Optical out

[harinezumi]

Hi everyone.

Quite recently i started using a optical cable to link between my MBP and my stereo. The thing ive noticed is that when using the optical cable i cant change the volume using the keys at the top of the keyboard,nor through the system preferences. The only way to change the volume is by using the stereo or the application ie;itunes, dvd player.

can anyone tell me if this is normal and how to overcome this.

 

[PlaceofDis]

thats how mine is on my iMac too, i'm guessing its normal, since its considered a "line out" so its set at one volume level. kinda annoying at times though.

 

[Stratification]

My guess would be that it is because it is a digital signal going over optical. In that context there's nothing that would carry the volume info to the stereo from the Mac, it's just straight digital music data.

 

[Pathetique]

My guess would be that it is because it is a digital signal going over optical. In that context there's nothing that would carry the volume info to the stereo from the Mac, it's just straight digital music data.

ding ding ding!

Yeah, it's just sending zeros and ones. No analog electrical signal.

 

[harinezumi]

true!
now that i think of it properly it makes sense.

thanks everyone.

 

[ScottDrummer]

sorry to dig up an old topic, but what cable can be used to connect to the optical out on the mbp.
I have an optical cable into my 5.1 sound system, the other end usually lives in my pls2 but the socket on the end is square, i cant imagine this fitting into the line out on the mpb. is there a different cable required? n.b. one of the end needs to be square as its a femal square socket on my 5.1 system

TIA

EDIT:
ignore me, ive found some threads refering to mini toslink adapters and cables.
is there any disadvantage using the toslink to minitoslink adapters?
are they stable?