Any idea how to force audio output device?

[alfa147x]

I currently have my Mac Mini as a HTPC but when ever my receiver is off it no longer detects it as an audio output source then switches to internal speakers.

It's not too big of an issue since Plex is setup for HDMI out but it's menu sounds don't work unless I go to system preferences and select HDMI for audio.

Any ideas?


Thanks!

 

[TheStu]

If you hold alt and click on the volume icon in the menubar it lets you choose the output.

 

[alfa147x]

If you hold alt and click on the volume icon in the menubar it lets you choose the output.

Right but that's the same as change the settings in system pref. I'm trying to keep it always as hdmi. We don't have a keyboard and mouse hooked up to it. Apple remote or we remote in using iPad or computer. That's not always convenient.

 

[TheStu]

Oh, I get what you're saying, sorry, read too quickly the first time.

From the Apple Forums, proceed at your own risk:

More info ~ from Original MBPro forum..
quote:

"Try deleting the com.apple.soundpref.plist from the MAIN LIBRARY -PREFERENCES - (not the users library).
Again in the same PREFERENCES folder I went into the AUDIO folder and deleted com.apple.audio.DeviceSettings.plist and com.apple.audio.SystemSettings.plist"

 

[alfa147x]

Oh, I get what you're saying, sorry, read too quickly the first time.

From the Apple Forums, proceed at your own risk:

Thanks. I'll give it a shot. Back up those files first though. If anything fails I'll be testing out target disk mode. Good thing it's just a htpc

 

[kamikazekyle]

Try soundsource maybe?
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11334/soundsource

I use a USB DAC when "docked", and I wanna say Soundsource can be configured to choose a device by default whenever it's available. It should also be persistent between reboots, especially if the device stays plugged in. It'll also let you redirect system sounds to different devices, which is also sticky (like you're trying to do in your OP). No need to muck with plists.

Oh, I should mention I haven't upgraded to the latest version of OSX, but it should work fine. Once I set it up, it just kinda mulled in the menubar and I forget about it.

 

[vbuggy]

I was about to recommend the same thing but if I'm not mistaken the OS should actually 'recover' the originally set source as well, not just Soundsource. Still, in either case it is marginally quicker than going into the settings to change the source.

 

[pawky]

i tried everything to try fix my 'no output device found' problem.
reinstalled twice even

in the end his technique worked for me

Step One: Open Applications.
Step Two: Find Utilities folder and open.
Step Three: Find the Audio MIDI Setup icon and open.
Step Four: on the MIDI page there will be the IAC Drive. If it Greyed Out, Select and click on “Add Devices”.
Step Five: double click on the IAC Drive, If the word BUS is in this box select and remove.
Step Six: Make sure that the “Device is online” is checked. Your IAC Driver Icon should be all red.
FINALLY RESTART.

I really hope this fixes the problem for others as it's immensely frustrating!

Good luck

 

[Xacos]

Guys,

I'm in a similar pickle:
My Harman Kardon Receiver has stopped responding to the signals from the optical cable comming from my Mac Mini. The solution has been to route the HDMI cable through a decoder box that delivers 6 channel output to the analog direct input on the receiver.
Problem is HDMI is "two-way-conversation". The Mac Mini detects the end point in the chain (the Panasonic Plasma) and decides two channel out is all I''m getting.
Is there any way to "force" the output to be multi channel (5.1)?? I have tried most audio settings available.

All suggestions appreciated