Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Optical Audio Out and Volume

K

kolax

macrumors G3
Original poster
Mar 20, 2007
9,181
115
Not really a problem, more of a wonder. Optical audio uses light - therefore doesn't carry an output affected by volume, does it?

Why is it I can adjust the volume using VLC Player's volume control when connected to my amplifier using optical?

I'm baffled.
 
Why is it Apple decided to disable the volume controls on the MBP when connected by optical?

Do I benefit from sound quality when watching a movie by turning the volume low on VLC Player and turning my amp up so the amp is dealing with the amplification not the laptop? Although the laptop isn't amplifying anything though - I'm really confused. What is it that amplifies the signal in relation to the digital signal volume?
 
Speaking of optical out, do you (or does anyone) know if when using the optical out the MBP still has the pops and hums that have been reported as happening when headphones or stereo speakers are connected?
 
Never experienced that.

My optical is crystal clear - great sound and bass is very responsive (I have 4x4" speakers and a 12" subwoofer) compared to analogue output which isn't very good considering the MBP is handling a certain amount of amplification which is nowhere as good as my dedicated amplifier.
 
A question for you all. I have a MBP non SR (has ATIX1600) and prior to installing the audio driver in windows a red light was coming out of the headphone jack. After I installed the Sigmatel drivers it shows a digital input/output below the analog i/o and I always wondered why this was. Does this mean I have an optical out?
 
All MBP's have optical out. Red light is optical yes - it is actually flashing really fast carrying a digital signal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back