Toslink connector question

2014-07-18 Thread Donald L. Roberts
This question pertains to the toslink connector on my Apple TV box.  Is 
the signal which comes from the Apple TV's toslink connector a digital 
signal or an analog signal?  If digital, then I need to convert it to 
analog as my receiver is quite old and has no digital inputs, only RCA 
analog inputs.  I do realize that I could listen to the television set's 
audio, but I do not choose to do so as my TV has the dubious distinction 
of producing the tinniest audio I have ever heard.  Thanks.


Don Roberts



Re: Toslink connector question

2014-07-18 Thread Darran Ross

Yes, that will indeed be  a digital signal.



- Original Message - 
From: Donald L. Roberts donald.robert...@gmail.com

To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 4:28 PM
Subject: Toslink connector question


This question pertains to the toslink connector on my Apple TV box.  Is 
the signal which comes from the Apple TV's toslink connector a digital 
signal or an analog signal?  If digital, then I need to convert it to 
analog as my receiver is quite old and has no digital inputs, only RCA 
analog inputs.  I do realize that I could listen to the television set's 
audio, but I do not choose to do so as my TV has the dubious distinction 
of producing the tinniest audio I have ever heard.  Thanks.


Don Roberts





Re: Toslink connector question

2014-07-18 Thread Gary Schindler
Don, that is a digital signal. you can buy and HDMI to Analog converter for 
an older TV set. Someone may have to tell you which is the video and audio 
cable

s.
- Original Message - 
From: Donald L. Roberts donald.robert...@gmail.com

To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 11:28 AM
Subject: Toslink connector question


This question pertains to the toslink connector on my Apple TV box.  Is 
the signal which comes from the Apple TV's toslink connector a digital 
signal or an analog signal?  If digital, then I need to convert it to 
analog as my receiver is quite old and has no digital inputs, only RCA 
analog inputs.  I do realize that I could listen to the television set's 
audio, but I do not choose to do so as my TV has the dubious distinction 
of producing the tinniest audio I have ever heard.  Thanks.


Don Roberts




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Re: Toslink connector question

2014-07-18 Thread ken reed

   yes, it's digital.
look for an analog to digital converter.
scratch that.  an digital to analog converter.



-Original Message- 
From: Darran Ross 
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 12:08 PM 
To: PC Audio Discussion List 
Subject: Re: Toslink connector question 


Yes, that will indeed be  a digital signal.



- Original Message - 
From: Donald L. Roberts donald.robert...@gmail.com

To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 4:28 PM
Subject: Toslink connector question


This question pertains to the toslink connector on my Apple TV box.  Is 
the signal which comes from the Apple TV's toslink connector a digital 
signal or an analog signal?  If digital, then I need to convert it to 
analog as my receiver is quite old and has no digital inputs, only RCA 
analog inputs.  I do realize that I could listen to the television set's 
audio, but I do not choose to do so as my TV has the dubious distinction 
of producing the tinniest audio I have ever heard.  Thanks.


Don Roberts





Re: Toslink connector question

2014-07-18 Thread Steve Jacobson
Apple TV has no analog outputs that I know of but which is the connector that 
you are referring to as TOSLINK?  Is 
that the optical connection?  

There are a number of ways to get analog output from your Apple TV.  If your TV 
is connected using the HDMI cable, 
it is also decoding the audio.  Even though the TV's sound is not good, it may 
have audio outputs that could go to 
your stereo receiver.

There are also converters that will convert a digital optical output signal to 
an analog signal.  Using one of 
these will also work.

There are also converters that will convert an HDMI output to analog video and 
audio.  This would degrade your 
picture, though, but the audio is pretty good.  I am using one of these since 
my TV and receiver are old.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Fri, 18 Jul 2014 08:28:10 -0700, Donald L. Roberts wrote:

This question pertains to the toslink connector on my Apple TV box.  Is 
the signal which comes from the Apple TV's toslink connector a digital 
signal or an analog signal?  If digital, then I need to convert it to 
analog as my receiver is quite old and has no digital inputs, only RCA 
analog inputs.  I do realize that I could listen to the television set's 
audio, but I do not choose to do so as my TV has the dubious distinction 
of producing the tinniest audio I have ever heard.  Thanks.

Don Roberts








Re: Toslink connector question

2014-07-18 Thread Donald L. Roberts
The toslink connector is the small rather square indentation immediately 
to the left of the HDMI connector if the box is oriented so that the 
connectors are facing you.  I realize that that is the back of the box, 
but when messing with the connections, I turn the box so that the 
connectors are facing me.


Don Roberts


On 7/18/2014 11:39 AM, Steve Jacobson wrote:

Apple TV has no analog outputs that I know of but which is the connector that 
you are referring to as TOSLINK?  Is
that the optical connection?

There are a number of ways to get analog output from your Apple TV.  If your TV 
is connected using the HDMI cable,
it is also decoding the audio.  Even though the TV's sound is not good, it may 
have audio outputs that could go to
your stereo receiver.

There are also converters that will convert a digital optical output signal to 
an analog signal.  Using one of
these will also work.

