Q: Video fine; no audio - connected MacBook to HDTV

I have a mid 2009 MacBook Pro that I connect to a Samsung HDTV to watch movies stored on my MacBook. I use a mini displayport to HDMI connector for video and a DVI audio connector (to access the HDTV speakers). This setup worked flawlessly for 3 years, until I installed El Capitan last week. Now I still have high def video, but no audio. I didn't change anything else (settings, cables, etc.). Did the OS update cause this issue?

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), Mid-2009

Posted on Oct 30, 2015 11:49 AM

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Q: Video fine; no audio - connected MacBook to HDTV

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by Duane,

Duane Oct 30, 2015 1:31 PM in response to alanfromNJ
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Oct 30, 2015 1:31 PM in response to alanfromNJ

I'm not sure how you had audio before. The mini display port to HDMI on the mid-2009 models does not support audio. See About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters - Apple Support
I know this first hand since I have a mid-2009 MacBook Pro and have always had to connect a separate audio cable.
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by alanfromNJ,

alanfromNJ Oct 30, 2015 1:35 PM in response to Duane
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Oct 30, 2015 1:35 PM in response to Duane

Duane -- thanks, but I noted in my original question that I was using a separate DVI audio connector. It connects the 3.5mm headphone output from the computer to the HGTV via dual RCA connectors.
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by Duane,

Duane Oct 30, 2015 1:37 PM in response to alanfromNJ
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Oct 30, 2015 1:37 PM in response to alanfromNJ

Why do you use a DVI audio connector when a simple audio cable will work?
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by alanfromNJ,

alanfromNJ Oct 30, 2015 1:41 PM in response to Duane
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Oct 30, 2015 1:41 PM in response to Duane

It was the way Samsung suggested. Is there a way to use an HDMI video input with a simpler audio cable?
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by Duane,

Duane Oct 30, 2015 1:46 PM in response to alanfromNJ
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Oct 30, 2015 1:46 PM in response to alanfromNJ

Do a quick check to ensure that your audio cable is connected to the headphone jack on the MacBook Pro.

I think I see what you are doing. On my Samsung TV there is an audio input with RCA jacks labelled DVI audio. That should be fine. It really only needs a 3.5 mm audio jack to dual RCA jack cable.
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by alanfromNJ,

alanfromNJ Oct 30, 2015 1:48 PM in response to Duane
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Oct 30, 2015 1:48 PM in response to Duane

That's EXACTLY my setup. The crazy thing is that it worked for three years until I updated to El Capitan. Now I have no audio.
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by Duane,

Duane Oct 30, 2015 1:50 PM in response to alanfromNJ
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Oct 30, 2015 1:50 PM in response to alanfromNJ

Go to System Preferences -> Sound -> Output and see what is checked.
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by alanfromNJ,

alanfromNJ Oct 30, 2015 1:54 PM in response to Duane
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Oct 30, 2015 1:54 PM in response to Duane

headphone port
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by Duane,

Duane Oct 30, 2015 1:58 PM in response to alanfromNJ
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Oct 30, 2015 1:58 PM in response to alanfromNJ

Ok, now check the audio setting on the TV. Is there any selection for that audio input?
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by alanfromNJ,

alanfromNJ Oct 30, 2015 2:05 PM in response to Duane
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Oct 30, 2015 2:05 PM in response to Duane

There's no place that I can find for any sort of "audio input" on the TV menu.
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by Duane,

Duane Oct 30, 2015 2:15 PM in response to alanfromNJ
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Oct 30, 2015 2:15 PM in response to alanfromNJ

Have you tried another audio cable?
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by alanfromNJ,

alanfromNJ Oct 30, 2015 2:20 PM in response to alanfromNJ
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Oct 30, 2015 2:20 PM in response to alanfromNJ

Yes. A second (new) RCA cable did not work. If I use a simple male/male 3.5mm headphone cable, I can connect it to a stand-alone speaker, and it works! It just won't play audio through the TV. BUT.....keep in mind, this exact setup worked for years until last week when I installed El Capitan.
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by Duane,

Duane Oct 30, 2015 2:25 PM in response to alanfromNJ
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Oct 30, 2015 2:25 PM in response to alanfromNJ

If it works when connected to a stand alone speaker than the fault is not with your MacBook Pro, it is with the TV.
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by alanfromNJ,

alanfromNJ Oct 30, 2015 2:27 PM in response to Duane
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Oct 30, 2015 2:27 PM in response to Duane

Maybe......but why would it just stop working????? Nothing was changed except the Mac OS.
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Q: Video fine; no audio - connected MacBook to HDTV

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