Even if it is set as default or not, and when testing, although Windows shows that it outputs to it, nothing is heard.

Unless I am mistaken, the port should have a red light (it is optical, so how would it function if it doesn't light up?).

On a G74SX, as is the case with the G75VX, the headphone jack doubles as the spdif output, with optical connection. On the G74SX, it is always lit red.

There should indeed always be a red light emanating from that port when the unit is on. So if there's not, then I forget if there's an option to disable it in the BIOS/UEFI, but that would be one thing to check. Other than that, the only possibilities coming to mind at the moment involve needing an RMA. Maybe someone else will think of something I didn't.

I am just hoping that I missed out on something. Returning it due to manufacture defect seems like a pity, considering it is only 4 days old.

LE: An idea struck me and just uninstalled the Realtek driver, and restarted. Now it works. I am guessing there is probably some incompatibility between the OS and the latest version of the driver that is on the ASUS G75VX support page. Either that, or I was just plain unlucky. I hate it when software/hardware doesn't work for no apparent reason.

So if anyone else has this problem with the Realtek driver and software utility installed, just try and use the default driver that windows provides. It is interesting to note a few things:

a) WontonNoodle was also correct, as without the toslink jack inserted, the unit DOES NOT activate the spdif red led for transmission. It seems to have a contact based sensor. So nothing connected, no light.

b) Driver was actually controlling the output. It is not always on, as on the previous G74 model.

Thanks to both WontonNoodle and cl-scott for their input.

Thread can marked as SOLVED. If I can do it, someone point me in the right direction 😄