There are also converters that will convert an HDMI output to analog video and 
audio.  This would degrade your
picture, though, but the audio is pretty good.  I am using one of these since 
my TV and receiver are old.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Fri, 18 Jul 2014 08:28:10 -0700, Donald L. Roberts wrote:


This question pertains to the toslink connector on my Apple TV box.  Is
the signal which comes from the Apple TV's toslink connector a digital
signal or an analog signal?  If digital, then I need to convert it to
analog as my receiver is quite old and has no digital inputs, only RCA
analog inputs.  I do realize that I could listen to the television set's
audio, but I do not choose to do so as my TV has the dubious distinction
of producing the tinniest audio I have ever heard.  Thanks.



Don Roberts












Skullcandy PLYR 2 Wireless headset?Mic Unit Review

2014-07-18 Thread Petro Giannakopoulos
I bought this Skullcandy PLYR 2 Headset with microphone from Radio Shack for 
$99+ but I noticed Amazon has them for $89 but not sure about the shipping.

It is wireless. 2.4 GHZ frequency use. It has a 50 foot range. i read in the 
reviews that this guy said it worked when he went two stories/floors away. I 
tested about 20 feet and was great. Freedom to move around was why I  bought 
this unit.

My opinions only. I am not saying to buy this unit. Only a review.

JAWS Users
Examine your current sound card you are using first.
See what card you have and its shortcut letter in that list by pressing
insert+j+u+o
and a list will appear.
See what sound card JAWS is using.
Remember its shortcut letter.
Sigmatel? then it will be S for its shortcut letter.
Realtek the possibly R for its shortcut letter.

If you use jaws there is an important keystroke if you get stuck.
insert+j+u+o which takes you to the JAWS sound settings if you hear no 
speech and stuck then press the shortcut letter for your sound card.

For me since I use a Sigmatell sound card with JAWs I press
insert+j+u+o+s
To tell JAWS to use the Sigmatell sound card if I lose speech.

Skullcandy
Phone tech support at
1-888-my-skull
you can also order this unit at the above number.

First thing I did after ordering this unit was to read the reviews and the 
how to set it up. Usually one is supposed to do his research first then make 
the order but I did not. The Radio Shack phone representative seemed to know 
what he was saying and was a video game player and understood headsets so I 
took his recommendation. They come in different colors. I really was not 
asked about what color I wanted for the headset to be. Mine are yellow / 
black. The headset is adjustable but not foldable from waht I could tell. I 
have had this unit for only 8 hours so far. Accessories are,
Headset with microphone
1 shorter USB cable
1 longer USB cable
A transmitter

I am not a audio expert and wears a hearing aid. The headset feels 
comfortable to me. I tested the headset with Skype.

I did not wear the hearing aid when wearing the headset.

Have the computer on.
Connect the supplied shorter USB cable to your computer then to the 
transmitter's mini USB slot. You will hear found new hardware.
Connect the supplied longer USB cable to the transmitter's regular USB slot. 
The other end of this USB cable will have the mini USB connector which you 
will use to charge your headset unit. I believe it uses a lithium ion 
battery. I was told to charge it for 12 hours the first time.

Other accessories included are but not used by me are 2 RCA male to 1/8 inch 
cable. A 2.5mm cable for the XBox unit.

Note: The 1/8 inch male cable to 1/8 inch male cable was not supplied. it 
was one the complaints in the reviews so have one handy. They say the local 
Dollar store has them.

The transmitter has an 1/8 inch opening (3.5mm( which you can then connect 
to your computer's headphone output 1/8 inch opening. This is not required 
from what I can tell right now but I tested this and I was able to hear JAWS 
speech while talking to someone via Skype. The Skype user did not hear my 
screen reader's speech output sound.

The headset has ear cups design.
The left cup has the adjustable microphone. You can adust it to your liking.
There is a way to mute the microphone but I have not tested it. You have 
push/move the mic down and it mutes. Move it back up and it unmutes the mic.

The right ear cup has on the outside flat side a round rocker control. It is 
about the size in diameter like a penny or 16-18mm circle. Cannot miss this 
control. If you push up this control to 12 o'clock position the volume will 
go up in increments. At 6 o'clock the volume will go down. At 3 'o clock its 
for gaming mode and 9 0'clock its for voice mode. I use the 9 0'clock here. 
I pushed towards 9 o'clock position.

To the left of this rocker control there is a power button. You will find it 
once you know.

We are still on the right ear cup. It has a EQ presets. 3 presets you can 
choose from. Base, premium and I forget the other one. It slides up and down 
and clicks. Also next to this presets area there is a mini USB slot which 
you connect the loose mini USB connector that extends from the transmitter 
unit. This is how you charge the headset.

So I let it charge for an hour first.

you must pair the headset with your transmitter next.

The transmitter has a button on its top.
The right cup on the headset has the poer button. it is next to the rocker 
control.
You hold down the power button on both the transmitter and Headset for 5 
seconds and let go. Setup says to do it for 2 seconds.

I had no indication that it was paired. maybe I missed something. maybe I 
should have had the headsets on and listen for something.

So I went to my Windows sound settings and examined my playback and 
recording devices. Both read Skullcandy GMX...
So I know it was ppaired successfully.
Since I have my computer setup to use the