The MacBook Pros audio port supports both two-channel linear PC and Encoded Digital Audio formats, like Dolby Digital and DTS. I never see the blue decoding light come on with optical input from my iMac. Actually, it would be best to just connect an audio optical digital cable with a 3.5 mm mini plug/TOSlink adapter on one end and the appropriate digital connector for your receiver. Just as a point of reference, when I plug a SPDIF connector from an HDTV into the back of the same receiver I get the Blue Multi-Channel Decoding light as expected from a major network or PBS station. 14.69 (12 used & new offers) 100W/5A USB C to C Charging Cable for MacBook Pro 16, 14, 15, 13 inch, MacBook Air 2020/2019/2018, Type C Cord for iPad Pro/Air, USB-IF Certified, 6.6ft 2,236 1299 (1.97/Feet) Save 1. BTW, the iMac is a mid 2011 model running the latest version of El Capitan 10.11.1 as follows:įYI: My Sony STR-DA2ES surround sound receiver says that I’m getting a linear PCM signal, not 5.1 through the optical cable, even with a 5.1 source. iFixit sells parts and upgrades for your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with free Fixit Guides.

Once I restart the Audo MIDI Setup my iMac has reset the audio back to 2-channel 24-bit. One immediate hint about problems setting up “Encoded Digital Audio” is that I cannot configure speakers for 5.1, only stereo, no matter what I do. If anyone can explain to me what is going on here I will be eternally grateful.All steps seem fine until setting “Encoded Digital Audio” I get silence through my Toslink cable after doing that. Unfortunately the cable won't support HDR video or 4K streaming services, which require the newer HDMI 2.0a standard.” According to HDMI Licensing it's not backwards compatible with existing devices or upgradeable via software.Ĭalled 'HDMI Alt Mode' the new standard supports up to HDMI 1.4b, a version that supports resolutions up to 4K and extras such as Audio Return Channel (ARC),3D, HDMI Ethernet Channel and Consumer Electronic Control (CEC).

That means you'll be able to connect compatible tablets, phones and laptops directly to a display without the need for a separate converter.Ī simple USB-C-to-HDMI cable will replace the $70 dongles that currently exist, though the source device will need to have been designed to output HDMI via USB-C. “Dongles begone! HDMI Licensing has announced a new version of USB-C that has native HDMI support. It’s driving me nuts that it won’t just simply work with the USB-C => HDMI, as I understand that both USB-C and HDMI (from 1.4b) are supposed to support everything SO I got it working with following daisy chain: USB-C => HDMI adapter HDMI => optical optical => HDMI. I can hook it up via wifi but get a bad lag which can’t be cured. Sonos say this is not supported as Beam is made for TVs (with optical or HDMI-ARC output). It’s a long story but i want to use my Beam with my 2020 MacBook Pro which only has USB-C output.

Optical cable for macbook air