Audio Passthrough?

[Mr.Huggles]

I'm trying to upgrade my computer system and running into a difficult problem.  Monitors don't have audio out better than single channel.  I've got a set up some would call a home theatre pc that is used for console gaming and videos from a ps3 and not having the option to hook both the console and pc into a good monitor while still using the speaker bar is proving to be a real pain in the gluteus maximus.  I'm thinking I could get an HDMI splitter and run that into a new speaker that has Arc HDMI Out and run that part into a monitor, but i'm not sure if that's actually something that would work.  I could use some advice in how to resolve this without having to turn to another TV when a Monitor is something i'd much more prefer.

[GoldenSound]

Firstly, does your console not have a separate audio out? I would assume most consoles will have a secondary audio output option.

If not, then yeah you'll need an HDMI audio extractor such as this http://amzn.eu/d/gDl2hmi

[ninbura]

8 hours ago, Mr.Huggles said:

I'm trying to upgrade my computer system and running into a difficult problem.  Monitors don't have audio out better than single channel.  I've got a set up some would call a home theatre pc that is used for console gaming and videos from a ps3 and not having the option to hook both the console and pc into a good monitor while still using the speaker bar is proving to be a real pain in the gluteus maximus.  I'm thinking I could get an HDMI splitter and run that into a new speaker that has Arc HDMI Out and run that part into a monitor, but i'm not sure if that's actually something that would work.  I could use some advice in how to resolve this without having to turn to another TV when a Monitor is something i'd much more prefer.

Bit confused, what monitor and soundbar do you have?

How is the PC connected to the soundbar?

[Mr.Huggles]

6 hours ago, GoldenOne said:

Firstly, does your console not have a separate audio out? I would assume most consoles will have a secondary audio output option.

If not, then yeah you'll need an HDMI audio extractor such as this http://amzn.eu/d/gDl2hmi

The console has can use either analogue audio (has 5 or so plugs for it and not sure how to use them) and a single Digital Audio connector (SPDIF or whatever the abbreviation).

[Mr.Huggles]

3 hours ago, TheAgnda said:

Bit confused, what monitor and soundbar do you have?

How is the PC connected to the soundbar?

I'm not using a monitor.  I'm using a tv and i'm trying to replac it while retaining the ability to keep everything plugged into it.

The pc and game console are plugged into the tv's hdmi 1 and 2 ports, while the aduio is sent from the tv to the speaker using a spdif cable.

The speaker only has inputs for multi channel analogue or spdif.

[ninbura]

I'd pick up these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076GDVWG4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/J-Tech-Digital-Extractor-Converter-Passthrough/dp/B074HHSJVN/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1543597756&sr=8-6&keywords=hdmi+2.0+switch+with+audio+out

Run whatever you want into the switch, through the audio extractor and then into the monitor, the extractor gives you analog and digital audio output. You can find a switch that handles both the function of switching and audio extraction but I have yet to find one that has proper EDID functionality, I run this combo for my consoles / a few other devices and it works perfectly.

Both devices are HDMI 2.0 so you shouldn't run into any bandwidth issues for the foreseeable future. 

[Mr.Huggles]

On 11/30/2018 at 11:11 AM, TheAgnda said:

I'd pick up these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076GDVWG4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/J-Tech-Digital-Extractor-Converter-Passthrough/dp/B074HHSJVN/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1543597756&sr=8-6&keywords=hdmi+2.0+switch+with+audio+out

Run whatever you want into the switch, through the audio extractor and then into the monitor, the extractor gives you analog and digital audio output. You can find a switch that handles both the function of switching and audio extraction but I have yet to find one that has proper EDID functionality, I run this combo for my consoles / a few other devices and it works perfectly.

Both devices are HDMI 2.0 so you shouldn't run into any bandwidth issues for the foreseeable future. 

So a diagram of my set up would look like...

PC and Console > HDMI Switcher > Audio Extractor > TV or Monitor?

Never dealt with an audio extractor before so it's pretty new in concept.  I'm guessing it would continue to carry the video signal out of it's hdmi port while the other ports would just run the audio signal to the speaker i use? (can you tell i'm a huge noob with audio stuff)

[ninbura]

4 hours ago, Mr.Huggles said:

So a diagram of my set up would look like...

PC and Console > HDMI Switcher > Audio Extractor > TV or Monitor?

Never dealt with an audio extractor before so it's pretty new in concept.  I'm guessing it would continue to carry the video signal out of it's hdmi port while the other ports would just run the audio signal to the speaker i use? (can you tell i'm a huge noob with audio stuff)

No problem, and yup that's how it works!

The HDMI signal passed through will still contain the audio signal also, not that that matters in this scenario.

[Mr.Huggles]

19 hours ago, TheAgnda said:

No problem, and yup that's how it works!

The HDMI signal passed through will still contain the audio signal also, not that that matters in this scenario.

Out of curiosity, what do you think of this in place of your two unit combo?  I was looking around to see what other audio extractors there were on the market and came across this interesting combo unit.  Would definitely be cheaper and more space efficient than buying two units.  Seems like it would be a good alternative method.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K7BZ1XC/?coliid=I58JVQRRHJFHW&colid=2DIKXB5PT3BTM&psc=0

[ninbura]

5 hours ago, Mr.Huggles said:

Out of curiosity, what do you think of this in place of your two unit combo?  I was looking around to see what other audio extractors there were on the market and came across this interesting combo unit.  Would definitely be cheaper and more space efficient than buying two units.  Seems like it would be a good alternative method.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K7BZ1XC/?coliid=I58JVQRRHJFHW&colid=2DIKXB5PT3BTM&psc=0

I can't speak for every combo unit but as I mentioned previously, every one that I've tried doesn't have proper EDID functionality. Meaning as you switch between devices the other device still thinks it's connected, and daisy chaining them produces other oddities. Additionally this switch only supports 1080p which may be fine for now, but I think it best to future proof.

All that being said, Amazon has a great return policy, if you find anything doesn't fit your needs you can return it. Basically how I got all my knowledge on switches and extractors, though everything I've tested is 4K60 444.

[Mr.Huggles]

1 hour ago, TheAgnda said:

I can't speak for every combo unit but as I mentioned previously, every one that I've tried doesn't have proper EDID functionality. Meaning as you switch between devices the other device still thinks it's connected, and daisy chaining them produces other oddities. Additionally this switch only supports 1080p which may be fine for now, but I think it best to future proof.

All that being said, Amazon has a great return policy, if you find anything doesn't fit your needs you can return it. Basically how I got all my knowledge on switches and extractors, though everything I've tested is 4K60 444.

hmmm...  food for thought.  thanks for all the input.