You may find yourself in the multi-tasking world of today needing to play audio on different devices. You might, for example, want to play a movie on your HDMI-connected TV, while still wanting your PC speakers to play music. Windows 10 comes with built-in features that let you output audio through HDMI speakers and simultaneously.
Understanding HDMI and audio outputs
HDMI is not just video
HDMI is a high-definition multimedia interface that transmits video signals of excellent quality from a computer to an external display. It also transmits audio signals. If you connect your computer to a HDMI-compatible device like a monitor or TV, it may automatically redirect all audio to that device.
Audio output devices: more than just speakers
Alternatively, the built-in speakers on your PC or any external speakers that you connect are another audio output device. Windows 10 requires that you adjust certain settings if you want to simultaneously use your HDMI device as well as your speakers for audio output.
How to use HDMI and speakers at the same time in Windows 10
Connect your HDMI device
Ensure that the HDMI-compatible device (such as a monitor or TV) is connected properly to your computer. This can be done by plugging one end of your HDMI cable into the HDMI port of your PC and the other into the HDMI ports on your TV or Monitor.
Check Your Sound Settings
It’s now time to check the sound settings. Windows 10’s “Sound Settings” can be accessed by typing “Sound Settings” into the search bar, then clicking the option.
Select your output devices
You’ll find the “Output section” in the Sound Settings window. You can choose your audio output device here. You should see the name of your HDMI device if you PC switched audio output automatically when you connected. If you want your main audio output coming from your speakers, click on the drop-down list and select your speakers.
Volume of Apps and Device Preferences
You can control the sound more precisely by going to “App volume and device preference”. You can also find this in the Sound Settings. You can also assign different output devices to different apps. For example, you could choose to use your HDMI-connected TV with your movie player and your PC speakers for your music app.
What you need to know about compatibility and troubleshooting
Not all apps support audio output on multiple devices. Some apps may not be listed in the “App volume and Device preferences” section, or you might not be able to select their output device. Update your apps and devices if you are experiencing problems. These updates usually fix compatibility issues and other functionality issues.
conclusion
Windows 10 offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of audio output. You can use both your HDMI and speakers simultaneously with a small configuration. Check your settings, and make sure your apps and devices are up-to-date. Windows 10 offers a multi-audio experience. Enjoy it!
