Mac Mini HTPC Audio Options?

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Level 1

36 points

Mac Mini HTPC Audio Options?

I'm going to convert my Mini (early 2009) into a home theater PC. I need to know what audio options I have for getting 5.1 sound out of it.

I'm a little confused about the audio out jack. Is this jack a standard stereo headphone jack, or is it a digital audio jack?

What other options are there? I do see an external solution from Sound Blaster (Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi External USB – 5.1). I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this under Snow Leopard?

iMac 24 / MacBook Pro 17" / Mac Mini / iPhone 3G 16GB, Mac OS X (10.6), 3.06 Ghz / Core 2 Duo / 4GB Ram

Posted on Oct 28, 2009 3:58 PM

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Answer 1

Euchre

Level 4

1,275 points

Oct 29, 2009 9:08 AM in response to DJRumpy

Is your mini the one with the mini DVI and mini Display adapter, or the single large DVI adapter? If it's the former, your audio output should support SPDIF (digital output) via a 3.5mm to RCA cable. If it's the latter, you can only use the optical capability of that same output port to connect to surround sound. If you can use optical, you should anyway.

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Answer 2

DJRumpy Author

Level 1

36 points

Oct 29, 2009 9:21 AM in response to Euchre

Thanks for the reply 😉

It's got a mini display port and it came with a mini-adapter for DVI or VGA output.

System Profile says this for the audio properties:

Intel High Definition Audio:

Device ID: 0x10DECB79
Audio ID: 65
Available Devices:
Headphone:
Connection: Combo
Line In:
Connection: Combo
Speaker:
Connection: Internal
S/P-DIF Out:
Connection: Combo
S/P-DIF In:
Connection: Combo

It's a Macmini3,1 if that helps.

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Answer 3

DJRumpy Author

Level 1

36 points

Oct 29, 2009 10:33 AM in response to DJRumpy

If I'm reading these specs right, these TOSLink connectors are actually S/PDIF connectors (fiber optic). I found a 3.5 mm mini to standard TOSLink.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FMXKC8/ref=ossT15product

I'll give it a try and see what I get. Clever way to save space since these mini jacks actually serve both analog and digital in the same form factor.

Can anyone confirm if they've used this type of output on a Mini (or any mac for that matter).

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Answer 4

Oct 30, 2009 6:29 AM in response to DJRumpy

the TOSlink cable will fit the bill on those models, but I STRONGLY urge you to get a right angle plug on the TOSlink cable, if not, you will have about an 1 1/2-2" of cable sticking out the back of your Mac..it is a little heavy for the 3.5mm plug adapter to hold it in. The right angle plug can easily rest on the video cable and you don't have to worry about the cable sticking out the back.

http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?item=SP-TOC-RA&sourc e=froogle

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Answer 5

DJRumpy Author

Level 1

36 points

Oct 30, 2009 6:38 AM in response to Scott Kendall1

Thanks for the confirmation Scott 😉

I did see those right angle adapters. No worries about clearance behind it as it will be sitting on a shelf with at least a foot behind it. If necessary I'll pick up some styrofoam and support it that way if it seems to put too much tension on the jack.

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Answer 6

DJRumpy Author

Level 1

36 points

Nov 9, 2009 8:43 PM in response to DJRumpy

Just following up for anyone who's interested.

The TOSLink cable worked fine. 5.1 audio out works like a charm. Just set your Audio MIDI setup in Utilities to SPDIF and set the Format to 48000 Hz.

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Answer 7

Dec 2, 2009 12:26 PM in response to DJRumpy

Can I ask the reason why you need to set 48000hz instead of 44K?
I have my mac mini connected to Samsung Home Theater via Toslink and I get crackling sound in my ONLY in my rear speakers… The speakers are fine as there's no issues when playing DVD.
There is something wrong with my Mac Mini audio setup, i just don't know what it is?

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