Tindie

tinyToslink - Raspberry Pi Optical Audio

(12 Reviews)

Optical Audio Output for Raspberry Pi

Designed by Beni_Skate, Ships from Austria

tinyToslink - Raspberry Pi Optical Audio 1

tinyToslink - Raspberry Pi Optical Audio 2

tinyToslink - Raspberry Pi Optical Audio 3

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tinyToslink - Raspberry Pi Optical Audio 6

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$26.00

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Kit or Fully Assembled*

Please select if you want a fully assembled and tested board or a DIY kit (for people with good soldering skills)

Include Heat Sink Kit*

Include a self-adhesive copper Heat Sink Kit for the Raspberry Pi (package with 3 pieces)

Include Optical Cable*

Include a optical cable

Include Remote*

Include a small USB remote which works perfect with the Pi

Optical Audio Output for Raspberry Pi

What is it? Optical Audio Output for Raspberry Pi (1A+/1B+/2B/3B/3B+/Zero) (1A/1B could be connected with cables but it doesn't fit directly) Hardware can also be modified to an optical input or S...

What is it?

Optical Audio Output for Raspberry Pi (1A+/1B+/2B/3B/3B+/Zero)
(1A/1B could be connected with cables but it doesn't fit directly)
Hardware can also be modified to an optical input or S/PDIF in-/output with RCA plugs (software for input has been tried by other people and it works, but I can give many infos here)
Hardware is the same like HifiBerry Digi+ but much smaller
Software is included in OpenElec/LibreElec/etc and just needs to be activated (only 1 line in the config.txt)

Why did you make it?

Most TVs can't forward DolbyDigital/DTS 5.1 streams from HDMI to the optical output or HDMI ARC. (They can only output 5.1 streams which are generated by the TV and 5.1 streams which come over HDMI are always converted to a 2.0 stream.)

So I wanted to have a optical output for my RaspberryPi media center (OpenElec/LibreElec) to get the 5.1 stream directly to my 5.1 surround system. (Buying a audio extractor which extracts the audio signal from HDMI would have been also a possibility but most of them cost more than 50USD and there are often problems with HDMI CEC if you use this.)

What makes it special?

Very small and fits in almost any case - only a hole for the connector needs to be made
Pins in the middle are free (e.g. SPI port) - in my case I have a ambilight connected here

Ordering Info

If it is sold out, please just join the waitlist - new boards will be available soon.
DIY Kits for people with good solerding skills (TSSOP and a very small oscillator) are also available.
If you only want a PCB or special parts please just contact me.
Boards as optical input instead of output or analog RCA input/output are also available on request
I also offer additional self-adhesive copper heat sink kits for the Raspberry Pi

Setup Info

OpenElec/LibreElec:

Plug the SD card from the Raspberry Pi into a computer and open the folder
Add 1 line at the end of the config.txt file: dtoverlay=hifiberry-digi
Put the SD card back into the Pi and start it again
Go to Kodi Settings -> Audio
Under Output Device select: ALSA: snd_rpi_hifiberry_digi, S/PDIF
Under Audio Passthrough select also: ALSA: snd_rpi_hifiberry_digi, S/PDIF
In the same menu select also Enable AC3 and Enable DTS if your receiver supports it

If you want to try it with Raspbian or any other distro just search the internet - there are lots of tutorials available for the HifiBerry Digi or PiFy modules (which all use the same drivers).

Warning: Some distributions (for example OpenElec) have an old Kernel which has a Bug in the Pi3 Bluetooth driver and prevents all audio modules from working - in this case Bluetooth must be disabled with an additional overlay file or the Kernel must be upgraded (LibreElec for example already has a newer Kernel and this problem is fixed). This problem is only present on Pi3 and also the same with all other HifiBerry/PyFy modules.

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (4.00)

Documentation: (4.00)

Shipping: (4.00)

Communication: (4.00)

Ivan | May 2, 2019

Excellent HifiBerry digi alternative

I use tinyToslink on my Pi 3B with Volumio as radio streamer/media player for my AVR. Since I only needed to use Toslink as input for my AV Reciever, classic Hifiberry digi seemed a bit too much for me, so this came as a perfect solution.

I ordered a kit, received schematics and datasheets by mail. Instructions and packaging were really clear for my needs, although I would like to know more about the use of the optional components (EEPROM and LED). This is not a downside at all, as I believe that one e-mail to Beni would give you all the information you would need if you opt for the usage of optional components. I placed everything in a Rpi 2B case I had lying around, drilled a hole with a Dremel and it all fits fine.

Communication with Beni was great, I had some questions before purchase which he answered really fast.

All in all, I am really satisfied with tinyToslink and service provided by Beni.

Response from Beni_Skate | May 7, 2019

Thank you for your review :)
For the LED I have to say: I never assembled it so I'm not sure what the driver really does with it.
In the future all Raspberry Pi boards should get a EEPROM which serves as identifier, so that you can just plug it onto the Pi and it will load all drivers, etc. automatically (because the Pi knows what board it is) - currently this is not in use here, but I just wanted to keep it in the layout of the board to be on the safe side.

Xavier | Jan. 9, 2019

Great product

I bought the kit version. My soldering skills are a bit rusty but I managed to do it. As written in the description, the MCU and the oscillator aren't that easy to solder. One thing: the component positions are not always clear from the footprints/silk. I had to do some (minimal) guesswork on a couple resistors, the MCU and the oscillator. Maybe shipping the printed layout could help.

