HDMI Audio output on the nMP

[TX Mac User]

I apologize in advance if this issue has been addressed or resolved in another thread; moderators feel free to delete and or merge this post if it’s deemed appropriate.

I’m having a bit of difficulty configuring audio output on my Mac Pro 6,1 via the HDMI port. I’ve scoured both the forums here and at the Apple Discussion boards and have yet to find an applicable solution; my apologies if this has been addressed elsewhere!

I’ve connected my nMP to a Marantz NR1603 receiver via a HDMI cable that was purchased from Monoprice. The cable is one of their Redmere models, which is “directional”; I’ve double-checked the orientation and everything seems correctly connected. There’s no television or monitor connected to the receiver. I don’t think this is the source of the problem, but I wanted to include the information in the interest of completeness.

Under the Audio section of System Preferences there is no listing for HDMI; yet under Audio in System Information the connection is listed. Additionally, there’s no entry in Audio MIDI setup for HDMI. I’ve included screenshots below for illustrative purposes.

I’ve managed to get audio out via the built-in digital output using a glass Toslink cable; that seems to work quite well. The HDMI cable is connected as well; the connection just fails to appear. I’m rather eager to see how the HDMI output functions.

I’d appreciate any assistance that the forum might be able to provide- thanks in advance!

 

[TX Mac User]

Just following up

Forgive me for bumping my own thread, but I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions about how to successfully get audio out via HDMI on a nMP.

I appreciate any help that could be provided, and thank you in advance!

 

[ActionableMango]

I don't have any specific fixes in mind, but basic troubleshooting steps would be to try a different HDMI cable, and try connecting it to an HDMI monitor to see if the option shows up.

If those steps fail and nobody else has any better ideas, keep in mind you get free telephone support from Apple for a limited time after purchase, so you might want to take advantage of that.

One question though, if you're not carrying video then why do you need audio over HDMI instead of optical? Not a criticism, just genuinely curious.

 

[Einz]

If the same rule applies to displayport as HDMI. You can only use HDMI audio if your are connected to a HDMI monitor. I'm connected to a displayport monitor. I have a displayport audio out option. One of the draw back of using the the diplayport audio out is that you can't control the volume from the Mac. I'm assuming it will be the same for HDMI.

My monitor has an audio out. You'll need to connect your speakers to your monitor's audio out.

 

[TX Mac User]

Einz and ActionableMango- thank you both for your replies and suggestions; I sincerely appreciate both of you taking the time to offer your input.

I've done a bit more troubleshooting, and have rotated a few cables about- with only partial success. As I type, I'm currently running three displays: the twin Thunderbolt Displays listed in my signature, and an older Dell monitor with an HDMI input. I removed the Marantz receiver from the HDMI chain entirely, aside from the optical audio cable which connects to the Mac Pro.

At the very least, this confirms to me that the HDMI output on the Mac Pro is functional. It raises questions concerning the second HDMI cable and the Marantz receiver, however.

Actionable Mango, to answer your earlier question- this has all been an experiment, really. I've always routed audio output either through an optical cable or via USB to a DAC, I thought it might be extra fancypants to use HDMI. I was just curious to see if the HDMI output would indeed connect to my Marantz receiver.

Einz, your suggestions have proven quite correct as well- with the Marantz receiver out of the HDMI chain, the Dell ST2220L is indeed listed as an audio device.

I find it curious that the desktop wasn't relayed through the Marantz receiver to the Dell monitor when everything was initially connected. I'm going to swap cables in the current configuration, and then connect both the receiver and the other HDMI cable back in and try the configuration again. Provided I confirm that both cables are functional, of course. I just wanted to give you both the most current information.

Again, I sincerely appreciate both of your help in getting this sorted! I owe you both a beer or other beverage of your choosing.

Thanks again!

 

[Riwam]

Again, I sincerely appreciate both of your help in getting this sorted! I owe you both a beer or other beverage of your choosing.

Thanks again!

...............................
Once you found the right connection and cable allowing to pour beer over it, please post your results for the rest of us.
Thank you in advance!

Ed

 

[TX Mac User]

Well, I've confirmed that one HDMI cable was bad and that the receiver needed a firmware update. Sadly neither of these have yielded the desired result.

Directly attaching the Dell monitor to the nMP via HDMI yields a three monitor setup, behaving as expected, with the monitor listed as an option for sound output. Ironically, the monitor has no speakers- and yet it is listed in the Sound section of System Preferences.

Including the Marantz receiver however, inhibits entirely the transmission of the display signal to the monitor via HDMI. Similarly, neither the receiver nor the attached monitor are available as a sound or video output, respectively. The nMP does not recognize either device in this configuration.

I'm a bit confused at this point; I know there's a Apple KB article which explicitly states you can attach the nMP to a receiver, and yet I've managed to fail rather splendidly.

Once you found the right connection and cable allowing to pour beer over it, please post your results for the rest of us.
Thank you in advance!

While I'd never criticize anyone for their preferred methods of enjoying their beer or their computer- I'm going to have to pass on pouring beer over it. I'll happily pour beers for us, though.

That being said, if anyone could provide some assistance in getting this nMP working with my receiver, I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Riwam]

Well, I've confirmed that one HDMI cable was bad and that the receiver needed a firmware update. Sadly neither of these have yielded the desired result.

Directly attaching the Dell monitor to the nMP via HDMI yields a three monitor setup, behaving as expected, with the monitor listed as an option for sound output. Ironically, the monitor has no speakers- and yet it is listed in the Sound section of System Preferences.

Including the Marantz receiver however, inhibits entirely the transmission of the display signal to the monitor via HDMI. Similarly, neither the receiver nor the attached monitor are available as a sound or video output, respectively. The nMP does not recognize either device in this configuration.

I'm a bit confused at this point; I know there's a Apple KB article which explicitly states you can attach the nMP to a receiver, and yet I've managed to fail rather

................
Wouldn't be useful to ask Apple's tech people?
In my experience in past issues, complicated issues are passed over by common techs (the first level you get in touch with) to Senior Advisers, and those people have a lot of knowledge.
What do you lose by trying it?