Mac mini Optical

[elec999]

I want to use my mac mini with optical. Will the mac mini give me 5.1 channel output via optical. I came accross the http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/xpresscable/
Could someone tell me what the small things that convert the audio jack to a optical connector. Is there any other solutions.
Thanks

Edit Is it bad for the optical cable do be too long.

 

[laidbackliam]

all you need is a basic toslink cable. go to radio shack, don't spend as much as griffin will charge. its the same cable, only prettier, but since that will be going around the back of the stereo/mac, who cares what it looks like.