Mac mini Sound Control - HDMI

[opinio]

Specifically, OS X outputs a PCM audio stream detailed here. The only exception to this is if you are passing through a Dolby Digital (AC3) or DTS audio stream from a media player in which case the PCM stream is superseded.

In the end, the only volume control you're going to get will be altering the audio data before it's sent over HDMI which can cause undesirable side effects. With VLC for instance yes you can alter the volume which in turn simply applies gain to the audio data, but eventually that will just lead to distortion and clipping. Using a 3rd party app to lower the volume simply compresses the waveform which in turn reduces the resolution of what's actually being played.

In conclusion, if you want the best possible sound do not use software to attempt to control the volume of a PCM audio stream. You want to apply volume changes after the data has been converted to a analog signal (what you actually can hear) which means using the TV or audio amplifier/receiver volume control.

Well put.

 

[litedesign]

I have a windows PC connected to a TV via HDMI, and I can easily control or mute the overall system volume just like I would any other speakers. So why can't OS X implement this?

 

[paulrbeers]

I have a windows PC connected to a TV via HDMI, and I can easily control or mute the overall system volume just like I would any other speakers. So why can't OS X implement this?

While OSX could implement this, what you are doing is altering the digital stream. I would rather my high end audio equipment determine volume, rather than artificially altering the original output to implement a kludgey volume control.

 

[snowmusicman]

Has anybody figured out a solution for this? My monitor doesn't have volume control (well it does but through a slow and clunky interface) so I have to lower the volume of everything with the mouse, and some apps don't even have volume control. I tried Soundflower but it stops working after a while, as described here and JackOSX didn't help either (or maybe I couldn't figure it out). There has to be an app for something so simple, which works without a problem in Windows!

 

[Lolito]

it would bring distortion in the VLC way of pumping up the volume, if that app does the oposite, wont be distortion.

I never ever use my speakers volume, I just set it up at 770% of maximum volume, and the rest i do it with the mac keyboard volume keys. Is this the perfect solution to have the best sound quality? at maximum volume hell yes, at other volume, no, but honestly, I couldn't care less if sound is 99% good, as it is.

Soundflower sound good, but crashes all the time, it's quite annoying. I´m thinking about getting a usb sound card or a airport express, just to get rid of the 3,5mm cable. Same standard since 1980 or before, still in use... lame!!