Why can't I connect sound via hdmi? How to output sound via HDMI: away with unnecessary wires

16.09.2019 Errors

We all love to watch good films. And if earlier, at the beginning of the week, we would pore over the program schedule, circling the points that interested us, afraid of missing out on something interesting, but today the Internet allows us to select the program independently, to the taste of each of us at any time.

This is very convenient, but watching movies on small monitors does not bring as much joy as on large TV screens. Therefore, these devices began to be combined into one home theater system. But it often happens that when connecting a laptop or personal computer to a TV, a problem arises, and after connecting there is no sound through the hdmi cable.

The main purpose of this material will be to identify the cause of the malfunction and consider some ways to eliminate this problem. But first, let's figure out what an HDMI cable is: in what cases it is worth using, in what cases it is not necessary, and how to connect correctly (see).

HDMI cable

HDMI is a modern standard cable designed for high-speed transmission of high-quality digital audio and video signals:

The cable design features protect the transmitted information from possible copying, but this is more of an informational addition that is not useful to the average user.
Before HDMI, a DVI cable was used to transmit a digital signal, which is still used today when connecting computer equipment, but unlike its predecessor, HDMI has more compact dimensions and is capable of transmitting sound, which contributed to the rapid introduction of this standard into consumer electronics.
These cables are used to connect not only computers to the TV, but also: projectors, photo and video cameras, DVD and Blu-Ray players, satellite receivers, modern game consoles and other digital equipment.

Advice! If the paired devices in your multimedia system have HDMI outputs, but for some reason you never used them, then be sure to purchase this cable. You will immediately notice the difference in image quality with the naked eye.

Cable types and properties

What is remarkable about this standard is the full compatibility of cables of different generations. But, nevertheless, each model has its own characteristics, which distinguish it from its predecessors.

All cables produced today differ in manufacturing standards. That is, in fact, we have several types of HDMI:

Standard (Standard) - a model that supports video transmission with a resolution of 720p or 1080i. The maximum throughput is 4.9 Gbps, and the color depth is 24 bits. In fact, it is a budget solution, since the price for a 1.5 m cable does not exceed 300 rubles. Suitable for most undemanding users, or when connecting devices that are not capable of producing a higher quality picture (receiver, DVD, etc.)
High Speed) - has a throughput of 10.2 Gbit/s, and supports 48-bit color. Goes well with 3D and Deep Color technologies. It has a reverse audio channel for data transmission without using an S\PDIF connection. It is used when connecting to high-speed devices such as Blu-Ray, as it is capable of producing images with a resolution of up to 4K (4096x2160 pixels).
Standard with Ethernet— this cable is similar to the first one on our list, but has a separate channel for transmitting data via Ethernet (Internet connection). Like any Internet cable, it provides bidirectional data transfer at speeds of up to 100 Mbit/sec. Another difference from the standard version is support for reverse audio channel.
High Speed with Ethernet— we think everyone has already guessed about the capabilities of this model. It’s only worth noting that it has maximum capabilities for cables version 1.4 (we’ll talk about versions below).
Standard Automotive- a very specific cable, which is mainly used by professionals when connecting devices that transmit HDMI signals to a car multimedia system.

Attention! It makes sense to use Ethernet-enabled cables only when both connected devices support this technology. In this case, you can not only organize a high-speed Internet connection, but also transfer content to other connected devices.

HDMI cable versions

The listed types are not the only criterion by which HDMI cables differ. The development of a unified digital standard began with such eminent companies as Sony, Phillips, Thompson, Hitachi and others. The result of the joint efforts of these companies was the HDMI cable version 1.0, which was released back in 2002.

This development became a breakthrough in the world of electronics, and very soon it firmly occupied its niche, gradually displacing all other connection formats.
The advantages of the new product include not only a new level and image quality, but also ease of connection - one cable replaced entire bundles of wires, which is especially noticeable when connecting speaker systems with multi-channel sound.
Over time, the HDMI format received a new impetus for development. Developers began to produce more advanced versions of wires, giving them new functions and capabilities. But, what’s especially nice is not forgetting to keep new versions compatible with old devices.

Today, the most advanced version is cable version 2.0, the capabilities of which are disproportionately higher than those of its “first ancestor”. This standard incorporates all the advantages of previous versions.

