AV receiver to PC.. HELP!

[rightclix]

Hi guys
Sorry if this a silly question but i'm confused on inputs and Outputs. So long story short since working from home due to Covid I have got a KVM hdmi switch to swap between my work laptop and my home pc. Here's where I am confused; the kvm hdmi goes to my pc gpu which was previously taken by the AV receiver PC input and the AV receiver output went to my hdmi monitor (standard stuff). Now my KVM is connected to my PC hdmi, how do I connect my AV receiver to my pc if I only have one hdmi input on my gpu?
Thanks

 

[Deleted member 39241]

I'm confused as well! The PC GPU should be an output rather than an input?

Why not use the AVR as the HDMI switch for your laptop and PC?

 

[Joe Fernand]

Default suggestion would be -

PC HDMI > KVM

AVR HDMI > KVM

KVM HDMI > Monitor

PC Digital Audio Optical > AVR.

Ideally list the make and model numbers of the various items and folk can advise on your optimal connectivity.

Joe

 

[rightclix]

So here is how it's currently set up :
KVM HDMI > PC
KVM HDMI > LAPTOP
KVM HDMI OUTPUT > MONITOR
AV RECEIVER > NOTHING

My GPU has HDMI , DVI , DISPLAY PORT
Will going down the Optical Audio path compromise sound quality? I would rather avoid it?
Will a HDMI splitter help so: KVM HDMI and AVR HDMI > HDMI SWITCH > PC

Make and models:
ONKYO -TX SR308
TESMART KVM SWITCH
HP ENVY PC > GEFORCE GTX 760

 

[Joe Fernand]

Think of the signal flow being Source > KVM > Display or Source > AVR > Display.

You could connect your kit in a couple of ways depending on how you want to use the system/access audio.

You could avoid the KVM and have the PC and Laptop direct to the AVR via HDMI then the AVR HDMI Out to the Monitor - many AVR's offer a 'standby passtrhru' option so when using the Laptop for office work you may not require the AVR to be powered on.

If you prefer to include the KVM I would connect as follows:

Laptop HDMI > KVM
PC HDMI > AVR (assuming the PC supports HD audio on its HDMI port*).
AVR HDMI Out > KVM
KVM HDMI Out > Monitor

*If the PC does not support audio on its HDMI Out you may have to consider an HDMI Out audio card or use Optical - which is more than capable enough for many folk but does lack HD audio support.

Joe

 

[Deleted member 39241]

Optical audio could be a downgrade, as it is limited to SD audio.

Do you need the KVM?

Can't you go..

Laptop to AVR via HDMI
PC to AVR via HDMI
AVR to monitor / TV via HDMI

Then use the AVR to switch between the laptop or PC.

 

[rightclix]

Think of the signal flow being Source > KVM > Display or Source > AVR > Display.

You could connect your kit in a couple of ways depending on how you want to use the system/access audio.

You could avoid the KVM and have the PC and Laptop direct to the AVR via HDMI then the AVR HDMI Out to the Monitor - many AVR's offer a 'standby passtrhru' option so when using the Laptop for office work you may not require the AVR to be powered on.

If you prefer to include the KVM I would connect as follows:

Laptop HDMI > KVM
PC HDMI > AVR (assuming the PC supports HD audio on its HDMI port*).
AVR HDMI Out > KVM
KVM HDMI Out > Monitor

*If the PC does not support audio on its HDMI Out you may have to consider an HDMI Out audio card or use Optical - which is more than capable enough for many folk but does lack HD audio support.

Joe

Sorry for bringing this back up guys but I haven't had a chance to try different configurations.

You could avoid the KVM and have the PC and Laptop direct to the AVR via HDMI then the AVR HDMI Out to the Monitor -
So that resolves the monitor issue as in 2 devices connected to the same monitor but how do I use one keyboard and mouse because that is still connected to the pc?

Laptop HDMI > KVM
PC HDMI > AVR (assuming the PC supports HD audio on its HDMI port*).
AVR HDMI Out > KVM
KVM HDMI Out > Monitor

I don't quite follow. The KVM only has one output to the monitor so how can I connect the AVR HDMI out > KVM
I've attached my kvm below


Amazon product

 

[Deleted member 39241]

how do I use one keyboard and mouse because that is still connected to the pc?

Use different ones? The laptop has them built in.

Or, a USB switch would probably do it.

 

[RBZ5416]

Laptop > KVM 1
PC > KVM 2
KVM Output > AVR Input.

This assumes that your AVR had HDMI passthrough when in standby if you want to use either device without sound from the AVR.