SPDIF or not on T60

[thesix]

I want to know if the headphone-out jack on my T60 carries SPDIF or not.
It probably doesn't, since the product page doesn't say anything about SPDIF:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/supp....do?lndocid=MIGR-62722

but I'd like to know for sure, is there a way to tell from the physical look?

It would be great if I can connect it to my receiver to play 5.1, to use as a HTPC.
If no SPDIF on the jack, I guess I'll have to consider a pcmcia/usb sound card.

TIA.

 

[DaveSimmons]

What does the friendly manual say? If you didn't get a paper one there should be a PDF at IBM or on a CD that came with it.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Wont there be a red light coming out of the headphone jack?

 

[thesix]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
What does the friendly manual say? If you didn't get a paper one there should be a PDF at IBM or on a CD that came with it.

The download of that manual hasn't been so friendly so far:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/...les_pdf/42t7844_03.pdf

Can't login to that ftp server for the last two days.

 

[thesix]

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Wont there be a red light coming out of the headphone jack?

That's what I see in some forums. I sure don't see any red light in mine.
I am just a bit surprised and disappointed that a notebook as recent as T60 doesn't provide SPDIF.

 

[Brainonska511]

The red light might only appear if the digital output is enabled. My laptop has SPDIF but I don't see a redlight coming out (I believe I have the digital out turned off).

 

[thesix]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
The red light might only appear if the digital output is enabled. My laptop has SPDIF but I don't see a redlight coming out (I believe I have the digital out turned off).

The checkbox of "Disable Digital Output" in Volumn -> Advanced control is unchecked, I assume that means digital output is enabled.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: thesix

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
The red light might only appear if the digital output is enabled. My laptop has SPDIF but I don't see a redlight coming out (I believe I have the digital out turned off).

The checkbox of "Disable Digital Output" in Volumn -> Advanced control is unchecked, I assume that means digital output is enabled.

When I play with that check box (mine was unchecked) I don't see a red light appear at all. I believe I need a TOS-Link cable to use SPDIF-out, but I have no way to test any of it. Maybe you need the same thing and with such a connection, there is no visible light out of the jack.

 

[alfa147x]

Im nearly 100% sure that their is a flap that stops the red light from exiting the hole, thats how it is on my macbook

 

[thesix]

According to this Wikipedia page:

There is also an optical connector used for TOSLINK (mainly on things like portable equipment; hi-fi separates and similar tend to use the standard square connector) that is the same size as a 3.5 mm jack. Sockets exist that can make either an optical connection to such a plug or an electrical connection to a stereo jack plug, such as the headphone jacks on many laptops.

and

Nowadays, all of Apple's computers have combination electric/optical 3.5 mm TRS jacks for both input and output. This allows for conventional stereo input and output with electrical connections, or 5.1 digital input and output with a mini-Toslink cable.

On TOSLINK page:

Mini-TOSLINK jacks also exist, and are commonly found on Apple computers and portable Minidisk players. These provide the same capabilities, but are almost exactly the same size and shape as the ubiquitous 3.5 mm stereo minijack (they are 0.5mm longer to prevent an analog plug from contacting the LED). Adapters are available to connect a TOSLINK cable to a Mini-TOSLINK jack.

In summary, some laptops have a 3.5 mm jack that support both electric stereo and optical/digital 5.1 sound output. I want to know if my T60 belongs to that group before shop for the adaptor online (since it's difficult to find it in my local area).

 

[Brainonska511]

The answer is no. The only way to get SPDIF on the T60 is to use the advanced dock (either the mini or the full) which has an SPDIF output on it.

http://forum.notebookreview.co...200980&highlight=SPDIF

 

[corkyg]

I have a very fully equipped T60. The headphone jck is a standard stereo mini jack. The only way I know to get SPDIF is via a docking station or mini-dock.

 

[thesix]

Thank you all for helping, especially the two posters to confirm! I'll check for the docking station then. Thanks.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I was pissed because for getting the 8400GS option in my laptop on my HP dv6500t, it automatically diverted SPDIF to my HDMI port. I'm still on an analog tube TV I have no use for HDMI. But now I can't use 5.1 like I thought I could simply because I have HDMI. Really sucks..

To clarify, when the Intel X3100 graphics is chosen, an HDMI port isn't available and SPDIF is sent to the first headphone jack. I bought a little 3.5mm to mono RCA connector to run a coaxial digital connector to my receiver but was sorely disappointed

 

[corkyg]

Nice to know, but what does that have to do with OP's question about the Lenovo T60?

 

[fleabag]

Originally posted by: thesix

Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Wont there be a red light coming out of the headphone jack?

That's what I see in some forums. I sure don't see any red light in mine.
I am just a bit surprised and disappointed that a notebook as recent as T60 doesn't provide SPDIF.

You can have SPDIF out and not have "a red light". The red light you are referring to is for optical SPDIF, you can have coax SPDIF which is far more likely.