Now HDMI wires can not only transmit images and sound of the highest quality, but also, for example, control consumer electronics, transmit a 3D signal, connect TV to the Internet, synchronize video and audio streams, and much more.

Advice! If you are interested in the complete specifications for all versions of HDMI cables, then look for tables and diagrams on the Internet. If possible, we will try to post this information on our website as soon as possible.

Types of connectors and cable lengths

Despite the general trend towards standardization, the use of any connection format cannot remain unchanged. This fact is due to the fact that most modern electronic devices have become noticeably smaller, moreover, powerful smartphones, tablets and compact computers have become firmly established in our lives, which led to the development of new standards that could allow them to be connected to TVs.

As a result, new types of HDMI cables were developed and released, with specific plugs, for certain types of tasks and devices.

According to the new specification, their number was five, which were coded in capital letters of the Latin alphabet:

Type A (Standard)— this designation was given to the first connector that we discussed earlier;
Type B- less popular than the previous type, although it has an expanded channel for transmitting video with a resolution of 1080p;
Type C and D- mini and micro connectors, respectively. In essence, they are a smaller copy of type “A”, and are designed to connect compact digital equipment (tablets, laptops, etc.);
Type E— the connector design has a special lock that secures the cable in the socket. Most often, it is used in automotive systems subject to constant shaking and vibration.

One more important information can be extracted from the specifications for HDMI cables - the length of all cables is strictly regulated. The minimum wire size is 0.75 meters and the maximum is 10 meters.

If you are offered a larger version 1.4 cable, then remember that this option is not regulated by standards, and most likely it will not be able to produce a picture of the required quality. This means that those who like to buy wires with a reserve will not be able to roam around here, because when connected, such HDMI will lose and distort the signal.

But don’t think that cable size is the only thing that affects picture quality. This factor also depends on the material from which the wire is made. Also, the thickness of the cores also affects - in higher-speed models, they are larger in diameter. But if you still need to run the cable over a long distance, then consider using a signal amplifier that will prevent you from losing it.

Summarizing this chapter, we emphasize that the use of expensive metals in production greatly affects the final cost of the product. For example, there are models whose price exceeds 7 - 8 thousand rubles. Therefore, when choosing a cable, you must first focus on your needs. We'll tell you how to do this further.

Choosing an HDMI cable

We cannot say with complete confidence that this material is a complete instruction for choosing a cable. Rather, these are a few tips and notes that may be useful to you when purchasing, and not become a victim of some unscrupulous seller.

Let's start with the fact that, despite the specification requirements, HDMI cables can be significantly longer than the values mentioned above. But it is worth knowing some features of its design.
As already mentioned, a cable that is too long loses the signal and distorts it at the output. To prevent this from happening, use HDMI equalizers (amplifiers), or use a specially designed unidirectional cable that has a built-in repeater that replaces a separate amplifying device. In addition, the cross-sectional diameter of the conductors of such cables must be larger than that of standard ones.
There is some unspoken standard for the ratio of lengths and diameters of the conductor: 5 m - 28 AWG (0.321 mm); 10 m - 26 AWG (0.405 mm); 15 m - 24 AWG (0.511 mm); 20 m - 22 AWG (0.644 mm), etc.
AWG is an American wire sizing standard in which larger numbers mean smaller wire diameter. This is the marking that occurs most often, but for convenience we have added values in the usual mm.

It’s unlikely that anyone will argue with the fact that the spacious screen of a high-quality digital TV is better suited for watching high-definition movies and computer games than a small laptop or desktop PC monitor.

That is why many users connect these two devices with a special cable that can transmit picture and sound.

And here some people have a problem - they don’t know how to set up sound via HDMI. If you also encounter this problem, use the tips from this article.

Reasons why there is no sound on the TV

The computer or laptop does not recognize your TV's speakers as a playback device and continues to play through the speakers/headphones connected to the sound card.
Physical malfunction of the equipment. The sound card itself, the connectors on it, the connector on the TV, and even the HDMI cable may be damaged (the latter are often supplied not of the best quality, with a defective contact base).
Incorrect TV and PC settings. In order for the sound to be transmitted without distortion, everything needs to be configured correctly on both sides. The connection does not always work with standard settings.

