Hey guys, could anyone please assist me...

I have my Beolab 5's connected to the mac mini via a toslink-> coaxial converter, I have the sync cable connected between the speakers, I also have the powerlink cables and the coaxial digital cables connected.

When I connect the sync cable the speakers become unresponsive...

I can't even set the option anymore.

I have them set to option 4. with other beo systems in the same room. I still have the beosound 9000.

So what am I doing wrong?

Andreas, not sure if this helps, but in my setup I have the BS3 with the Lab5 in my media room and the BS9000 in the kitchen linked with ML to the BS3. I also have a CD-Player (sony) connected to the digital in of the lab5, the lab5 are connected with PL to the BS3.

When I hit the CD button on the beo4 the BS3 switched to the Bs9000 in the link room. When I power up the Sony, the lab 5 automatically switch to the Digtal in and play the CD's from the Sony. Volume control as always, no extra sync cable or option setting. The Bs9000 is still playing, but who cares with the sound of the lab5

So I just wonder if your setup just would work as I described, connect the digital in of the Lab 5 with the mac mini instead of the Bs9000. Switch to CD mode and hopefully the mini will take over.

Karsten

Yes, that's how I have it set up, but I understand I should use the sync cable, but they remain shut off when I connect it, they don't even turn on (beolab 5)

I will try your way, having them in option 0? the standard option?

Andreas

It's working fine this way, but what if I wanted to use it without the BS9000? It won't work...

Are you using the right command in Option 4? In option 1, you press RADIO to activate the speakers, but in Option 4, you must add LINK to LIST. Then press LIST until LINK shows, and then press RADIO, in order not to activate the BeoSound 9000. Switch-off is with the regular standby button.

Yes soundproof, that's exacly how I did it. But they don't turn on. 

I had the mini playing, bs9000 shut off, the beolab5's where shut of, and when I removed the sync cable from the beolabs they automatically turned on! Playing the signal from the mac mini.

So the problem seems to be the sync cable? They seem to protect themselves once this cable is connected...

Just as a sidenote soundproof, I'm also not getting any sound from the DVD player in the mac mini. Only from iTunes, and this via "tricking" the Beolab5's. Having the BS9000 on and cutting in via the digital input to switch over.

Don't think you're supposed to use the sync-cable when you have the powerlink cables connected, and that might be the issue. Those are to be used with non-B&O attached to the speakers, and in option 1. Haven't tried the setup you're attempting myself.

As to tricking the audio from your DVD. This depends upon which audio format you are using from the DVD. I can't run DTS direct to my BL5s, for instance, as that is a multichannel signal they don't understand. But I have run PCM stereo to them - however, when I listen to DVDs I always go via my surround processor, and output an analog signal to the speakers (the signal is digital from the mini to the processor).

See what happens when you run a stereo signal to them from the DVD.

When the speakers detect a digital s/pdif coax signal, then this overrides all other signals. Which means that you could consider using a splitter on the coax in, and attaching both the digital coax from the BS9000 and the mini to that. However, you might get power-down issues when the BS9000 has been idle for too long, don't know.

Good luck!

Thanks again Soundproof for helping me.

I tried to find where to adjust if I want to have  2 channel output from the DVD player, but I can't find it. Is it also at the "Audio midi" control panel?

Look at the DVD menu, Audio Options. If there are different versions of the audio, try to pick the stereo version, instead of the multichannel.

I believe that programs such as VLC can be used to convert multichannel to two-channel, but haven't tried it. Too much fiddling required for my taste!

I think the sync cable is broken, at one end it was possible to open up the miniplug and I checked the cables/connections and everything seemed fine, the other end is plastic moulded to the connector, so it's not possible to check it, however there is a crack in the plastic/rubber insulation! If I twist the cable slightly I can see the individual cables inside, so I think it might be broken...?

Damn.

You may have a short, then. Strange, they're usually quite good, the B&O cables. Well, you should notice a difference with and without, maybe your dealer has a replacement, sometimes they order more than one when they get an order for an item.

Good luck.