no audio from line out port

Question

no audio from line out port

hello, i am using plug-powered speakers on my powermac g5 using the front headphone port. the speakers work fine this way, but when i use them on the line out port in the back, i get a high pitched hissing sound and very quiet audio. the computer detects the speakers, and i am sure i'm using the output port ] ))) and not the input port >o<. how can i get the speakers to work from the line out port so i don;t have to use the front headphones port? thanks!

Power Mac G5, Dual-Core 2.0Ghz, Mac OS X (10.4.7), :3

Posted on Aug 26, 2006 8:18 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 26, 2006 8:25 PM in response to captain chris

That works on mine, I didn't have to do anything special. I plug the cable into the upper jack, select line output in sound preferences. It just works.

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Answer 2

Aug 26, 2006 8:33 PM in response to tele_player

i wish it were that easy here. if i have nothing plugged in, it writes:
Name
Internal speakers

when i plug it in it writes:
Name
Line Out

with the headphone port:
Name
Headphones

only the internal speaker and headphone output work properly.

Power Mac G5, Dual-Core 2.0Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.7) :3

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Answer 3

Aug 26, 2006 8:45 PM in response to captain chris

Try running AudioMidiSetup, set Default Output and System Output to Builtin Audio.

You say 'plug-powered' speakers - what exactly do you mean?

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Answer 4

Aug 26, 2006 8:45 PM in response to tele_player

definitely. i even tried both just to be sure. when i used the input port i got sound from the internal speaker only.

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Answer 5

Aug 28, 2006 7:00 PM in response to tele_player

i looked around in midi setup and no dice, everything was set to system output.

these speakers are self-powered using external power from a plug, not like headphones.

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Answer 6

Sep 3, 2006 12:18 PM in response to captain chris

i have a question. if i have standard apple ipod headphones, and use them on the rear audio out port, will i get the same sound as the headphones port on the front?

i still can't get this to work. i'm starting to believe this is a hardware problem, all the settings are identical for audio out and headphones in audio MIDI setup, but i'm still not getting any sound when i use the rear.

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Answer 7

linuxuser

Level 3

680 points

Sep 4, 2006 10:04 PM in response to captain chris

Input port? That is for a microphone, or line from a record player/tape deck, etc. To record IN to your computer.

The OUTPUT (top) jack in the back is for powered speakers. Ones which are powered by electricity.

The front headphone jack, well- is for headphones! There is an amplification difference. The headphone jack is amplified more, for headphones.

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Answer 8

tsenga

Level 1

0 points

Sep 17, 2006 4:04 PM in response to captain chris

I'm getting the same problem.

It has been working fine. Haven't used the machine for a week, but now, I get the same symptoms as you (loud unwanted high pitched sound with quiet wanted sound).

Let me know if you get a resolution.

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Answer 9

muzak

Level 3

650 points

Sep 17, 2006 4:30 PM in response to captain chris

First of all you should read the manual where it says "Never plug speakers into the headphone port."

It's a simple equation headphone port=unpowered
Audio line out=powered

Mixing the 2 up undoubtedly can damage speakers and this is probably what happened to your speakers, try checking a different pair of powered speakers from the line out top port on the back.

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Answer 10

Oct 1, 2006 8:06 PM in response to muzak

i've bought new speakers today and would really like to get this resolved. when i plug in my new soundsticks ii speakers to the front headphone port, everything works fine. but when i use the rear line out port, i get nothing but a high pitched ring. and yes, i tried the audio out, not audio in. i'm sure.

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Answer 11

Oct 2, 2006 3:01 AM in response to captain chris

captain chris-

As far as I can tell you are attempting to use the correct jack for audio out to those speakers. Considering all that you have done and tried, it appears as though the rear line out jack is not working correctly.

The noise that you do hear-does that come out of both speakers or just one?

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 12

tsenga

Level 1

0 points

Oct 17, 2006 3:10 PM in response to DaddyPaycheck

In my case this turned out to be a logic board h/ware fault. They have replaced it and am told its fine (waiting for the machine to come back).

I'd recommend giving Apple a call.

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