There are two styles of digital audio output ports used on Toshiba computers: fiber optic (750/780/70xx), and coaxial (8000 with Audio-Visual Module). The digital audio port is marked with the word "Digital" next to the port's icon. The style and location of the port is computer model dependant.

Optical Cable

Rectangular Plug on one side and Optical mini plug (round connector) Sony part number is POC-15AB.

The fiber optic port may be integrated with the headphone port. A special connector that can handle either function is used. The connector style is a 3.5mm headphone jack. The mating fiber optic cable has a connector shaped like a 3.5mm headphone plug. The actual fiber runs through the center of, and is exposed at the tip of the plug. The type of the connector at the other end of the fiber optic cable will depend on the size and shape of the input port on the audio equipment.

The coaxial port is an RCA phono jack. This is a very common type of connector, used in audio equipment. When connecting audio equipment to this port, make sure the input port on the audio equipment is marked "digital". The signal from this port may damage the audio equipment if attached to an analogue input port.

Software

The DVD decoder is capable of producing two digital audio signals: PCM, and AC-3/MPEG. The signal method is user selectable.

PCM is an uncompressed stereo soundtrack. Discrete left and right channel information is available.

AC-3/MPEG supports Dolby Digital. Depending on the source (i.e. the DVD movie), up to 5 speakers and a sub-woofer may be connected with discrete sound coming from each. This signal method works only with audio equipment marked as Dolby Digital capable.

To configure the digital audio output port on the computer:

1. Insert the DVD media
2. Open the Toshiba DVD Player software
3. Play DVD title
4. Stop DVD using DVD player software
5. Click on Option command button
6. Click on Setting...
7. (General Tab)
8. Click on Properties command button in DVD Settings frame
9. (Decoder Setting Tab)
10. In the Digital Audio Output frame there are three selections:
11. Disabled (default)
12. PCM
13. AC-3/MPEG
14. Select AC-3/MPEG only if the audio equipment is Dolby Digital capable. Otherwise, select PCM.

Troubleshooting

If the DVD player does not play after installing the DVD player and driver. Try the following:

1. Verify the DVD player is configured for correct drive letter assign to your DVD drive. This can be done by going to the DVD player and clicking on the options button. In the General tab verify the Drive letter matches what the DVD drive is assigned to.
2. Verify that the MPEG driver is installed. This can be done, by going into Device Manager and checking in the "Sound, video and game controller" section, that the "Toshiba Multimedia" driver is installed. If it is not, then remove the "PCI Multimedia device" and install the MPEG driver from the DVD player/DVD driver.

If no sound/no digital signal is played (surround sound, 5.1) is heard, try the following:

1. Verify that the optical cable works. Connect the optical cable to the system. From an angle look at the other end of the cable. Do not look directly into the exposed end. A red light should be on. If is not on, you may possible have a bad cable or a bad port.
2. You may need to change the sound format on the DVD player. This can be done by going into "Options", DVD setting and selecting the corresponding option. AC3 is for Dolby digital (5.1 surround sound). PCM is for stereo, 2 channel.
3. You may need to enable sound on the DVD drive. This can be done by going into the "Volume Control". Then go to the Options, properties and click on (DVD,ZV or Audio). Verify that this option is enabled and not mute.
4. Confirm that your Audio Receiver is configured for surround sound or stereo, depending on what your needs require.

Unable to "Create Video Surface" or "Error Renderfile", try the following:

1. If the video resolution is set to 24 bit change it to 16 bit.
2. Try to reinstall the display driver. -Video is slow or audio choppy.
3. Verify that you are not running in "Low Power". The system should be running in "Full Power". The CPU should be set to "High". Check this if you are running off battery. This will be more common on systems with process slower then 366.