How to Connect Your Monaco System (SoundSend) to a PC?
Q: Can I plug the WiSA SoundSend directly into my PC’s HDMI port?
A: No, a direct HDMI connection from a PC to the SoundSend will not work.
The SoundSend requires an HDMI ARC or eARC connection. Standard computer graphics cards and motherboards output standard HDMI Audio and Video, which uses a completely different processing method. Because a PC does not natively generate an ARC/eARC signal, it cannot communicate directly with the SoundSend via HDMI.
Q: How can I use an HDMI connection between my PC and the Monaco system?
A: If you want to use HDMI, there are two highly effective workarounds to bridge the connection:
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Option 1: Display Passthrough (Easiest for TV setups) Connect your PC to your TV or monitor using a standard HDMI cable to send both video and audio to the display. If your display device features an HDMI ARC or eARC port, you can plug the SoundSend into that specific port on the display, utilizing its passthrough capabilities.
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Option 2: Use an HDMI ARC Extractor You can introduce additional hardware, such as an HDMI Audio ARC extractor (e.g., the HD Fury Arcana). This device takes the standard HDMI signal from your PC, splits the video and audio into two different streams, and actively generates the ARC/eARC signal required by the SoundSend.
Q: Is there a simpler way to connect my PC directly to the SoundSend?
A: Yes! The most straightforward way to connect a PC to the SoundSend is by using the Optical port. Simply run an optical audio cable directly from your computer's optical audio output into the optical input on the SoundSend.
Q: What if my PC does not have a built-in Optical audio output?A: If your computer lacks a native optical port, you can easily add this functionality. You have two convenient options:
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External USB Audio Card: Purchase a simple, plug-and-play USB external sound card adapter that features an optical output.
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Internal Audio Card: If you use a desktop PC, you can install a dedicated internal sound card that includes an optical port.
Once installed, simply connect the optical cable from your new audio card directly to the SoundSend.