HDMI won't play audio through TV

If you connect the MacBook using a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter you will probably need to use external speakers or a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack to RCA sound plugs connected to a stereo sound system if your TV doesn't have separate RCA input plugs or a 3.5mm stereo input plug for audio with the HDMI plug. The Mini DisplayPort to HDMI doesn't carry audio unless you have the Mid 2010 model 7,1 and there're no audio plugs on most TVs to work with HDMI since it's expecting audio with the HDMI.

If you have the Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody or Late 2009 model 6,1 White Unibody with the Mini DisplayPort rather than the Mini-DVI there is an adapter that uses the Mini DisplayPort and a USB port to combine video and audio to HDMI. It's only 2 channel stereo not 5.1 Dolby Surround.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802 &p_id=5969&seq=1&format=2

To see which model you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info (and then System Report if you’re running 10.7 Lion). When System Profiler comes up check the Model Identifier and post it back here.

I have a MacBook Pro 13" late 2011 model, Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4 (11E53) and I'm having the same problem. I'm a little illiterate when it comes to macs as this is my first one. I am using a Mini DisplayPort with an HCMI cable and my HD TV is only about 1 1/2 years old and is a Samsung 46" touch of color 1980x1020. Can I get a different HDMI cable that imports sound? Or do I need eactly what you said (external speakers) in order to play anything from my computer on my HD TV?

Thanks for all of your advice!

Set your sound output preferences.

Any Mac made after mid 2010 has audio through the Mini DisplayPort. On 13 April 2010, Apple added support for audio out using Mini DisplayPort in their MacBook Pro product line. This added feature allows users to easily connect their Macbook Pros to their HDTVs using a cable adapting Mini DisplayPort to HDMI with full audio and video functionality

Did you get a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter that has audio support. Here's some on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_8?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-ke ywords=mini+displayport+to+hdmi&sprefix=mini+dis%2Caps%2C249#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url =search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=mini+displayport+to+hdmi+with+audio&rh= n%3A172282%2Cn%3A!493964%2Cn%3A541966%2Ck%3Amini+displayport+to+hdmi+with+audio

Thanks so much guys! I just switched my sound settings and it works great!

I have a Mac Mini version 3,1. I tried to connect it to my 60" HDTV with a mini DVI to HDMI adaptor and all I get is an image, but no sound. Am I going to have to use a separate audio cable as described above or has there been an update to the software or something that will allow audio to pass through the HDMI cable now?

When i go into settings and go to Audio, output options, the only available choice is the built in speakers. There's nothing in the drop down menu about a digital output or HDMI or anything like that available to click or even grayed out.

DVI does not pass audio (mini or otherwise). You need to pass audio separately via your 3.5 mm analog stereo audio output jack.

You should probably ask this in the Mac Mini forum. This is the forum for the discontinued white and black plastic MacBooks. You should also post this question there to increase your chances of getting an answer.

https://discussions.apple.com/community/desktop_computers/mac_mini

How do you switch the sound settings?

I got my MBP in January 2010...the mini displayport to HDMI adaptor I got says it will support audio if the source device allows audio output through the mini displayport interface. So I got the MBP connected to a TV using an HDMI chord. The screens match up perfectly. The only issue I'm having is that I can't set up a sound connection. I go to System Preferences, then Sound and under Output the tv is not listed...is my MBP too old and I need a separate cable?? Thanks!!

Your MBP is probably to old. The first MBP with audio came out in April 2010.

Kindly go to system Preference->Sound->Output, select Your HDMI device and then it works 🙂

I have a Mac book from Oct. 2010 so my mini port does transmit sound. I have an mini port to HDMI cable. I have used the cable before on another TV and I've gotten sound from my Mac to go through the TV. My sound settings automatically go to the TV's speakers....

However, on my new TV, I get nothing.

Anyone have any ideas for me?

And just to go over the check list again, yes my Mac is new enough, yes I have the right cable, and yes my sound settings are set correctly

Hi,

The TV has to be turned off, then turned on again. Steps are:

First, you connect the cable between your MBP and tv; check sound settings on MBP (they should be ok) and select correct hdmi imput on your tv.

And then, when everything is in place, turn off the tv. When you turn it on again, the connection should be right this time and you should have both image and sound on the tv.

It solved the issue for me! Hope it does the same for you!

And what if I have the the early 2008 Macbok 4,1? I am trying to play audio and video via a mini-DVI to HDMI cable to my TV. Apparently this cable cannot send audio. Do I have any options? (I don't have a stereo system, just want to send the audio signal directly to my TV). I know my computer is old. Sorry, I'm broke.