something that would work. Not terribly expensive either.

 

[nebulos]

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