what is the optical out?

[wuzzbert]

What is an optical out for on my laptop and how does it work and why is there a red light?

[eaglesrest]

What is an optical out for on my laptop and how does it work and why is there a red light?

It's to connect your laptop up to an external audio device such as a Dolby Digital amplifier.

You use a TOSlink cable to connect the devices and it will carry standard PCM, DD and DTS audio from your laptop to your amp. This means you can then get 5.1/7.1 surround sound if you have the speakers for it.

[wuzzbert]

is it nok to have the light on all the time even though im not using it or should i disable it?

[MattWilson]

One LED will make very little difference to power consuption and there will be no power loss through the output as it is not connected to anything so i really wouldn't worry about it. Probably only affect the battery by 1 minute max from a full charge.

[apierc1]

The red light is the way the data is transfered optically, the beam is passed through the optical cable, it is a bit like a normal jack out, there is always an output, but you only experience it when you connect a device, hence the light is always on.

[if you go into an electrical store you may be able to get a rubber plug/gromit that can sit in the hole while not in use]