5.1 Surround Sound from DVD Player to 828 mk3?

[ioplex]

Hello,

Is it possible to get the Apple DVD Player app to send 5.1 audio to the Motu 828mk3?

I have a TOSlink running from a newish Mac Mini into the 828 but Audio MIDI Setup for "Built-in Output" has only options for 2 channels (albeit "Source: Digital Out"). There's also "Encoded Digital Audio" but I assume that's for receivers specifically designed to decode some kind of multi-channel encoded streams.

If I select the 828 as the output device I get audio from whatever app including DVD Player but of course that's just over Firewire. When playing audio I can unplug the TOSlink, see it glowing red and yet the audio still plays without interruption.

So is it not possible? The 828 I'm trying is just a demo unit. I was going to get a Traveler if it worked but this seems like an Apple issue.

Can the ADAT out of a Mac Mini send multiple channels?

Pls advise,

Mike

[ioplex]

Of course 5 minutes after I post the question I solved the issue.

The VLC media player allows you to select the MOTU as output. I can switch between the different analog pairs of outputs for Phones under MOTU Audio Setup and hear the different streams - front (no vocals!), center (vocals) and rear (gets some reverb). The opening party in Das Boot is a good scene to test with.

Apple needs to update DVD Player to allow selecting output devices other than "Digital Out - Built-in Output" and "System Sound Output".

Mike