Multi-Display with audio receiver

Diablo050189 · January 2, 2021

My current setup is HDMI out from the PC to the receiver and then to a 1080p TV with a second monitor hooked HDMI Directly to the PC. I am replacing the TV with a 4K HDR TV but my audio receiver is only HDMI 1.4 and doesn't support 4K or HDR. I hooked up the PC HDMI directly to the TV and connected the monitor to the PC through the receiver and audio works fine. The problem comes if I try to turn off the monitor then audio will switch to stereo audio but when I turn the monitor on it will restore to 5.1 audio.

I hardly use the monitor and it remains off most of the time but would like to still be able to use 5.1 audio when it is off. I notice that when I turn off the monitor windows sound manager will show the monitor being replaced by the receiver. I can switch it to 5.1 but will lose all audio in any open app and cant get sound back until the app is fully closed and opened again. If i turn the monitor back on then sound manager will change to the monitor with 5.1 audio again no problem but if I turn the monitor off again its back to stereo and I have to redo the entire process again of switching it back to 5.1 and restarting all of my apps.

Has anybody else had this issue before and figured out a way to turn off the second monitor, and have the audio switch without problems to the receiver, still in 5.1?

Kilrah · January 2, 2021

Use ARC from the TV instead of sending the monitor signal through the receiver?

Diablo050189 · January 4, 2021

Sorry I haven't got back to you sooner. This receiver doesn't even support ARC. I'm looking into getting a new receiver soon but for now just hooked up the second monitor via DP and left the second HDMI going to the receiver and the receiver output hooked to nothing. It shows up as a third monitor and I just set the resolution for it as low as possible.