Setting up and testing sound in Windows

Before you can play sound via HDMI (or any sound, really), you first need to install specialized software on your system.

As a rule, modern versions of Windows install the necessary drivers by default, but finer tuning is possible only after installing the “native drivers” on the sound card.

Usually a suitable version is included on a disk with the motherboard if the card is integrated. As a last resort, you can download the current installer from the manufacturer's website.

When the driver is installed, check it - you can start a movie or music track, making sure the quality of the signal transmission and that it is supplied to all the speakers of the connected device.

In the driver settings (the manager shortcut is usually located on the taskbar, near the clock), set the desired audio system type and play with the equalizer sliders to achieve a comfortable sound transmission level.

Checking the sound on your TV

This may seem trivial and obvious, but the user should check the TV itself by turning on a channel or playing a file from another connected device.

Modern TVs are smart devices - the number of sound settings they usually have is not limited to the volume control.

Often the computer is not automatically detected as a signal source, so you need to go to the audio options menu on the TV itself and select HDMI (computer) as the source.

Also make sure that in the settings profile all volume parameters are set to acceptable values and that no silent mode is enabled.

If there is a Smart mode, in which the TV itself controls the sound level, it is also better to turn it off.

Checking the health of the sound driver

If you cannot play sound via HDMI on your TV, this may indicate a missing or faulty driver installed on your computer.

Diagnosing this problem is quite simple, you just need to follow the following path:

The presence of an exclamation mark next to the component name indicates a malfunction, and if the device is not in the list, the driver is not installed at all. The problems listed above can be solved quite simply.

Installing the HDMI Driver

Many users, when installing drivers for a video card, uncheck the boxes next to optional components, and then are sincerely surprised why HDMI does not transmit sound to the TV.

For example, the manufacturer Nvidia has additional software called “HDMI Audio Driver”.

It is not necessary to completely reinstall the software - just download the required component separately from the manufacturer's website. AMD also has similar solutions with their ATI Radeon cards.

Alternative option– use of third-party software like Driver Booster, Driver Pack Solution and their analogues.

Such programs scan the system, identify connected devices and automatically offer to download drivers compatible with computer hardware.

This is one of the best and simplest options.

Update sound drivers

To update the drivers already installed in the system for a specific device, you can use the task manager (we already discussed how to get into it above).

Find the one you need in the list of sound devices, right-click on it and select “Update” from the drop-down list.

A similar function is present in driver management programs.

On the other hand, it is better to spend a little more time and perform a clean installation, completely removing the old drivers.

This will help avoid transferring old settings and possible problems to the new version. Remove the software responsible for sound not only from the Control Panel

Checking device functionality

When there is no doubt about the serviceability of the drivers and equipment, all that remains is to make sure that they are configured correctly:

It also happens that it is not displayed in the list of playback devices.

Then it can help to right-click on any of the available devices in the list and check the box next to “show disabled and disconnected devices.”

If the manipulations help, simply turn on the desired speakers, and turn off the current ones to avoid conflict.

The SDMI standard is not compatible with older TVs and video cards.

Many people mistakenly believe that to successfully connect a TV to a computer they will only need to buy a cable with an HDMI-DVI or HDMI-VGA adapter, but in this case only the image will be transmitted.

But with the Display Port standard, it is quite possible to reproduce sound via HDMI, since it has all the necessary contacts.

In the video driver settings there are also items responsible for connecting audio devices via HDMI.

Nvidia, for example, has a “Digital Audio Installation” item in its Control Panel. Here you can select your TV as the output device.

So, check not only the settings of the sound drivers of the audio card, but also the settings of the video card.

HDMI: why is there no sound?

Today, when connecting a computer or laptop to a TV using an HDMI cable, users often complain about the lack of sound. In most cases, there is a solution to this common problem, you just need to be aware of it. In this article we will talk about why there is no sound via HDMI and how to fix this problem.

