[Loud_TIGER]

for some reason, my optical out light (the bright red beam) keeps blinking and flickering on and off. i dont think this is supposed to happen... the output on my dvd drive is a solid, unwavering beam. does anyone know the possible reason for this? this is the optical out port on my SoundBlaster Live, from the LiveDrive bay. could it be a power issue?

 

[planar]

Your SB Live may be generating digital signal from "wavetable data". E.g. the warning sound of Windows when you try to do something the computer doesn't allow you to do at that moment.

Some soundcard can output these wave signal digitally via available digital output formats (in your case this would the the optical output).

That could be the reason.

The DVD Player is constantly sending signal outward, so you will see a contant red light beam out from the terminal. Actually that also blinks but in very very high frequency and out nake eye can not see them.