We have been sourcing mini-optical jacks for our wireless audio project and noticed that the usual distributors no longer carry them. It seems the main Japanese supplier, Sharp, no longer manufactures any optical audio jacks. I don't think this is because the interface has fallen out of favor, but more to do with the economy. Currently, it appears the mini-optical audio jacks are only available directly from Chinese manufacturers, which makes prototyping 'fun.'

Does anynone know why this is the case and a good reliable source to acquire them? We received some Chinese samples (at considerable shipping expense)which were okay except the receivers don't work at all!

Thanks,
Stu

Hmmm, let me see what I can find. Just optical or electrical+optical?

Well yes, optical + electrical (is there any other kind of mini optical jack?). It turns out the datasheet for the Chinese samples we got was incorrect and resulted in us frying our samples! A Chinese company calling themselves Edison-Opto claims to do business with Apple. Maybe that is where the optical minijacks on the current iMacs come from? Weird thing is that there are a number of Chinese vendors that all sell the same products and all claim to be the manufacturer.

Thanks,
Stu

It turns out the company we were getting samples from sent us the wrong datasheet then sent us the correct one which they indicated had the correct pinout but failed to indicate that the operating voltage had also moved outside the usable range. So after pulling my hair out, it was too low a supply voltage all along.

Hugo, did you find out where Apple gets it's mini-optical jacks?

Thanks,
Stu

I can't really help on that specifically I'm afraid. Looking at my macbook, the part would be very custom anyway as it's hiding behind a significant amount of aluminium

It's also an almost impossible thing to google for I've found!

Who makes the one you have?

Ours are made by Aixin Opto-electrical. I think if we can ever get past the language barrier we can get some decent parts out of them. It took two sets of samples before they realized we needed 3.3 volt receivers and not 5 volt!

You are right it is hard to find the parts on Google. I can't remember how we found them originally but it was some combination of part description and the Japanese standard for the connector, JIS C6500.

Thanks,
Stu