Will my MBP optical out carry 5.1 to an amp?

[whitedragon101]

I have a MBP 15" 2008 and 17" 2011. Neither seem to be wanting to carry sound over the Mini display port to HDMI cable into my Pioneer amp (see links below).

Can I use the optical out port on the MBP (the amp has optical in) and get the amp to play any source coming from the laptop be it youtube HD or a video playing in VLC?

Also will it carry 5.1?

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Home-Theater-Systems/HTP-071
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/PUSA/Images/Product Images/Home/HTP-071-rear_large.jpg


Thanks

 

[waw74]

the 2008 doesn't support audi over minidisplay port, but the 2011 should.

also, not all mdp adapters will support audio.

read this link for more info about which macs and mDP adapters support audio


but... the optical out port on all macs for the past several years does support dolby digital out or DTS. but HD audio will not work.

 

[whitedragon101]

Thanks for the help. It turned out the amp was broken. I took it back and the new one works with both optical and HMDI no problem

 

[orestes1984]

You will need a mini toslink to toslink cable but yes your MacBook Pro will output optical audio. It's quite cool when your receiver automatically changes over to the surround sound standard whether its Dolby or DTS