Simultaneous audio over HDMI and line out optical

Question

Anyone know if this is possible on the new mini?
I currently use an AppleTV with HDMI to TV and optical digital to my older surround processor which does not accept HDMI.
AppleTV is useful in that it outputs audio simultaneously over all audio connections - I suspect new Mac Mini might only allow single audio output at a time.

Answer 1

MacProCT wrote:
Alley_Cat wrote:
...I assume by saying this you're implying you can deliver video over HDMI but audio over toslink through the line out i.e. audio out to non-HDMI destinations is not automatically disabled by an active HDMI connection...
Correct. You choose your audio output in the sound control panel (or Option-click on the sound icon in toolbar).
That's ideal then really.
...- that would then allow HDMI video to TV, toslink to AV processor, and analogue audio from AV processor to TV analogue audio in to use when you only need the audio via TV speakers...
I doubt the TV will take an analog audio in at the same time as HDMI video in. It likely only accepts analog audio on inputs that are also analog for video (component, s-video, composite).
You're right, unlilely to be configurable for HDMI, there might be the odd set that allowed something like this but in general most wouldn't.
...A small utility/script might be feasible to toggle between the two on the Mini...
Yes, entirely possible.
Another option would be to do what I do: Disable the TV speakers and use the receiver for all sound. Since TV speakers suck, this is a great option. I haven't used built-in TV speakers for at least 15 years.
I generally do that too, just sometimes for late night listening when others are in bed I switch to the TV speakers, but actually it'd be far easier with no TV audio as you'd not run into those instances when both TV and hi-fi are outputting and messing up the audio effect entirely.