3.5 mm to RCA problems

[birhtnoth83]

Hi guys,

I've got a bit of strange one here that's really had me scratching my head. I've got an old netbook that I've decided to set up as a file server/HTPC. I've got a 3.5 mm to RCA plug going through through a 3-way RCA switch to the TV. I've got a Wii and a DVD player going through the RCA switch as well. When I hook the laptop up through the RCA swich, I get no sound. When I hook it up directly to the TV, I get sound just fine. However, the Wii and DVD player have sound going through the RCA switch, regardless of which channel they are on. I'm not sure which component is killing my sound. I was just wondering if any of you guys had dealt with something like this before.

Thanks!

 

[richaron]

I'd guess your computer is not registering a device plugged in. Usually it auto detects & confirms a device before enabling output. I vaugely recall options to disable this, but have never done it myself..

 

[birhtnoth83]

Thanks for the reply. I believe the laptop registers that there is cable plugged in for two reasons:

-The speakers are disabled.
-Sound does come out of the TV when I plug the computer directly into the TV, bypassing the RCA switch.

This second point would seem to suggest that the switch is faulty, but the Wii and DVD player work just fine on all three of the switch's channels.