Mac mini 2011 and HDMI Audio only question

[rohizzle121]

Hey guys I am interested in buying a Mac mini i5 with the intel hd 3000. I have a home theater receiver (onkyo rc270) which is plugged into my projector that I use for movies and tv shows. When I am just browsing the Internet and listening to music like to use my monitor while outputting my audio to my receiver so I can use my home theater speakers. I currently do this successfully with my windows desktop. I was wondering if this was possible with the Mac mini. I would use the hdmi to my receiver and thunderbolt (aka mini display port) to my dvi monitor? My projector is only a 720p res and my monitor is 1920x1080. I don't know if having two different res makes a difference but I thought I should mention it.

 

[Detrius]

Does your receiver have an optical audio port? If so, you don't have a problem, regardless of whether the HDMI will work as audio-only, since the Mac mini has optical audio output.

 

[paulrbeers]

Yes you should be able to do this as long as the correct input on the receiver is selected. You just have to set your audio out to u hdmi. Also yes you can use different resolutions but only if not using mirroring. If mirroring then use the lowest resolution device.