Volume Controls Disabled with External Display (MacBook Pro 2016)

[MecPro]

Hi guys, I had a look around for a specific thread, but could only find some on the official Apple forms

But a problem I noticed with my 2016 MacBook Pro, is that when I connect my TV via a USB C -> HDMI hub, I cannot control the volume of the output from the Touchbar, I can only use the TV remote. That is in comparison to the hardware buttons of the previous MacBook Pro.

The odd thing, is if I am listening to music via Spotify, Spotify has its own volume slider which I can use and that works fine. Outside of that application, no luck.

Now I am trying to figure out if this is by design for all external monitors, or whether because my TV is a bit old (Sony model from around 2007) and doesn't have certain settings

Does anyone else have this issue?

 

[snaky69]

HDMI sends sound through, thus you need to adjust volume in the display, not the Mac. That's just how HDMI works, period. It sends the audio signal through at max volume, and whatever's receiving the signal's job is to display it and produce sound at the set volume with it.

 

[MecPro]

HDMI sends sound through, thus you need to adjust volume in the display, not the Mac. That's just how HDMI works, period. It sends the audio signal through at max volume, and whatever's receiving the signal's job is to display it and produce sound at the set volume with it.

Oh ok.

I didn't know they was the case. Thanks for the information!

 

[acetin]

HDMI sends sound through, thus you need to adjust volume in the display, not the Mac. That's just how HDMI works, period. It sends the audio signal through at max volume, and whatever's receiving the signal's job is to display it and produce sound at the set volume with it.

well, can't agree, for me, it's more like a bug. when i'm using the same external display with external keyboard, volume buttons work. also in ubuntu the same, i can adjust the volume using keyboard on the same external display.

 

[iMacDragon]

It's how HDMI is meant to work I believe if following spec fully, but nothing stops the computer mixing it lower if desired to, with the slight note that it will reduce dynamic range available on hdmi device especially if 16bit audio is used.

 

[acetin]

well, in fact my external display is using usb-c, i'm not sure what the spec says, but what i do know that i didn't see any monitor giving easy access control for volume. adjusting the volume in monitor is pain in the neck. press the menu button, find where the volume is in the menu click, adjust, etc. i'm really surprised that apple is hiding behind the spec excuse. generally if apple sees that existing standard is not working for usability, they do their own standard just not to compromise usability.

 

[iMacDragon]

You can probably to some extent 'fix' the issue with an audio capture driver like soundflower or similar to act as inbetween, acting as the system audio output with volume control and redirecting it to the monitor.

 

[deeddawg]

well, can't agree, for me, it's more like a bug.

Did you need to resurrect an 18-month old thread for this?

With a TV, it's trivial to control volume.

Though not so much with a typical monitor. When I had my mac mini I just plugged the headphone out into the monitor's audio-in jack and all was well. System volume control worked just fine. Perhaps you can do that with your macbook.

Here's Apple's feedback site: https://www.apple.com/feedback/

Putting your comment there is far more likely to have it seen by someone who can do something about it.