How can I make a smart TV streaming device (Chromecast, Kodi, etc) use speakers connected to my Linux computer?
How can I make a smart TV streaming device (Chromecast, Kodi, etc) use speakers connected to my Linux computer?
Hello all,
I have speakers of decent quality connected to my Linux pc which I use for gaming.
I want to be able to use the same speakers when I watch TV. I currently have a Chromecast with Jellyfin client running. Jellyfin is actually running on the Linux pc I mentioned earlier.
What would be the best way to play the audio from the tv content I'm watching from those speakers?
I was considering if it's possible if pulseaudio could be used in a client server model, and somehow have something like Kodi use it?
I am willing to replace my Chromecast with a raspberry pi or a similar device if it solves this issue.
One option is to play the stream on your PC, and hook up the TV as another monitor using a HDMI or other video cable.
That's a good idea. Is there a way to make that as easy to use as Chromecast? Currently I operate Chromecast using its remote and just play something. I can use the remote or my phone to pause or rewind. Can I do something similar using my PC, without having to reach for the keyboard?
I used to run a kodi setup controlled by the kodi app on my phone. You could try that.
KDE Connect has media controls, among other things. It's great as a remote control for your PC, I've used it countless times to control media playback, presentations, ...
Do you have a second aux on that audio setup? That would be the easiest way IMO.
Does Chromecast has Bluetooth? If yes, setup a Bluetooth a2dp sink on your main PC and make the Chromecast device connect to it as audio output.
If not, your only option would be cables. Some TVs (I don't know if all, but all my previous TVs were like this) had their speaker and headphones outputs separately. You can set the speaker output volume with the remote, but the headphones have a different volume controller, independent from the "main" one.
Use a stereo jack splitter cable at your external speaker set and connect your PC and TV's headphone out to it. This way your TV can use the external speakers regardless what you watch on it.
A bit different approach would be to get a separate machine as your media player. Get some cheap ass 4th gen Intel small formfactor machines (like HP Elite SFFs or USDTs) and install libreELEC on it. It is much more capable than a chromecast device and you can hook up the PC itself to your speakers - either with Bluetooth or with a splitter cable. Or both; add a Bluetooth transmitter to the machine and a receiver with a splitter to the speaker.
Tho keep in mind that with wireless, some delay may occur.
back in the days I had my Linux-PC run as a bluetooth-sink, that'd work for directly connecting some chromecast to the pc
but if you'd have some audio-out on your TV (or whatever station between your chromecast and tv) then you could connect your line-in on your PC to that (and have a much preferable cable connection)
If you're willing to replace your Chromecast, you could configure your raspberry pi (or whatever Linux based replacement) to use a remote Pulseaudio server.
You might be able to find an HDMI audio splitter/extractor thing for cheaper than a Pi. If you get a Pi you would want to buy a HAT for the audio out so the sound isn't degraded (since you have decent speakers).
Then the rest depends on the speakers or your amp. Let your wallet decide, though.
Our local charity shop sells an hdmi adapter that splits the audio stream out to a TRS (headphone) socket for just $4. Put that between the ChromeCast and the TV and feed it to the line in ok the PC and I think you're done.