Works fine with my RPI3b+ and Arch Linux ARM with minimal setup (one line in config.txt iirc).

All in all great product, good price, fast shipping and good communication. Thank you!

Response from Beni_Skate | Jan. 9, 2019

Thank you for your review :)
Sorry I forgot to send you schematic and picture of the layout via email (not many people buy the DIY kit) - I'll send it to you immediately.
Best Regards
Benjamin

Kerekes | Dec. 27, 2018

The product is very good.

I use it with RASPLEX and its working without any issue. Just open the config.txt and modified one line and done it.

Jami | Sept. 12, 2018

Amazing product for your optical needs!

Install was easy enough, I'm using a generic case and tinyToslink isn't too obtrusive so it fits there nicely. Edited the configuration file as per instructions and the device shows up in RasPlex, and even better, works!

Now I can enable passthrough and enjoy my sound system at its full potential, instead of the 2.0 channel optical passthrough from the TV.

Great alternative for hifiberry, especially if you only need the optical out and nothing else. Shipping is from inside EU too, so no customs fee or extra tax!

I give it full 5 stars.

Kjetil | Sept. 11, 2018

Fast delivery, easy to install

The Optical audio module is easy to install and set up in PicorePlayer. However it occupies the pins I used for Power supply to the screen so the sceen has to get Power elsewhere. It would have been nice to add a short USB-cable for this purpose or at least have this as an option. The module has been op and going since I installed it so I am very satisfied.

Daniel | Aug. 15, 2018

Easy-to-Build Kit, Well-Supported

I ordered the kit. It shipped quickly from Austria. Documentation was sparse, i.e. the components marked optional were not explained, and the Toslink connector needs to be mounted from the bottom site, unlike the rest of the components, which the creator mentioned via email. That said, simply installing components according to the silkscreen and labeled parts kit will almost certainly work out fine for most people. I was pleased that the creator stated via email that he is open to questions. Easily configured without any special software.

Jens | March 9, 2018

Works as advertised!

Shipping was fast, the adapter technically works exactly as it should. The steps to follow to make it working were easy to handle, but a little difficult to find on the page.
A little drawback: the PCB connector is not soldered 100% even, so that the TOSLINK connector is a bit tilted.

Richard | Jan. 5, 2018

Perfect

I have received tiny toslink within couple of days since I´ve placed an order on tindie site. I was satisfied with proper packaging of tiny toslink to avoid any damage during international post. I have installed it to my Pi 3 board within couple of minutes, but I had a trouble that the strange sound was coming out of the speakers from tinytoslink, so I have decided to contact a seller, to resolve the issue. Seller has responded to me in very short time and indicated that from his experince it seemed to him, that there might be a problem with bluetooth device and/or Kernel, as I was using Kodi OpenElec distribution at that time and he recommended to use Kodi Libreelec which has got newest Kernel. I have installed latest Libreelec on SD card as was recommended by Seller and tinytoslink started to work as a charm. I was really surprised what fantastic audio output it has, (sound is being decoded by my Denon receiver), much, much, much better audio, compared to analogue Pi 3 output. On the other hand seller was very supportive, he has responded within short time and he was very very helpful to resolve the issue. I will give A+++ to seller and to tinytoslink A+++ as well. Thank you.

Response from Beni_Skate | Jan. 5, 2018

Thank you very much! :)

Matti | Jan. 4, 2018

Great value / easy installation.

Did just what promised; optical audio link out from Raspberry without hassle. Website documentation gave enough information to success with installation.

Response from Beni_Skate | Jan. 4, 2018

Thanks for your review.
May I know why you only gave 3.5 stars?
Your comment sounds positive.

Jiri | Nov. 4, 2017

Buy it.

Works great for audio passthrough to my Z906s!

Also:
1) Fits almost any case with some drilling.
2) Setup is almost plug-and-play (I run OSMC)
3) It's cheaper than Hifiberry
4) If you are in Europe you can have it same the same week (cheers to Austria)

Pj | May 18, 2017

Setup for LibreELEC Kodi in Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

Shipping was a bit slow from Austria to UK, but that isn't the vendor's fault. I would also like a wiki or other info. But I am leaving all 5 stars because it's a miracle this product even exists. Buy it!

As mentioned in the product description, Software is included in OpenElec/LibreElec/etc and just needs to be activated, but I had to search to figure it out. Here is a guide for LibreELEC Kodi:

Activate the TOSLINK Driver in LibreELEC

Kodi Settings > LibreELEC > Services > Enable SSH
See footer notes on screen for login and password information.
Login using a terminal. You'll need to add one if using Windows (eg. PuTTY)
Once logged in, issue these commands:
Mount the system in read-write mode:
mount -o remount,rw /flash
Enable tinyToslink in Kodi
echo "dtoverlay=hifiberry-digi" >> /flash/config.txt
Reboot.

Select tinyToslink in Kodi

Kodi Settings > Audio > Output Device:
ALSA: snd_rpi_hifiberry_digi, S/PDIF
Kodi Settings > Audio > Audio Passthrough:
Allow passthrough
Passthrough output device
ALSA: snd_rpi_hifiberry_digi, S/PDIF
Enable AC3
Enable transcoding
Enable DTS (if your speakers do DTS)

Response from Beni_Skate | May 18, 2017

Thanks for the review :)

I'll add some more info on how to set it up to the description.

You don't even need ssh or telnet - if you plug the SD card into a computer you can see the boot partition where the config.txt is located - so you can just add the 1 line on any other PC ;)

Fernando | April 21, 2017