no sound on TV from computer.

[hempomatic]

After hurricane Helene, we still have no internet or TV or network. (I have to drive 10 miles to the nearest secure Hot Spot). We've been watching DVDs on the computer but would like to watch them on the TV, a year old large screen LG smart TV. I can't mirror over the network since there is not network. I bought an HDMI to USB-C adapter and the picture is fine, but there is no sound. The sound from the computer isn't loud enough from across the room. Did I get the wrong adapter or is there a setting on the MBP. I'm currently running Sonoma 14.6.1

 

[Slydude]

That should have worked. I think I have read where some of the adapters do not work very well so that may be the problem. I had a couple of thoughts that if one of them works won't cost you anything.

The first thing I would do is to check and see if the Sound preference setting is correct. The LG TV should show in the list of possible sound output devices if that adapter is carrying the signal correctly.

Do you have a Bluetooth speaker hanging around? It should be possible to pair that with the Mac and play the sound through that speaker. I had a similar issue a couple of years ago but I don't remember if this worked or not.

If you can tell us the Model of your TV I might be able to cobble something together that works.

 

[ferrarr]

What software are you using to play the DVD? Try another player.

Personally I use vlc. Official download of VLC media player, the best Open Source player - VideoLAN

 

[Randy B. Singer]

...I bought an HDMI to USB-C adapter and the picture is fine, but there is no sound.

There are two potential problems.

The first is that your computer does not have "USB-C ports". It has Thunderbolt 3 ports with USB-C connectors. If you got an adapter that does not support Thunderbolt 3, that may be the problem.

The other potential problem is that you might have gotten an older HDMI cable or adapter that does not carry audio, or, more specifically, the audio standard that your television supports. You need both an adapter and an HDMI cable that supports at least HDMI 2.0, and preferably HDMI 2.1.

Here is a nice combination cable and adapter that supports HDMI 2.1. It's all that you need, and it is inexpensive:

USB C to HDMI 2.1 Cable [8K@60Hz,4K@144Hz] Thunderbolt 4/3 6.6FT
$7
https://www.amazon.com/High-Speed-Office-Thunderbolt-Compatible-Max，MacBook/dp/B0CYZRPLDK/ref=sr_1_6

 

[Rod]

You don't need an internet connection to have a home WiFi network. Having said that, it is usually a cable issue if you have picture and no sound. HDMI adaptor from M1 MBP to my Smart TV HDMI input works for me.

 

[hempomatic]

You don't need an internet connection to have a home WiFi network. Having said that, it is usually a cable issue if you have picture and no sound. HDMI adaptor from M1 MBP to my Smart TV HDMI input works for me.

In my case, I believe I do. Everything is from Optimum, and without the network connection, the WiFi router just sits there blinking. I don't know, maybe the HDMI adapter is defective.

 

[hempomatic]

There are two potential problems.

The first is that your computer does not have "USB-C ports". It has Thunderbolt 3 ports with USB-C connectors. If you got an adapter that does not support Thunderbolt 3, that may be the problem.

The other potential problem is that you might have gotten an older HDMI cable or adapter that does not carry audio, or, more specifically, the audio standard that your television supports. You need both an adapter and an HDMI cable that supports at least HDMI 2.0, and preferably HDMI 2.1.

Here is a nice combination cable and adapter that supports HDMI 2.1. It's all that you need, and it is inexpensive:

USB C to HDMI 2.1 Cable [8K@60Hz,4K@144Hz] Thunderbolt 4/3 6.6FT
$7
https://www.amazon.com/High-Speed-Office-Thunderbolt-Compatible-Max，MacBook/dp/B0CYZRPLDK/ref=sr_1_6

The adapter I purchased is USB-C and Thunderbolt compatible. I have one with identical specs.

 

[hempomatic]

What software are you using to play the DVD? Try another player.

Personally I use vlc. Official download of VLC media player, the best Open Source player - VideoLAN

I'm using the software that is in the OS. I can't download another player because I have no internet.

 

[hempomatic]

That should have worked. I think I have read where some of the adapters do not work very well so that may be the problem. I had a couple of thoughts that if one of them works won't cost you anything.

The first thing I would do is to check and see if the Sound preference setting is correct. The LG TV should show in the list of possible sound output devices if that adapter is carrying the signal correctly.

Do you have a Bluetooth speaker hanging around? It should be possible to pair that with the Mac and play the sound through that speaker. I had a similar issue a couple of years ago but I don't remember if this worked or not.

If you can tell us the Model of your TV I might be able to cobble something together that works.

I don't have a Bluetooth speaker to test that. I checked the sound preferences on the TV, all of them.

 

[hempomatic]

I guess I'm just relegated to using a 13" screen rather than a 75" screen for a while. It could be worse, I could be watching on my wife's phone (mine's a flip phone).

 

[RadDave]

I guess I'm just relegated to using a 13" screen rather than a 75" screen for a while. It could be worse, I could be watching on my wife's phone (mine's a flip phone).

Well, no bright ideas from the others' suggestions - I suspected the HDMI-TB (assume your cable is updated Thunderbolt) or possibly some setting on your TV/MBPro but nothing working for you. Not sure if this is even feasible, but your laptop has a 3.5 mm mini-output jack for sound - if available can you attach an audio cable to your stereo with an AUX-In port (my Cambridge receiver has one although I've never given it a try, sorry). Good luck - Dave

 

[Randy B. Singer]

The adapter I purchased is USB-C and Thunderbolt compatible.

Which version of HDMI does it support?

 

[hempomatic]

Which version of HDMI does it support?

Not sure, this is the unit. It says it's compatible

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C38WDX79/?tag=macforums0e4-20

 

[Randy B. Singer]

Not sure, this is the unit. It says it's compatible

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C38WDX79/?tag=macforums0e4-20

Extrapolating from the user feedback, it seems to be HDMI 2.0.

 

[Slydude]

There's a review posted there which seems to suggest that this cable is terrible due to some connection issues.

 

[hempomatic]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have internet and network back.