"Walney" wrote in message
...

As someone who is not up-to-date on the newer technologies, I should
be very grateful if somebody could enlighten me as to the definition
and application of optical output.


An optical output is an alternative to an electrical digital output. The
digital signal is transmitted as a pattern of pulses of light via optical
fibre to the optical input of another component. Typically the audio output
of a CD player or a DVD player could be transmitted via an optical digital
output to an AV amplifier.

David.