Windows is considering soundbar as a screen ! how to avoid this ?

Christophe · Jan 16, 2024

Hi, on my laptop, I have connected a screen via USB-C port and a soundbar via HDMI port.
But each time I move an application window between my 2 laptop screen and my external monitor (using Win+Shift+Arrow key left/right keyboard short), my application disappears and reappears !
I have discovered that this is because Windows is considering the soundbar as a screen !! How can I tell to Windows that this is not a screen ? (I just want audio)

Berton · Jan 16, 2024

If it were mine I would consider plugging the monitor into the HDMI port and the soundbar into a USB port or possibly the speaker or line out port on the sound adapter. I can do it that way on a 27" monitor I was given.

Christophe · Jan 17, 2024

Berton said:
If it were mine I would consider plugging the monitor into the HDMI port and the soundbar into a USB port or possibly the speaker or line out port on the sound adapter. I can do it that way on a 27" monitor I was given.

How have you concretely connected your speaker to your 27 monitor ?
I am exactly in the same position, I have a 27 monitor and want to have sound coming from my soundbar. The natural way for me was to use HDMI like I am doing on my TV.

Berton · Jan 17, 2024

Christophe said:
How have you concretely connected your speaker to your 27 monitor ?

My 27" monitor is an ASUS and has 4 input choices, HDMI, VGA, DVI and DisplayPort [selectable by a switch on it] and has internal speakers in it that connect to a computer by the usual audio cable.

bobkn · Jan 17, 2024

Berton said:
My 27" monitor is an ASUS and has 4 input choices, HDMI, VGA, DVI and DisplayPort [selectable by a switch on it] and has internal speakers in it that connect to a computer by the usual audio cable.

I don't understand how this is supposed to help "Christophe" avoid having his soundbar from being seen as a monitor.

A little Web searching found it to be a frequently encountered issue, with no robust solution. One solution would be to not use an HDMI connection to the soundbar. As the models of the soundbar and laptop weren't provided, I can't guess whether other interfaces would be available.

Berton · Jan 17, 2024

bobkn said:
One solution would be to not use an HDMI connection to the soundbar.

That was my thought for a solution. Most times HDMI is for video but devices like the cable boxes use HDMI that includes video and sound for TVs that can accommodate them. My DVD recorder/player doesn't have HDMI output to the TV so 3 RCA cables have to be used.

Edwin · Jan 17, 2024

Multimedia Interface, it's the nature of the beast.
Just as the OP doesn't want their Sound Bar showing as a monitor, I don't wish to have my LG monitor showing up as an audio device.
Only thing is, I can disable it and hide it!

Christophe · Jan 18, 2024

bobkn said:
A little Web searching found it to be a frequently encountered issue, with no robust solution. One solution would be to not use an HDMI connection to the soundbar. As the models of the soundbar and laptop weren't provided, I can't guess whether other interfaces would be available.

I have a Dell Latitude 5320 and use a Dell WD22TB4 dock. My external monitor is Asus ProArt PA279CV.
My soundbar is Dell Soundbar 500. It does have a optical cable input, but my PC/dock/monitor does not have an optical cable output. There are optical adapters (I do not own one) but I find this weird to have to use such complicate thing when a simple HDMi could be use.
AUX port is analogic and cannot be recommended in 2024. How do people digitally connect speakers to their computer?

Edwin · Jan 18, 2024

Christophe said:
How do people digitally connect speakers to their computer?

I would imagine USB or, more commonly, Bluetooth.

Christophe · Jan 18, 2024

Edwin said:
I would imagine USB or, more commonly, Bluetooth.

Speakers do not have USB port.
Bluetooth speaker connection is by far the worse solution for a desk setup (voices are not in sync with lips on videos)

bobkn · Jan 18, 2024

Christophe said:
I have a Dell Latitude 5320 and use a Dell WD22TB4 dock. My external monitor is Asus ProArt PA279CV.
My soundbar is Dell Soundbar 500. It does have a optical cable input, but my PC/dock/monitor does not have an optical cable output. There are optical adapters (I do not own one) but I find this weird to have to use such complicate thing when a simple HDMi could be use.
AUX port is analogic and cannot be recommended in 2024. How do people digitally connect speakers to their computer?

Thanks for providing the details.

Is the "Dell Soundbar 500" the JBL unit?

If so, I don't know what to suggest. It has a USB port, but apparently it's not usable as a PC audio interface. Maybe an SPDIF/optical adapter would be your best option, to circumvent the issues with HDMI. Kludgy and extra cost, but...

My desktop audio is Kef Eggs, plus a small sub. They have a variety of interfaces (no HDMI), but the one I use is USB.

Christophe · Jan 18, 2024

Sorry I made a mistake it is: Bose Soundbar 500 (not Dell)
It does not have a USB input.

bobkn · Jan 18, 2024

Christophe said:
Sorry I made a mistake it is: Bose Soundbar 500 (not Dell)
It does not have a USB input.

https://assets.bosecreative.com/m/10b64cc5e09ca480/original/810604_OG_SB500-SOUNDBAR_enUS.pdf

(There's a USB port, but it appears to mainly be used for firmware updates.)

I think that the Dell's USB port also can't be used as an audio interface to a PC, although it can play music from a USB drive.

My impression is that a USB to Toslink (SPDIF optical adapter) might be your easiest solution. At Amazon, there are many, starting at around $15US. SPDIF is an archaic interface, but it should be OK for 5.1 audio. (The Bose 500 looks like a 5.1 channel device: 5 speakers plus a subwoofer output.)

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