PI5: Successfully Playing YouTube Videos Sound via HDMI using Chromium, Failing with VLC media player
This article focuses on the issue encountered when trying to play YouTube videos with sound through an HDMI connection using Chromium and VLC media player. This issue is common among users with dedicated HDMI monitors and keyboards.
Background
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital interface that transmits audio and video signals from an HDMI-enabled source to an HDMI-enabled display. Chromium is an open-source web browser based on Google Chrome, while VLC media player is a free and open-source media player that can play various multimedia files.
Successfully Playing YouTube Videos Sound via HDMI using Chromium
To play YouTube videos with sound via HDMI using Chromium, follow these steps:
- Connect your HDMI monitor, keyboard, and mouse to your computer.
- Open Google Chrome or Chromium web browser.
- Go to the YouTube website and play a video.
- Check the audio output settings by clicking on the speaker icon in the bottom right corner of the browser.
- Select "HDMI Device" as the output device.
Once you have selected "HDMI Device" as the output device, the sound should be played through your HDMI monitor.
Failing to Play YouTube Videos Sound via HDMI using VLC media player
However, when trying to play YouTube videos with sound via HDMI using VLC media player, users may encounter issues. This is due to the fact that VLC media player does not support YouTube's DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection.
Troubleshooting
There are a few workarounds that users can try when encountering this issue:
- Install a browser extension like "TubeMate" or "FlashGot" that allows downloading YouTube videos and playing them locally using VLC media player.
- Use a different media player that supports YouTube's DRM protection, such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
- Use a different method to connect your computer to the HDMI monitor, such as using a USB-C to HDMI adapter instead of a dedicated HDMI cable.
It is important to note that using browser extensions to download YouTube videos may violate YouTube's terms of service and copyright laws.
In conclusion, while Chromium successfully plays YouTube videos with sound via HDMI, VLC media player may fail due to YouTube's DRM protection. Users can try a few workarounds to play YouTube videos with sound via HDMI using VLC media player, but it is important to consider the legal and ethical implications of downloading YouTube videos using browser extensions.