Mac Mini to Onkyo AVR to LG monitor

Question

Level 1

4 points

Mac Mini to Onkyo AVR to LG monitor

I was recently having issues connecting my Mac Mini to my Onkyo AVR and then to my Samsung TV. It turns out that the issue was the RIHD needing to be turned on on my AVR. After I turned that on, I stopped having the issue. I decided to get an LG computer monitor instead and just replaced my Samsung TV with the LG monitor. When the Mac boots up, I get the loading screen for about half of the boot sequence, and then the screen goes blue just like it originally was when I had RIHD turned off on my AVR in my old configuration. Everything works fine if I bypass the AVR, but I lose surround sound capabilities. Anyone have this same issue before and resolved it? I am pretty sure nothing is wrong with any of the devices. Just a certain setting that needs to be turned on or off I think. Any ideas?

Posted on Jun 7, 2021 11:30 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

jbekis Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 14, 2021 11:06 AM in response to jbekis

I wanted to give an update here since I was able to find some kind of a solution. This product worked for what I was trying to do: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093H3GFR3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The only part that this wasn't able to resolve was getting surround sound from the browser. Since I sometimes stream from one of the many streaming providers through the browser, the browser only outputs 2 channels. But watching any of the movies I purchased through Apple, or using VLC, I was able to get full 5.1 output. Here is the diagram from how my systems are wired:

Mac Mini -> Audio extractor splitter converter; Splitter optical out to AVR optical in, Splitter HDMI out to LG monitor HDMI 2 in. One of the downsides I do have other than the browser not outputting 5.1 is that I do have to manually switch to a separate input on my monitor. It wasn't a big deal for me though since I am sitting in front of my monitor. I did not try routing the HDMI back into the AVR since from what I read, the AVR will either default to the HDMI input or the optical if that is set up. So, If I set the optical input as default, I wouldn't get picture. So, if anyone runs into this issue, this is how I resolved it. It isn't 100% for sure, but it does work. Hope this helps others out.

Reply

Answer 2

jbekis Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 8, 2021 7:23 AM in response to hcsitas

Ahhhh...do you know if there is a way around this? I really like the monitor I got and would hate to return it and go back to the TV. I've read elsewhere that an HDMI audio video splitter would work. Do you have any knowledge of that working?

Reply

Answer 3

Jun 8, 2021 1:33 PM in response to jbekis

Now you haven't mentioned what MacMini model you have

and depending on what will determine how to get audio

to the AVR.

If it is a 2014 MacMini or older, you can connect the Mini via TOSLINK

optical (need an adapter or cable to connect it to the Mini). One those

models, the line in/line out also double as optical audio interface. This will

at least allow DolbyD and DTS multichannel encoded audio. However,

the TOSLINK bandwidth is limited so it will not pass the HD formats. Cables

can easily be found on Amazon.

If it is a 2018 or later, you will need a USB based solution that provides

the desired outputs to your AVR.

Unfortunately, HDMI is out,

If it is a later model Mini,

Reply

Answer 4

hcsitas

Level 6

12,986 points

Jun 8, 2021 12:18 AM in response to jbekis

It's not a setting issue. The LG monitor, like almost all monitors is not a TV and is incompatible with AVRs (no support for ARC, RIHD etc.). Won't work, unfortunately.

Reply