Advanced Audio
From Plex
Preparing Audio Equipment
There are two ways to connect your Mac to your audio system. The first method is analog, using a 3.5mm Stereo Plug. Using this method, the audio device built into the Mac will output two channel sound, with pre-amplification and OS controlled variable volume. Most receivers will accept a 3.5mm stereo to dual RCA Connectors ( The common red and white plugs ), however it might be necessary to use a 3.5mm to 3.5mm stereo cable if you are using a HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) or other Proprietary system.
The other method of connecting your Mac is via a digital TOS-link connection. Majority of Mac computers ( iMac, Mini, Macbook/Pro) output a digital TOS-link connection via the same 3.5mm headphone jack. Standard TOS-link digital optical cables will not fit the connection without an adapter. A Mini-Optical/Tos-link adapter must be fastened to properly utilize the digital output of the Mac. The benefit to using this digital connect is that the full multichannel encoded formats encoded in DVDs and other media ( such as Dolby Digital and DTS ) can be passed to a decoding device such as a Receiver or Audio Processor. When using the digital connection, the internal amplification of the sound board is disabled, forgoing volume control within OSX.
However, all digital signals are not created equally. For majority of Plex users, their receiver will be able to lock onto the digital output from Plex. Some may encounter problems and require tweaking of the Mac OSX audio controls. If you are having problems with your surround sound receiver, try the following options:
Although it is labeled "Midi" controls, you can actually alter important configurations here for digital output.
- Open Applications=>Utilities=>Audio Midi Controls.
- Select Properties for=> Built-in Output => Source => Digital Output. Depending on the DAC in your receiver, you can try adjusting between 44, 48, and 96khz.
- The Second option for Format, is the Channel and Bitrate settings. Change the option to "Encoded Digital Audio".
If issues still exist between your Mac and Receiver, it is likely that there is a communications issue or input setting maligned in the Receiver. Refer to the manual from the Receiver technical information.