Controlling HDMI audio using keyboard control?

Question

Controlling HDMI audio using keyboard control?

Hello,

We recently got a MacBook, a USB-C AV adapter with HDMI and a Samsung S27D590C monitor. We have connected the MacBook to the monitor via HDMI and video and audio flow as they should - audio coming out of the monitor's speakers.

However, there seems to be no way to control the audio coming out of the monitor via the keyboard nor through the OS X sliders. The Systems Preference panel greys out any audio controls associated with the monitor. The only way to control volume is to use the monitor's own volume sliders (a bit of a UX annoyance).

Is this just the nature of any HDMI audio connection - where control of volume shifts to the monitor - or any suggestions on how to recover control?

Thanks,

E.

Posted on Oct 20, 2015 10:22 AM

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Answer 1

jeffd55

Community Specialist

Oct 21, 2015 1:53 PM in response to Eric Parkinson

Hello Eric,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

I see that you are having issues controlling the audio on your HDMI monitor. The following article provides some things to take a look at for issues with an HDMI display.

Mac computers: Frequently asked questions about using HDMI - Apple Support

I am looking specifically at these questions:

My HDMI cable is connected but there is no audio.
In System Preferences, select Sound. Click the Output tab and then select your HDMI device from the list.

And:

Why can't I select HDMI audio on my Mac mini?
If you connect an HDMI display or television to a Mac mini (Mid 2010 or later), you might not be able to select the HDMI audio device (in System Preferences > Sound > Output). This can happen if you also have headphones plugged in to the computer. Unplug the headphones to be able to select HDMI audio.

Regards

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Answer 2

Oct 21, 2015 1:58 PM in response to jeffd55

Thank you for this content.

Unfortunately, the issue is that on the System Preferences --> Sound screen you show above, the "Output Volume" slider is greyed out and not available when I select the monitor in the sound output list above. The audio does play through the monitor, but the control of the audio is lost (i.e., handed over to the monitor).

It might be that this Q & A from the page you linked is the answer:

Do Macs with HDMI support CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)?

Macs do not support and cannot control other devices via CEC connections and HDMI.

Where I interpret CEC as including audio controls.

Thanks.

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