Mirrored Display: Video ... and sound?

I know this subject has been addressed elsewhere, but please bear with me as possibly not in this manner. Or I'm just missing something.


Question: If mirroring the display from a MacBook to an HDTV how would it be possible to have both video and audio if using separate cables for each?

There is no issue with video using a mini-dvi to HDMI cable. However without the combined video and audio of the newest mini-dvi ports, a separate audio cable is required. I used a 3.5 mini-plug from computer to white and red RCA jacks for the HDTV, but achieved no sound in trying near every configuration: video in (sans yellow video, since HDMI), component, HDMI (in conjunction with).

Instructions for this Sony HDTV indicate computers should be connected via VGA (video) and a 3.5 mini-plug (audio). Without these cables I desisted, but VGA would be inferior to HDMI in any event, and video alone works fine via HDMI. I might perhaps use the 3.5 mini-plug (sans VGA), but this likely will not work because only ONE input is allowed at a time. But in such configuration two inputs would be required, HDMI for video, and a separate input (PC) for audio. The HDTV never recognized the RCA audio cable at any input, so unable to select in any event. Possibly a defective cable, but it is new. Or perhaps for a computer it will only accept the VGA/mini-plug configuration for some reason?

The RCA inputs in conjunction with an HDMI port are indicated for use with a satellite/cable box, with no other HDMI connected. Use of an HDMI input from Comcast, an HDMI input from computer, and use of these two RCA inputs had no better effect, no sound.

Apparently a newer computer with a mini-dvi port capable of combined video and audio would make this a moot issue as one HDMI connection would suffice, just as that from Comcast does for its video/audio signal.

But it is often said on this forum that video and audio must be accounted for separately, as more usually the case. Since they require two separate inputs, and the HDTV can only select but one at a time, how could this ever work?

Probably not shared

Apparently it does not share video and audio inputs.

There are segregated areas, such as Video In, Component In, PC In, HDMI in, Audio Out, etc. Where applicable there are ports in each area for video and audio. This would discount my first notion, which did not work, of using HDMI In for video and the RCA video/audio port of Video In for audio, this as both areas easily accessible on the side of the HDTV. However using HDMI and the RCA ports in the HDMI In section revealed no better result.

As before, have tried about every configuration save the Mini-Plug audio of the PC In section, but will not use VGA for video, and even if audio happened to work from this port still the issue of how to select that in conjunction with HDMI, with but one input allowed. The HDMI In section seemed the best hope for a combined video/audio signal.

Converting Adapter

The HDTV in question is a Sony KDL-46Z4100.

Thank you for reference to the Mini Audio/Mini-DVI/HDMI converting adapter. My understanding others had connected computer to HDTV with separate video and audio cables, but since that has yet to work this adapter seems a likely solution. Since I have the separate cables, using them would be preferable if someone knows how.

Just a note that I do experience blue screen flicker when first making a connection between computer and HDTV. It is surely a synchronizing of resolution between the two. Thankfully nothing freezes or other issues.

That tried

Yes, one of the configurations I tried, and seemingly most plausible if using HDMI. However, no sound. Two other HDMI ports were also in use, one for Comcast and one for a DVD player. Possibly a conflict there, although not sure why, as only one input can be selected at a time.

Thank you for reference to the Sony pdf; it appears to be the same as supplied paper instructions.

Signal fine

Yes, there is correct audio output from the MacBook. Checked this with headphones to verify, while sending video signal to HDTV via HDMI. So use of headphones one solution. Another would be separate audio equipment. But would be nice to use HDTV's audio as it is convenient and rather good.

Maybe

I know it doesn't say it in the manual, but could there be a option on the Sony's menu that toggles on/off the audio jacks for HDMI4? If it's missing from the manual, it wouldn't be the first time.

On my Sharp, Input4 HDMI has aux. audio inputs, but I have to turn them on using the menu. After all, unless the audio jacks are auto sensing, how would the TV know if you're using a separate audio signal or using audio via HDMI?

Click to expand...

Good idea. Could be the Sony doesn't automatically detect the audio RCA input in conjunction with HDMI video input. I see no obvious provision for manually selecting the RCA input on/off; the closest possible may be in Channel Selection where new antenna or cable channels can be checked for. Of the four HDMI inputs only number 4 seems to associated with the RCA inputs, due position and design. I tried this configuration without luck, but as noted perhaps without the RCA inputs being recognized.