[SOLVED] Why no audio connecting HTPC to HDTV?

[bovinda]

I can't figure out what's up with my audio. I'm running my HTPC to my Samsung LN52A650 via DVI-->HDMI (to HDMI 2), and I've got my audio going from my mobo via a 1/8"-to-phono plugs (red and white) to the audio jacks for HDMI 2. I'm getting no sound at all.

The TV and the HTPC are not muted.

When I connect the cable to headphones, they work; but no sound from the TV. The TV gets sound from other inputs okay, but won't from my HTPC.

Is there a setting I'm missing somewhere? What am I doing wrong?

EDIT: My hardware is a FoxConn P35A mobo (with integrated audio), video is MSI 8600 GT, using NVidia driver release 178, I believe.

UPDATE 12/18: Got an external SPDIF --> internal SPDIF pin on vid card cable today, installed it, now audio is working fine. There must have been something about my vid card telling the TV to not output sound when I had it hooked up via HDMI (I assume). Anyway, glad it's working now, and I have full picture settings available. Thanks for the help, everyone!

 

[Jugernot]

Are you sure the sound input you are using is connected to the HDMI 2 input (not physically, but in the TV itself)? I've seen a few displays that don't have sound inputs for HDMI inputs.....

Check to make sure the input work at all. Hook a CD player upto it or something else that you know will output audio over RCA. Don't try to hook a HDMI dvd player upto it as the audio may go over the HDMI and you won't be able to see if it outputs from the RCA.

 

[bovinda]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
Are you sure the sound input you are using is connected to the HDMI 2 input (not physically, but in the TV itself)? I've seen a few displays that don't have sound inputs for HDMI inputs.....

Check to make sure the input work at all. Hook a CD player upto it or something else that you know will output audio over RCA. Don't try to hook a HDMI dvd player upto it as the audio may go over the HDMI and you won't be able to see if it outputs from the RCA.

I've triple-checked that everything on the TV is plugged into the right place, and did so again just now, just in case - it all looks good.

For comparison, the only thing I have that puts out RCA is my XBox. I plugged it in to the audio jacks only (and took out the HDMI cable from HDMI 2), and no audio came through. I don't know if this is because the XBox won't play without a picture, or the TV won't play audio unless it detects something in the video (the screen kept the "Check inputs" message up the whole time), or something's wrong with the TV.

I don't have a pure CD player anymore, unfortunately, just to test out. Any other ideas...?

 

[bovinda]

I might've found a way to connect my video card to the SPDIF sound of my mobo, except I don't have a cable for it to try it. Anyone know where I can get either an internal or external SPDIF cable...? I can't seem to find one on NewEgg or Frys...

 

[rdp6]

You can probably find any cables you need at monoprice.com
I don't doubt you can get your HTPC to work; see page 19 of your owner's manual:
http://downloadcenter.samsung....-01599A-02L02-0418.pdf

Name the device connected to the input jacks to make your input source selection easier.
1. Press the MENU button to display the menu.
Press the ? or ? button to select ?Input?, then press the ENTER button.
Press the ? or ? button to select ?Edit Name?, then press the ENTER
button.
2. Press the ? or ? button to select ?AV1?, ?AV2?, ?S-Video?, ?Component1?,
?Component2?, ?PC?, ?HDMI1?, ?HDMI2/DVI?, ?HDMI3?, ?HDMI4? input jack,
then press the ENTER button.
3. Press the ? or ? button to select ?VCR?, ?DVD?, ?Cable STB?,
?Satellite STB?, ?PVR STB?, ?AV Receiver?, ?Game?, ?Camcorder?, ?PC?,
?TV?, ?IPTV?, ?Blu-Ray?, ?HD DVD?, ?Digital Media Adapter? input source, then
press the ENTER button.
Press the EXIT button to exit.
When a PC with a resolution of 1920 x 1080@60Hz is connected to the
HDMI IN 2 port, you should set the ?HDMI2/DVI? mode to ?PC? in the ?Edit
Name? of the ?Input? mode.

With my tv (last year's sammy) it is the same but the connection is to HDMI1. Use the audio connection you mentioned in your original post.
Enjoy!

Bob

 

[bovinda]

I suppose renaming it to PC may let me then use the audio...I'll give it a try. The only reason I'd like to avoid renaming it "PC" is that it loses some of the abilities to adjust the picture. Thus, I think getting audio through the HDMI might be the preferred choice.

Only I can't seem to find anywhere to get the cable I need...checked Monoprice, they don't seem to have it...good thought though...I'll report back if renaming it to PC fixes the audio.

 

[rdp6]

I'm with you, it sucks that many settings are grayed out. But the picture is much improved, and audio is nice, too. Front Row is truly excellent on the big screen.

 

[bovinda]

Got an external SPDIF --> internal SPDIF pin on vid card cable today, installed it, now audio is working fine. There must have been something about my vid card telling the TV to not output sound when I had it hooked up via HDMI (I assume). Anyway, glad it's working now, and I have full picture settings available. Thanks for the help, everyone!

 

[Spook]

Can you give me more info on that cable, I think I'll need one as well. all my searches on SPDIF cables turn up the wrong kinds of cables.

Using an Asus P5E MB(it has a header), and a 9500GT, which has a header as well.

Thanks
Spook

 

[bovinda]

Originally posted by: Spook
Can you give me more info on that cable, I think I'll need one as well. all my searches on SPDIF cables turn up the wrong kinds of cables.

Using an Asus P5E MB(it has a header), and a 9500GT, which has a header as well.

Thanks
Spook

I ended up having to go through MSI to get the cable. Mine was an external-->internal cable, to connect the external SPDIF jack from the mobo to the 2-pin SPDIF-in on my vid card. It sounds like you need the internal-->internal type? I contacted MSI's tech-support and they hooked me up with the cable for like $10 after shipping; it was the same price for the internal-->internal. I wasn't able to find it anywhere else.