Digital Audio out of a Mac Mini

[Pak^Man]

Hello,
I have been searching the forums for information on this, but have only found incomplete leads.

How can I get Digital Audio out of my G4 mini? Has anyone done that?

I am trying to integrate the mini into my home theater, and would like to get 5.1 sound out of that for my DVDs, Rips, etc.... and also pipe my music over a digital cable.

I know the Mini's audio jack doubles as a Digital out, and I could get that to pipe audio into my receiver's toshlink jack, but I cannot find any cables that would provide a digital 8mm jack in one end and a toshlink or coax jack on the other..... any ideas?

Alternatively, are there any USB or Firewire sound cards that could help me. I found one by Griffin, but that is meant to connect to 5.1 PC speakers, and does not give a digital toshlink or coax output. Are there any out there that I could use to do this??

I would greatly appreciate your help!

Thanks!!!

 

[Cave Man]

I'm pretty sure the G4 Mini only had analog audio, not digital optical.

 

[Leon Kowalski]

How can I get Digital Audio out of my G4 mini? Has anyone done that?

I know the Mini's audio jack doubles as a Digital out, and I could get that to
pipe audio into my receiver's toshlink jack, but I cannot find any cables that
would provide a digital 8mm jack in one end and a toshlink or coax jack on
the other..... any ideas?

According to this G4 Mini Developer Note, it does NOT appear that the audio output
jack on a G4 Mini provides digital out -- however, I'm not at all sure that this info
applies to all G4 Mini versions.

If you're sure your Mini has an analog/digital 'combo jack', 1/8" Toslink adapters
and adapter-cables are readily available. Most RadioShack stores carry them, or
you can buy them online from MonoPrice.com.

Alternatively, are there any USB or Firewire sound cards that could help me.

Those are easy to find -- search for "USB audio" on Newegg.com, Amazon.com,
or Monoprice.com.

good luck,

LK