occasional static with optical cable

[luckyjack7]

Anyone having occasional (every three or four minutes) static when using an optical cable with a mini-Tos link. It starts slow and builds and then stops lasting only three or four seconds but at full volume. A friend said he has a similar problem when using seratto but I think he's using firewire.

 

[kolax]

Shouldn't get any static when using optical.

If anything, it'll be your amplifier that is causing it - since that deals with the digital signal.

Digital signals aren't prone to static/interference - you either have it or you don't. There isn't an inbetween.

 

[luckyjack7]

however....

I agree Kila, however I just had my I/O and Logic boards replaced. The logic board wasn't the problem (apple authorized the repair) but did gain me a new thermal paste job (10 degrees celsius lower temp at idle). The I/O board had a blown diode due to a short and was causing a loud hum through the sound port. I didn't have an optical cable at the time so I don't know if there was static w/ it then. Now I have it back and want to free up cables and this optical is ticking me off. I have a new Samsung 5.1 Home Theatre (HT-TX52) only a few weeks old. After all this do you still think it's the new amp or continuing I/O board issues.??

What's your best recommendation for other cable hookups. i.e. firewire or USB and do you think I might have the same issues w/ them?





EDIT: I just played God of War II (great game) for 30 mins on my PS2 using my optical cable and amp w/ no static issues. So I think the amp and cable are fine it must be my computer. My G4 doesn't have optical so I can't test it but will try to get my friend to bring his MacBook so I can try it (assuming it's optical capable). Will get back to you all.

 

[evilspoons]

EDIT: I just played God of War II (great game) for 30 mins on my PS2 using my optical cable and amp w/ no static issues. So I think the amp and cable are fine it must be my computer. My G4 doesn't have optical so I can't test it but will try to get my friend to bring his MacBook so I can try it (assuming it's optical capable). Will get back to you all.

This is only useful data if the PS2 is outputting exactly the same kind of signal. Generally the PS2 outputs dolby digital or PCM stereo at a particular sampling rate and number of bits that I cannot remember right now.

Since I don't have my MacBook Pro yet I have no idea if there are controls over what the sound output sampling rate over optical is, and what modes it supports, but try changing it. Most reliable rate would be 16 bit/ 44 kHz stereo PCM audio, since this is exactly the same as CD audio.

 

[luckyjack7]

hmmm........interesting. There's no obvious changes possible that I can find.

perhaps some kind of 3rd party pre-amp output??

anyone??

I've tried one on my G4 before I had my pro and the controls were good (I can't remember the name) but boy did it suck some serious juice off the top

 

[luckyjack7]

Watched a new movie last night (not burned) same static every three mins w/ optical cable. So loud and annoying it's unlistenable. Does nobody have any ideas? After just having my computer in the shop for over two weeks while they mail different parts back and forth I do not look forward to doing it again.

But shouldn't my $2800 computer put out 5.1 Digital sound w/ no problems??

In 25 years and 10 different macs this was the first time one had ever had to go to the shop and now again?