Step-by-step instructions for setting up sound

So, you first need to make sure that your computer or laptop is properly connected to the TV. That is, your image is transmitted well, and the sound on the TV works. Check it again with the remote control for volume. When everything is correct, but the problem remains, follow these instructions:

On your computer or laptop, go through the “Start” button to the “Control Panel”.
In the panel, you should find a section called “Hardware and Sound” and enter it.
In it you will see the “Sound” section, which we need. In cases where you cannot find this item, you can use the search in the Start menu. To do this, write “sound” in the search line, and your OS itself will give you the desired section in the “Control Panel”.
After entering the “Sound” section, a window should appear in which you will see four tabs - “Playback”, “Recording”, “Sounds” and “Communication”.
We are interested in the first item - “Playback”, which makes it possible to select the device whose parameters need to be changed. It displays the audio devices where the sound is transmitted.
If there is no sound through the HDMI cable on the TV, then in this window, as a rule, there is a green icon in front of the “Speakers” item. And this is the reason for the lack of sound, since the sound is not transmitted to your TV through a cable, but goes to the speakers of your laptop or computer.
To correct the situation, select “Digital Audio (HDMI)” in the same window, and then click on the “Default” function.
Now, opposite the “Digital Audio (HDMI)” section, the same green icon that you initially saw in front of the “Speakers” item will appear. This means that the sound will already pass through the cable to the TV.
For the changes to take effect, you must select the “OK” button and close the window.

If these manipulations do not return sound, there may be another reason.

TV settings

Modern TVs are capable of reproducing sound from different sources, for which their designs provide appropriate audio connectors. These include TRS (standard connectors, like on a computer), CVBS (composite connector), "Y/Pb/Pr" (three-component RCA), SCART (European standard for connecting multimedia devices) and, of course, HDMI - digital transmission interface video and audio signals via a digital communication channel.

No matter how many audio inputs are provided on the TV, only one of them can be used at a time. Which audio channel the TV receiver will receive sound from is specified in its settings. If you want sound to come from the HDMI input, you should set the appropriate operating mode in the TV settings.

This is not difficult to do: on most TVs, you can get to the sound settings from the main menu. All you need to do is specify the HDMI input as the audio source. If everything is normal, the TV receiver will immediately begin to play the audio stream coming from the computer.

Windows Playback Device Settings

Several audio playback devices (audio outputs) can be connected to the same computer at the same time. These can be not only externally connected devices (for example, additional audio cards), but also those built into the motherboard. Their list also includes the HMDI interface, through which not only a video image can be transmitted, but also sound.

Without the use of special programs, Windows operating systems are only able to reproduce sound through one audio output. For example, if a regular analog output is selected as the default playback device, then the sound will be transmitted through it. Typically, Windows automatically detects which audio output is connected to external equipment - speakers, TV, etc. The system then sets it as the default audio device. However, for various reasons this may not happen.

The solution to this problem is to manually reconfigure Windows audio settings. All that is required is to use the HDMI interface as the main audio playback device:

Turn on your TV and connect it to the HDMI port on your computer.
Open Windows Control Panel and go to Hardware and Sound.
Click on the "Sound" element and the Windows audio settings window will open.
Go to the "Playback" tab.
All audio playback devices available on the computer will be displayed on the screen.
Next, you need to find the device responsible for transmitting sound through the HDMI output. Usually its name corresponds to the brand of the connected TV, for example, “LG”, “Samsung” or “Philips”. HDMI output can also be referred to as “HD Audio HDMI out”, “High Definition Audio”, etc.
Right-click on the HDMI device icon, then select "Set as Default".
If everything is normal, sound will immediately start coming from the TV speakers.
If you have multiple playback devices in your Windows audio settings, try turning them on by default one at a time until the TV starts playing audio from your computer.

If there are no HDMI outputs in the list of available playback devices, follow the instructions:

Right-click on an empty area of the settings window and check the “Show disconnected devices” and “Show disconnected devices” checkboxes.
If the HDMI devices are functioning normally, their names should appear in the list.
Pay attention to the inscription under the names of the displayed devices. If it says "Disabled", right-click on the corresponding icon, then select "Enable".
Now all that remains is to check the “Set as default” checkbox on the device you just turned on.

If the icons of the displayed devices display the message “Not currently available,” the problem may be a driver problem or a hardware problem with the HDMI cable, HDMI connector on your computer, or TV.

