Audio only through HDMI?

[johnt]

My monitor is connected with DisplayPort. I didn't realize I can run HDMI from my video card to my new receiver to pass audio, so I bought a toslink cable because a lot of websites were raving about the better quality. It wasn't very expensive, so I said what the heck. Come to find out that HDMI transmits a more diverse protocol of signals. So I said what the heck again! I disconnected my toslink cable from my onboard sound, and connected HDMI through my video card. The receiver picks up the signal. Windows configures my new receiver and everything is working fine. Sound is playing and I'm shaking my butt to Britney Spears Disney Soundtracks Spotify. 

 

Now the problem is Windows tries to set up a second monitor when I do this and extends the desktop to both monitors. Unfortunately, there is nothing actually attached to the video out on my receiver, so the second signal is just wasted. If I duplicate the monitors, my main display starts acting really funny. If I disconnect the second display in Windows (the one carrying the sound through HDMI), then the sound stops working.

 

I wish Catalyst provided some functionality to output sound through HDMI and bypass Windows entirely.

 

What the **** am I doing all wrong? I don't want an extended desktop if I don't have a second monitor connected.

 

Receiver: Yamaha RX-v377

Video Card: Sapphire R9 280

[TheKDub]

can you try disabling the 2nd "display" (the fake one)?

[Glenwing]

So... what's the situation?

 

You have a monitor connected via DisplayPort, and you just want to use your HDMI port for its audio-out capability to a reciever? And Windows detects the HDMI connection as another display huh...

 

Disconnect the second display, right click on the volume speaker icon thing on your taskbar, go to Playback Devices, and select the HDMI output.

[johnt]

can you try disabling the 2nd "display" (the fake one)?

 

It entirely disables the sound output also.

[johnt]

So... what's the situation?

 

You have a monitor connected via DisplayPort, and you just want to use your HDMI port for its audio-out capability to a reciever? And Windows detects the HDMI connection as another display huh...

 

Disconnect the second display, right click on the volume speaker icon thing on your taskbar, go to Playback Devices, and select the HDMI output.

 

When I disconnect the second display, the Playback Devices shows the HDMI is not connected and will not let me set it as the default or test it or anything.

[NannerBeans]

If you own Display Fusion, you are able to disable a display through that program's monitor configuration. 

[ShearMe]

Outside if third party software, Windows just sucks.

[johnt]

Outside if third party software, Windows just sucks.

 

What software do you recommend?

[techguru]

this might work

Attach the monitor to the AVR with a HDMI switch or buy a HDMI sound card and use a VGA to HDMI adapter to generate a dummy HDMI video signal for the sound card instead of a dummy extended monitor in Windows.

[johnt]

this might work

Attach the monitor to the AVR with a HDMI switch or buy a HDMI sound card and use a VGA to HDMI adapter to generate a dummy HDMI video signal for the sound card instead of a dummy extended monitor in Windows.

 

I didn't even know they made sound cards with HDMI out....... I just looked into it. ASUS is the only company who makes it. Not worth it. Totally going back to optical.