how can dvi and audio be output to a tv?

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Level 3

721 points

how can dvi and audio be output to a tv?

I have a old Mac mini and I want to change the audio output (optical cable) to go to the same TV as the HDMI cable? There is an audio port on the TV.

is this possible?

Mac mini, macOS 10.13

Posted on Apr 26, 2023 8:23 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 26, 2023 10:48 AM in response to Patricia W

Looking at the manual, the particular Audio PC in port seems to be for the adjacent VGA input.

https://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200803/20080315142218500_BN68-01392E-00L02-0226.pdf

If using the HDMI 2 port it has its own additional audio input.

You could use the converter I posted above, or use the HDMI 2 port with the DVI audio inputs through a break out cable that can convert the Mac Mini's headphone jack audio to left and right RCA audio cables.

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Answer 2

Apr 26, 2023 8:32 AM in response to Patricia W

What kind of audio port is on the TV? Is it actually an input port?

Most TV's only have audio output, not input.

What make and model of TV is it exactly?

You would probably need to combine the audio and video into a single signal in most cases.

for example: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Video-Converter-Audio-DVI2HDMIA/dp/B005G3VQ5E

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Answer 3

Patricia W Author

Level 3

721 points

Apr 26, 2023 9:21 AM in response to Phil0124

It is a Samsung 530 LCD (LN37a530) - unfortunately my user manual does not describe it. But the back of the set has DVI IN (HDMI 2) and PC IN AUDIO .

The Mac Mini Optical cable goes into an AV socket on the receiver. I think it is an AV1 socket.

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Answer 4

Patricia W Author

Level 3

721 points

Apr 26, 2023 12:08 PM in response to Phil0124

I decided to see what would happen if I removed the optical cable and went directly from the DVI port on the Mac Mini using the same cable as the video to HDMI 2.

To my surprise it worked BUT the audio is very low. Previously the receiver was using speakers.

Any suggestions?

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