Driver problems

The HDMI output on a computer can be built-in or be part of an externally connected or integrated (as in laptops, for example) video card. In the second case, to transmit audio and video through this interface, you must have a video card driver installed on your computer. If the HDMI output has a built-in design, this means that for it to work you will need a separate driver from the HDMI controller. In addition, there are also externally connected HDMI controllers, but we will not consider them in this article.

In any case, problems with the HDMI driver can lead to a lack of sound on external devices connected to the computer, in our case, the TV. Putting the driver in order is a rather painstaking undertaking; it is easier to install it again. But first it is better to remove the existing software:

Press the "Win+R" keys on your keyboard, then enter "devmgmt.msc" without quotes in the window that opens and click the "OK" button.
The Device Manager window will appear on the screen.
Open the "Sound, Game and Video Devices" section.
Among the displayed items, you should find an HDMI audio playback device. There may be several of them.

The image above is an example of HDMI devices that are a component of an NVIDIA graphics card. Whatever version the HDMI interface has, “High Definition Audio” will appear in its name.
Now you need to remove the HDMI device (or all) by right-clicking on it and selecting the “Remove device” menu item.
Please note that the "Audio, Game and Video Devices" section may also list other audio playback devices (such as "VIA HD Audio" in the image above). There is no need to delete them.

After removing devices from the system, you can begin installing a new driver. If your computer has a built-in HDMI controller, then you should look for a driver for it on the website of the motherboard or laptop manufacturer. But in most modern PCs, the HDMI interface is an integral part of the video card, even when it comes to laptops. Therefore, the appropriate driver must be installed. It can be found on the video card manufacturer's website. Here are the instructions for installing the NVIDIA video adapter driver:

Go to the website http://www.nvidia.ru.
Open the "Drivers" section in the top menu of the page.
In the "NVIDIA Driver Downloads" section, find the required driver by selecting the appropriate items in the drop-down menus - "Product Type", "Series", "Family", etc.
If you do not know the name of the installed video card, follow the link http://www.nvidia.ru/object/gpureader-faq-ru.html. Follow all the instructions on the page and the site will automatically select the required driver.
Install the video card driver, along with it the software necessary for the HDMI audio device will be installed.

For video cards of the AMD family, drivers can be downloaded from the link https://support.amd.com/ru-ru/download.

Hardware faults

If manipulations with Windows audio settings and HDMI device drivers do not lead to the desired result, there may be a hardware problem with the computer or the TV itself. The most optimistic scenario is that the HDMI cable is physically damaged. This problem can be easily resolved by simply replacing the cable. If the cause of the problem is damage to the HDMI socket on your computer or TV, it is better to take the equipment for repair. However, a way out of this situation can be found.

In the first chapter of the article, it was mentioned that television receivers may also have other inputs for connecting audio playback devices, in this case a computer. If in your case there is a green TRS socket, then you can try using it to transmit sound from the PC to the TV.

To do this, just purchase a TRS extension cable with plugs at both ends:

After connecting the cable, go to the TV settings and select the TRS input as the main connector for receiving audio (how exactly to configure this should be indicated in the TV instructions). On your computer, select a standard audio card as the default audio playback device.

Many music lovers store digital recordings of their favorite tracks on their personal computer, but it is better to listen to them using a modern audio system. An excellent option is surround sound; the subwoofer produces excellent low bass sound. But how to connect so that the sound goes from the laptop to the TV, and then spreads throughout the room through high-quality speakers? There are quite a lot of different ways to solve the question of how to connect sound from a desktop computer or laptop to a TV.

Each household appliance has connectors for connection, the main and quite often used ones are the following.

Multimedia high definition interface, abbreviated as HDMI. Its purpose is to transmit digital video and audio data. Recently, connecting to the World Wide Web through this port and cable has become fashionable.
Digital visual interface or DVI. It is designed to transmit video signals to all modern monitors and LCD TVs.
A video adapter with 15 pins or a subminiature VGA connector transmits the audio signal line by line and is used on all modern television and audio equipment.
Wireless connection or the well-known abbreviation Wi-Fi, which has become firmly established in the lives of modern youth - you can connect to it and transfer data without a cable.
Registered Jack (connector) or RJ45 is a connector for connecting a computer or laptop to household appliances.
A composite RCA connector patented in the early 1940s to switch the sound from the phonograph of that era to an amplifier. It is still used today.

