B J P

Q: Controlling sound output in Target Display Mode

I run an iMac as a display for my MBP via Target Display Mode. The iMac's speakers are used as my sound output device.

 

There seems to be some inconsistency in controlling volume/muting. Sometimes I can do this using the MBP's own keyboard or in-OS controls, and sometimes those do nothing and I need to use the iMac's keyboard to adjust volume.

 

Is this a bug? Anything I can do to ensure volume control of the iMac speakers always stays with the MBP?

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), 2.3 GHz i7 / 16 GB / 500 GB SSD

Posted on Sep 12, 2016 11:51 AM

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Q: Controlling sound output in Target Display Mode

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  • by Joseph_S.,

    Joseph_S. Joseph_S. Sep 13, 2016 12:03 PM in response to B J P
    Community Specialists
    Sep 13, 2016 12:03 PM in response to B J P

    Hi B J P,

     

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. 

     

    Based on your post, I see that you have an iMac connected to your MacBook Pro via Target Display Mode. When controlling volume and sound output, you are able able to do this on your MacBook Pro, but sometimes you have to control this on your iMac. You want to make sure that you can ensure volume control stays with the MacBook Pro. 

     

    I completely understand. I have two Macs connected via Target Display Mode, so I know how important it is that you are able to control the volume always from the main computer. I have a couple things that I would like for you to try.

     

    First, please restart your MacBook Pro by following this path: Apple menu > Restart. Once the computer turns back on, please test and see if you are only able to control the volume from the MacBook Pro. 

     

    Next, reboot your iMac and go to the login screen. Don't login. Press Command-F2 on the keyboard connected to your iMac to start Target Display Mode. Once you have Target Display Mode enabled, try to play sound and see if you get the same result with sound coming out of the iMac. It's important to note that the iMac you are using as a target display doesn't have to be logged in to OS X. 

     

    Best Regards 

  • by B J P,

    B J P B J P Sep 16, 2016 12:16 PM in response to Joseph_S.
    Level 1 (23 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 16, 2016 12:16 PM in response to Joseph_S.

    Joseph,

     

    I've been able to restore MBP control in the past via a restart, yes.

     

    It seems odd to me that this would sometimes occur, so I'm wondering if there's some setting or order of operations at play -- is this behavior expected -- or if this is simply a bug. If the latter, then at least I could know what to do / not to do.