Change Audio Playback Devices - Mac

Overview:

If you do not hear any audio coming from the classroom speakers it could be due to a wrong playback device selected. This article will show you how to change and test playback devices on a Mac.

 

Before you begin:

Connect an HDMI or VGA with audio cable to your PC.  If your MacBook does not have an HDMI port you will need to use a mini DisplayPort (Thunderbolt) or USB-C adapter depending on the model of MacBook.


Mini Display Port:

Uses a digital signal that carries audio and video over a single cable and does not require any additional cables. An adapter can be used to send the signal over HDMI or VGA (VGA requires the 1/8” aux cable for sound).

White Mini Displayport to HDMI adapter Side profile of a Macbook computer showing the mini displayport on the side magnified


USB-C:

Uses a digital signal that carries audio and video over a single cable and does not require any additional cables.

Side profile of MacBook computer showing USB C port White USB C to HDMI adapter


HDMI:

Uses a digital signal that carries audio and video with a over cable and does not require any additional cables.

 Black HDMI cable connector


VGA:

Uses an analog signal that does not carry audio. VGA requires an additional 1/8” aux cable to be plugged into the headphone jack for sound to be played through the system.

Blue VGA connectorBlack aux cable - 1/8" stereo jack

 

Instructions:

1. Go to System Preferences

Mac settings icon - grey gear wheel

 

Click Sound

Mac system preferences dialog box with "sound" icon circled in red

Select the Output tab at the top if not already selected. Select the HDMI device if using an HDMI cable. Depending on the classroom the device could be called Extron, Crestron, SVSI, or HDMI device.

Note: The EPSON Projector audio device is only used when connecting to the projector wirelessly using the EasyMP software.

Mac sound options with output selected from top tab. Output devices listed:1. internal speakers 2. Epson projector audio