All modern equipment has several connectors of various types in its arsenal to make connections easier. Connected through these connectors, or other digital media, is ideally combined with the TV for exchanging information.

Connection options

Today there are a huge number of cables on the market that allow you to connect different types of connectors. Each type of connection has its own characteristics.

This method is considered the most popular because it rarely causes problems and malfunctions, and the quality is at the highest level. A cord of this type is sometimes supplied with digital equipment, and can be purchased retail at any store.

When connecting, you need to turn off the power to the product, connect the cable to the laptop and TV. This connection does not require separate settings; only when you turn it on, specify the source of the audio signal in the TV receiver menu section.

Advice! When buying a cable, do not chase the most expensive analogue - they are all made of the same material, which does not affect the sound range.

During preparation and execution of such a connection, a problem may arise: Go to the laptop settings, select the TV as the audio signal source, and check the “Use as default” box. Also check your video card - it should support similar playback. True, many manufacturers include a special jumper in the package that helps create the connection; this should be displayed in the instructions. In order for the video card on the TV to work properly, you need to update the drivers, but only from the official website.

DVI

This type is used when you need to switch audio from a computer to a TV. There are three main types of such connection:

digital version;
analog method;
a symbiosis of both options.

The only problem is that this connector does not always transmit sound correctly - the reason is the video card of your PC. Experts advise using a special cable such as DVI - HDMI or use a DVI-D to HDMI adapter together with a cable where both connectors are identical, i.e. HDMI type. Such a complex diagram of the entire structure has a very simple explanation - the video signal does not in all cases pass freely and without changes through a cable of this type. In addition, the settings have a more complex system than with the first option.

VGA

Quite an ancient method - it is used rarely and mainly on products of the old layout, where it is not possible to connect modern cables. This connector is always occupied on the system unit by the cord from the monitor, so you also need to purchase a special adapter and an audio playback cord.

The disadvantages include the fact that this outdated cable, connected to products, does not transmit sound according to its characteristics - it is used as an additional element. The option is considered costly in monetary terms, difficult to implement and does not have the necessary quality.

Wireless technologies

Many users often ask the question of how to transfer sound from a home computer to a TV using WI-FI and what needs to be purchased for this. Your TV must have DLNA technology support- an alliance of digital networks located in the home. This modern project allows the user to solve all problems - download any applications and updates, receive and transmit video images, digital music and distribute it among compatible home devices.

Today, every flat-panel TV of the plasma model family is equipped with such functionality, so this method of data transfer is an alternative to an HDMI cable.

The settings are not complicated, but to perform them you need to buy a high-quality router, running in DHCP system- technology that allows you to automatically assign an IP address to any device. When you are convinced that the TV is equipped with a special module, proceed with the step-by-step setup.

We configure the router to operate in the mode. In this case, it is necessary to set very strong password(at least 10-12 characters) to protect the device from unauthorized entry.
In the TV menu, look for the “Wireless Connection” section, find your network and enter it.
To transfer sound from a laptop to TV, you need to install on your PC/laptop media server program, then use it to open access to the necessary virtual media in which the music is stored.
To switch sound from a PC, you need to open a previously installed program and select “Internet” as the playback source in the TV settings.

Experts attribute a significant load on the local home network to the disadvantages of this type of connection - this can affect the Internet speed.

RJ45 network cable

This type of cable in the retail network is sold as “ twisted pair" For such a connection, the TV must support data transmission technology similar to the previous option. Additionally, you need to purchase a router, which leads to a slower connection speed - you need another network card. The setup is similar to a wireless network.

PC+TV via RCA

This method is useful for connecting outdated models of PCs, laptops and TVs, to which modern cables simply will not fit. Experts call this connection type "tulip"", the cord may have two or three connectors, each of which is responsible for transmitting specific data or signal. Standard marking:

yellow plug - video signal;
white is the left channel of the stereo audio signal;
red color - right channel.

Professional masters advise using the HDMI option or a wireless connection; in second place is an RJ45 cable, because only these options can provide high-quality output sound and exceptional reliability.

Some connection options can be seen in the attached video: