Audio solution needed for three inputs to PC monitor

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OldSoulCyborg
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Joined in 2010

PostAudio solution needed for three inputs to PC monitor
by OldSoulCyborg » Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:35 pm

I have a PC, Nintendo Switch and PS4 that I want to plug in to the same PC monitor. Until now I've been using an HDMI switch for the PC and Switch, with my external speakers connected to the Switch's headphone jack (I use headphones with my PC).

This has been working fine, but I'll be hooking my PS4 back up soon and I want the audio to come through the aforementioned speakers (I'd rather not be limited to headphones through the jack on the controller).


Potential solutions that I am aware of:
I could buy a new monitor with a headphone jack (or good enough built in speakers). Not fond of this because it's probably going to be the most expensive. Also aware the built in speakers probably won't be good enough.

I could get an HDMI audio extractor. This is probably the simplest and cheapest solution.
I had an audio extractor some months ago though, and it wouldn't work if it was connected inbetween the HDMI switch and the monitor (so it only solved the audio for one device, while I would ideally want all three devices to have their audio come through the speakers). The HDMI switch may have been at fault there...
Also the audio extractor I had died one time the power went out.

I could buy a soundbar with HDMI in and HDMI out.
This solution appeals the most, but I am worried that it will add latency either to the video (should just pass it straight through to the monitor, but I'm not sure) or the audio (more likely, could be some processing going on).
Also space could be an issue. It has to fit on my desk along with my PC, monitor, keyboard and mouse.


Any tech and/or home theater experts who could advice me on this?

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satriales
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Joined in 2008

PostRe: Audio solution needed for three inputs to PC monitor
by satriales » Wed Jan 03, 2018 8:59 pm

I have a Yamaha amplifier to connect PC and PS4 to my monitor. If the Nintendo Switch uses HDMI then there's no reason that couldn't be added too.
The amp basically has a load of HDMI inputs, then an HDMI output for my monitor and outputs for the speakers. Can switch between PC and PS4 using the remote.

Before this I had an old optical amplifier but had to connect the PS4 audio using the headphone jack in the controller. Digital amp solves this by using HDMI.

Edit: Just noticed it has to sit on your desk. I was short on space too and so put a small table under my desk with the amp sitting on top of this.

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OldSoulCyborg
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Joined in 2010

PostRe: Audio solution needed for three inputs to PC monitor
by OldSoulCyborg » Wed Jan 03, 2018 10:12 pm

satriales wrote:I have a Yamaha amplifier to connect PC and PS4 to my monitor. If the Nintendo Switch uses HDMI then there's no reason that couldn't be added too.
The amp basically has a load of HDMI inputs, then an HDMI output for my monitor and outputs for the speakers. Can switch between PC and PS4 using the remote.

Before this I had an old optical amplifier but had to connect the PS4 audio using the headphone jack in the controller. Digital amp solves this by using HDMI.

Edit: Just noticed it has to sit on your desk. I was short on space too and so put a small table under my desk with the amp sitting on top of this.


Yeah, space would be an issue with that. No space underneath my desk really. A soundbar might have worked because it's thin enough, but I've just been doing a bit more research and the soundbars I had been looking at do not have any HDMI connections on them. The soundbars that do have HDMI cost quite a bit more. That puts that option into a similar price range as a new monitor.

Just thought of something. Maybe I should just replace my HDMI switch with a slightly fancier one that has audio out? Only problem is finding a good one, either locally or online with global shipping.

Edit: Alright, I found this thing on Amazon US:

https://www.amazon.com/Tendak-Switcher- ... ZWPLX?th=1

As for powering the device I should be fine with just a plug converter and the included cable, right?


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