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    What uses the MBP optical audio in/out?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Seshan, Jan 3, 2009.

  1. Seshan

    Seshan Rawrrr!

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    Well what can we use it for? I want to get a gaming head set but the ones I see are not the analog/digital optical port?
     
    Seshan, Jan 3, 2009
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  2. JWest

    JWest Master of Notebookery

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    The port on the MBP is sort of a multi-function port. It can do both analog and optical out, the the latter requires an adapter. Most gaming headsets are USB though. Don't worry, whatever you buy ought to work. My suggestion would be to buy an external sound card if you plan to hook your MBP up to anything requiring optical, as the built in sound isn't all that fantastic.
     
    JWest, Jan 3, 2009
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  3. sulkorp

    sulkorp Notebook Deity

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    If youre using the optical connection, theres no reason to get a usb sound card just for optical. Optical is optical.

    The main uses of it, would be to connect your laptop to an amplifier that accepts an optical connection, and you will have digital surround sound. Or a set of digital speakers (i know logitech makes one)

    If you get a gaming headset, just get a usb one. You cant use a standard mic on mac laptops, without an adapter, so you might as well just get one thats digital.
     
    sulkorp, Jan 3, 2009
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  4. CanadianDude

    CanadianDude Notebook Deity

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    i use it to connect my MBP to my logitech z5500 digitial speakers for surround sound. It's very nice because I don't have to buy an external 5.1 sound card. i can just plug in the optical cable and thats it.
     
    CanadianDude, Jan 4, 2009
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