Understanding The Different Ports

The first step is to see what kind of computer monitor you have. If you have an old monitor, most likely the only port available is the VGA port. Newer computer monitors also include the HDMI, DVI, and Display-Port (DP). Whichever port you have, we provide connectivity instructions and product recommendations for you.

Adding Audio To Monitor with VGA Port

If you are trying to connect a device that has an HDMI cord or port (Example: Fire TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X), you will need the following:

1. HDMI Audio Extractor (Purchase on Amazon)
2. HDMI to VGA Adapter (Purchase on Amazon)
3. VGA Cord (Purchase on Amazon)
4. Computer Speakers or Soundbar with Aux or RCA Ports (Purchase on Amazon)
5. Aux Cable (Purchase on Amazon) or
6. RCA Cables (Purchase on Amazon)

Setup Instructions:

1. Connect Your HDMI-enabled device (Example: Fire TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X) to the HDMI Audio Extractors HDMI Input Port.
2. Connect the HDMI to VGA Adapter into the HDMI Audio Extractors HDMI Output Port.
3. Plug the VGA Cord into the HDMI to VGA Adapter.
4. Plug the other end of the VGA Cord into your Computer Monitor.
5. Connect the Aux Cable or RCA Cable into both the HDMI Audio Extractor and Computer Speaker or Soundbar.
6. Power on the HDMI Audio Extractor, Soundbar/Speaker, Computer Monitor, and HDMI Media Device.
7. Test the sound, it should be working correctly.

Adding Audio to Monitor with HDMI Port

Computer monitors with an HDMI Port are the standard nowadays. This step requires 1 less component, for the simple fact, there is no video conversion necessary. You will need the following products to get started:

1. HDMI Audio Extractor (Purchase on Amazon)
2. HDMI Cord (Purchase on Amazon)
3. Computer Speakers or Soundbar with Aux or RCA Ports (Purchase on Amazon)
4. Aux Cable (Purchase on Amazon) or
5. RCA Cables (Purchase on Amazon)

Setup Instructions:

1. Connect Your HDMI-enabled device (Example: Fire TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X) to the HDMI Audio Extractors HDMI Input Port.
2. Connect your HDMI Cable into the HDMI Audio Extractors HDMI Output Port.
3. Plug the other end of the HDMI Cable into your Computer Monitor.
4. Connect the Aux Cable or RCA Cable into both the HDMI Audio Extractor and Computer Speaker or Soundbar.
5. Power on the HDMI Audio Extractor, Soundbar/Speaker, Computer Monitor, and HDMI Media Device.
6. Test the sound, it should be working correctly.

Adding Audio to Monitor with DVI Port

If your computer monitor does not have either a VGA Port or HDMI port and only a DVI Port, here are the items you need to get started:

1. HDMI Audio Extractor (Purchase on Amazon)
2. HDMI to DVI Cable (Purchase on Amazon)
3. Computer Speakers or Soundbar with Aux or RCA Ports (Purchase on Amazon)
4. Aux Cable (Purchase on Amazon) or
5. RCA Cables (Purchase on Amazon)

Setup Instructions:

1. Connect Your HDMI-enabled device (Example: Fire TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X) to the HDMI Audio Extractors HDMI Input Port.
2. Connect the HDMI to DVI Cable into the HDMI Audio Extractors HDMI Output Port.
3. Plug the other end of the HDMI to DVI Cable into your Computer Monitor.
4. Connect the Aux Cable or RCA Cable into both the HDMI Audio Extractor and Computer Speaker or Soundbar.
5. Power on the HDMI Audio Extractor, Soundbar/Speaker, Computer Monitor, and HDMI Media Device.
6. Test the sound, it should be working correctly.

Overview

Any computer monitor can turn into an HD television where you can watch movies, stream tv shows, and play video games on. As long as you have the correct products to extract audio from your HDMI-enabled media device, you will be able to hear audio using speakers, a soundbar, or even headphones.

If you run into any problems with your setup, feel free to drop comments below.

The post How To Add HDMI Audio To Any Computer Monitor appeared first on Chef Audio.

This is a common error that users face and it’s an easy fix depending on the source of the problem. Below, we provide you with a list of ways to diagnose the problem so you can get sound working again.

Troubleshooting Your Headphones Sound

1) Plugging In Your Headphones

Simple test, unplug your headphones, then replug them in to see if that fixes the problem. Some computers respond to plug-and-play devices, especially headphones or external speakers. When you plug in your headphones, usually an dialog box alerts you of that action.

2) Check to See if Audio is Enabled

Check to see if the audio on your computer is enabled. To check this, simply go to the bottom right tray, and click on the white speaker icon. If the icon is muted, it will have a red symbol over it. Raise the level as loud as you can and see if that works.

3) Faulty Headphones

Are your headphones working? Plug your headphones into another device (like your mobile phone) and see if they work. Some headphones can have a short, broken or exposed wire, damaged aux male port, and more. The obvious answer is to get a new pair of headphones.

