Ever connect a device to your display or monitor (not TVs, as they clearly have volume control) to find audio running down that you don’t want? For example, a DSLR plugged into a monitor via the camera’s HDMI-out port so that you can use it as a preview monitor as you record, but you find that your mics are also running to the monitor and the DSLR doesn’t have the option to mute audio going out HDMI. There is an incredibly easy way to solve this if your monitor/display has a headphone-out jack.
There are actually a number of ways to attempt to do this, but not all of them achieve the result you might expect. For example, many (or even AI) will suggest using an HDMI audio extractor. However, most HDMI extractors simply split the audio vs remove it from the HDMI. So you will end up splitting it both ways vs removing it.
Another potential method could be using an HDMI splitter that has EDID control, but only if the EDID switches have the option to remove (or de-embed) the audio. Most EDID-controllable splitters lack this function and simply allow you to specify the format (ie, stereo, 5.1, 7.1, etc).
You could also invest in something expensive like a Decimator and try to de-embed the audio from there. But this is wasteful when it comes to spending and just doesn’t make any sense when the solution could be so simple.
So how do you do it? If your monitor/display has a headphone jack (and many modern models do), all you have to do is find a small 3.5mm (male) to “anything else” adapter. For example, in the main header image above, we used a simple 3.5mm to RCA adapter. Something that typically will cost you less than $1.00, making for an affordable solution.
Most of those headphone ports will mute the built-in speakers of a monitor/display if detected. So slide it in and there goes that annoying audio playing through the monitor. It really is as simple as that. At least, assuming that your monitor has a headphone jack (of course).