The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Does HDMI output sound?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by chesieofdarock, May 5, 2008.

  1. chesieofdarock

    chesieofdarock Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    314
    Messages:
    1,156
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    This is probably a dumb question, but does HDMI output sound aswell as video? I always thought HDMI only outputted video and you still needed audio cables. Whats the answer?
     
    chesieofdarock, May 5, 2008
    #1
  2. jin07

    jin07 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,194
    Messages:
    1,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Yes, it can output sound as well. I think HDMI is classified as a digital audio/video connector.
     
    jin07, May 5, 2008
    #2
  3. Amol

    Amol APH! NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,832
    Messages:
    1,850
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    HDMI is an acronym for “High-Definition Multi-Media Interface™,” which means that both audio and video are included [the word "multi-media" should be sufficient hint].
     
    Amol, May 5, 2008
    #3
  4. Ayle

    Ayle Trailblazer

    Reputations:
    877
    Messages:
    3,707
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    106
    But the presence of sound will depends of the device outputting through it capabilities.
     
    Ayle, May 5, 2008
    #4
  5. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

    Reputations:
    6,156
    Messages:
    11,214
    Likes Received:
    68
    Trophy Points:
    466
    HDMI can play both high quality digital video/audio. Most notebooks support digial audio
     
    flipfire, May 5, 2008
    #5
  6. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    The HDMI interface indeed carries digital sound, its basically the combination of a DVI and a Optical Digital sound output into one interface. However your device in question can only have one or the other actually hooked up to and using the interface.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, May 6, 2008
    #6
  7. deputy963

    deputy963 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    117
    Messages:
    366
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    HDMI, in the broad sense, CAN do digital video resolutions up to 1080p as well as 5.1 digital audio. Now, depending on your devices you may not have these capabilities. Most laptops with HDMI do not output audio. Many devices (Xbox360, Motorola cable boxes, etc) only output 2 channel audio over HDMI, requiring an optical or coaxial cable if you plan to use 5.1 audio.

    So the best answer to your question is read specs for anything you wish to purchase and ask questions before you buy.
     
    deputy963, May 6, 2008
    #7
  8. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Most laptops do indeed have audio on the hdmi, but most people do not know how to enable it! you have to manually turn on digital output from your audio control panel in most cases, it is not just plug and play.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, May 6, 2008
    #8
  9. ms500

    ms500 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    185
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    HDMI usually carries digital audio in the S/PDIF format.
     
    ms500, May 6, 2008
    #9
  10. TheGreatGrapeApe

    TheGreatGrapeApe Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    322
    Messages:
    668
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No S/PDIF is a different format, and more limited in both bandwidth and usually signal format type. HDMI now carries a multitude of formats both compressed and uncompressed, and as a connection type is outside of the S/PDIF spec.

    This may help people;
    http://www.hdmi.com/learningcenter/faq.aspx

    HDMI carries audio and video (although not everything supplies or receives both), DVI can carry Audio in it's additional/spare bandwidth, but it's limited to the extra bandiwdth available in the unused data pins, Display port has optional audio support, which will likely mature like HDMI over time.
     
    TheGreatGrapeApe, May 6, 2008
    #10