How to split audio from HTPC

cjohn84

Estimable
Jun 16, 2014
1
0
4,510
I have a living room HTPC. We watch 90% of our TV in the living room, but we also have a TV in the bedroom. I use an HDMI splitter to split the video among the living room TV and bedroom TV. I use and IR extender to control the HTPC from the bedroom.

My issue is with getting audio to both TVs. In the living room, we use a soundbar connected to the HTPC via optical cable. I've changed the Audio settings on the HTPC to output to optical. This prevents the audio from being sent to the bedroom TV. What are the most economical options to get audio to the bedroom.

I've considered the following, but none are great alternatives.
1.) I could toggle the audio setting on the soundcard to output to HDMI every time I want to watch in the bedroom. This would be annoying.
2.) Do TVs have optical inputs? I doubt it, but if they did, I could split the optical and connect to each the soundbar and bedroom TV.
2b.) Do I just need to add a soundbar to the bedroom TV?
3.) Can the HTPC simultaneously output its audio to HDMI and optical. I've read some on this, and it doesn't appear to be possible.
4.) Given the set-up I've described, would I have been better off getting a soundbar with HDMI inputs?
 

tomc53

Estimable
Jun 6, 2014
52
0
4,610
It just occured to me, Have you checked you TV to see if it has an optical output? You might be able to send from the HTPC to the TV on HDMI, and then let the TV output on Optical to the soundbar...

If not here's a possible alternative:
1. optical splitter: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=966
2. convert to analog: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=6884
3. long wires: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=5350 or http://www.monoprice.com/Product?p_id=3597
4. speaker: Your choice. could be direct to the TV, or http://www.walmart.com/ip/Philips-SoundBar-Speaker-HTL2101A-F7/28199767