4) Setting Headphones to Default

Selecting Headphones as your default sound device. Usually by default, your laptop speakers are selected. As mentioned in step 1, when you plug in your headphones, depending on your laptop, your settings should automatically detect your headphones. If that is not the case, do the following:

1. At the bottom right tray, click on the sound icon.
2. Where it says Speakers, click on the dropdown arrow.
3. Select Headphones and increase the audio level.

Another way to interact with the sound settings is to:

1. In the windows search, type in Sound, then click on Sound.
2. Click on Headphones, then click on Set Default.
3. Click apply to save settings.
4. Now test to see if sound is working.

5) Updating Your Audio Drivers

Audio drivers are not up-to-date. This method is the most overlooked because we assume it’s not common for drivers to be missing or “out-of-date” on a computer. Here’s a way to update your audio drivers to get your headphones working again.

Windows 10 Method:

1. In the search located on your Taskbar, type in Sound.
2. Click Troubleshooting.
3. Follow the onscreen wizard. The sound drivers on your computer will automatically get uninstalled, then reinstalled.
4. When the update is complete, check to see if you have sound again.

Alternative Method:

Download CCleaner Pro

1. The latest version of CCleaner Pro has the option to update the drivers on your computer.
2. Download it from here.
3. Install it
4. Run Driver Updater.

6) Windows Update

Usually keeping windows up-to-date will eliminate any issues with software and hardware on your computer. It’s a good measure to enable Automatic Updates so that your computer continues to run smoothly.

1. To update your Windows Laptop, goto Start or Your Windows Search Bar, type in Windows Update.
2. Click on Windows Update, then click on Check for updates. Windows will scan your computer for all the necessary updates you need.
3. Click on Install Updates.
4. Once completed, restart your computer.

The post How To Fix Headphones Not Working on Laptop for Windows PC (Solution) appeared first on Chef Audio.

How To Convert YouTube Videos to MP3

1. Download The Software From 4Kdownload.com (Available for PC, MAC, Linux)
2. Install the software and add a shortcut to your desktop
3. Open a tab in your web browser and head over to YouTube to search for either a Video, Playlist, or Channel you would like to download and convert to MP3
4. Once you find your selection, have that page open. Goto your URL Address Bar, select the entire address, right click, then select ‘Copy‘
5. Open the 4K Video Downloader software
6. Click on the Green Plus button called ‘Paste Link‘. This will automatically paste your selection (video, playlist, or channel) into 4K Video Downloader software
7. A popup box will appear on the screen where it will allow you to adjust settings for your MP3 file(s)
8. In the first dropdown box, select ‘Extract Audio‘. In the format dropdown box, select ‘MP3’.
9. Choose your sound quality. (I recommend selecting ‘Original Quality‘)
10. Choose the destination (on your computer or portable storage) you would like to save your file into, then click on ‘Extract‘

Once you have successfully downloaded and converted your YouTube video(s) into MP3, you are now able to upload your file(s) to a music listening device of your choice. Want to convert videos from other social channels such as Vimeo, Facebook, and Soundcloud? 4K Downloader also gives you the ability to do so.

The post How To Use 4k Video Downloader To Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 appeared first on Chef Audio.

Positives of using a computer monitor:

• It free’s up the television in the house
• Allows you to connect to any compatible desktop monitor.
• Connect to any audio speaker that has an aux port
• Gives you the option to use any pair of headphones

If your monitor has no audio speakers

What you need:

• Computer Monitor With HDMI or DVI Port * – See on Amazon
• HDMI (Male) to HDMI (Male) ** – See on Amazon
• Optical Audio Cable – See on Amazon
• Digital to Analog Audio Converter – See on Amazon
• 3.5mm Audio Cable (White/Red) – See on Amazon
• Aux Cable (Male to Male) – See on Amazon
• Listening device (Headphones or Speakers) with Aux input.

*If your computer monitor does not have an HDMI port but has a DVI-D port, than instead of the HDMI to HDMI cable, you will need the ** HDMI (Male) to DVI-D (Male) Cable – See on Amazon.

Setting up Your Monitor

1. Plug the Optical Audio Cable into your game console and into the Audio Converter.
2. Plug the Audio Cable into the Audio Converter
3. For Speakers – Plug the Aux Cable (Male) into the Audio Cable Port (Female)
4. For Headphones – Plug the headphones aux cord into the Audio Cable Port (Female)
5. Turn on your game console
6. Depending on the monitor, on the screen, a message will flash asking for you to adjust your refresh-rate or screen resolution. Apply the new setting.

Conclusion

Now you know how to play your game consoles on any computer monitor with sound. For a soundless monitor to have sound you need to acquire an audio converter and a optical audio cable. Optical audio cables are used for surround sound and home theater stereo systems.

The post How To Play Video Game Consoles (PS4, Xbox One, NSW) With Sound On A Computer Monitor appeared first on Chef Audio.