Hi everyone!

I have an imac and when I play itunes i'm not able to hear anything via the digital output. The optical cable is connected to a receiver.
I'm wondering if there are some settings to fix!

Thanks for your help!

Debbie

Check the output device setting in System Preferences -> Sound -> Output.

The output settings are ok! I have no problem when I hear a DVD with the DVD player. I get the 5.1 channels correctly.

But I'm still unable to listen to itunes via digital output!
Are you able to do it?

Thanks!

Debbie.

Yeah, it works for me, but I don't have a receiver. I go straight to monitors. [Stereo, no 5.1 decoder or anything.]

what kind of audio file are you trying to play?

when I first read this, I wondered if something else (like EyeTV, a frequent culprit) had gotten a hold of your digital out and wasn't letting go. When you open up AudioMIDI, what do you see in there as you toggle from DVD player app to iTunes? (Look in your Utilities folder for this.)

Does your AVR switch automatically from digital, say AC-3/DTS of a dvd, and then lock onto PCM when you try to play say a typical AAC or Apple lossless song from iTunes? It should. If it's not switching, that's part of the problem--and the info isn't getting out of your Mac--sometimes, too, an AVR can get stuck on a previous setting (like say if you listened to your dvd with "Dolby Pro LogicII Movie" then switched apps to iTunes--you may have to toggle off that previous AVR setting and onto something else in order to hear the new audio.)

Have MIDI open, play the DTS track of a dvd--watch what happens in MIDI and on your AVR--then switch to a 5.1, do the same--then switch to iTunes and play a cd. You have to try to narrow down what's happening exactly--whether it's the problem of your AVR or before the audio leaves your Mac.

Can we assume you have an Intel iMac and are running 10.4.8? Which AVR model?

Yours is a different story!
I'm talking about listening to itunes via digital output and a receiver!

Anyway thanks for your interest.
Debbie!

Are you able to do it?

sorry, didn't see this--but yes--every Mac with an optical minijack out connected to an AVR--should be able to switch seamlessly from iTunes (and PCM) to Apple dvd player--and DD/DTS--and back again.

In fact, with an Intel Mac and an optical cable connected, you won't even get an option in System Pref > Sound > Output.

In MIDI you'll see it switch from "Built-In Output" to "None" as you go from iTunes to DVD.

So...

it is impossible with intel imac to listen to music via digital output!
It seems so strange to me!!!

Thanks for answering me!

Debbie!

I am listening to iTunes via digital to my AVR right now. The SOUND output settings are: Name: Digital Out Port: Built-In Output

If you are having trouble with PCM vs. DD/DTS, that may be a bad receiver setting issue.

Debbie, is this a new problem?
Did you recently update Itunes, or Quicktime?

So...it is impossible with intel imac to listen to music via digital output. It seems so strange to me!!!

Thanks for answering me!

Let's make sure you understand the answer.

Debbie, like Ted and I said, it is not impossible. Our answer is it's the opposite of impossible--iTunes over digital is a basic essential function that should "just work." You have to do more tests and provide more info--there's a reason why it's not working for you. You haven't given us enough info yet to help you determine whether it's an internal (hardware, software) or external (receiver) issue.

When I wrote you:

"In fact, with an Intel Mac and an optical cable connected, you won't even get an option in System Pref > Sound > Output."

I mean it's your only option, there's no need to even check the preferences (waste of time) because it's the only option when you have a digital cable connected--you can't change it even if you wanted to.

Intel Mini, optical output, Denon AVR, iTunes. Works just fine for me.

Mike