Video output
On Raspberry Pi based screens, Video output chooses between HDMI and Composite/RCA.
HDMI is the default and what you want. Composite exists for older displays that have no digital input at all, and choosing it also asks for a Mode: PAL or NTSC, matching the region the display was built for. Composite is standard definition, so expect it to look like standard definition.
Selecting composite switches audio to the 3.5 mm jack at the same time, since composite carries no sound.
Audio output
Audio output chooses between HDMI and the 3.5 mm jack, on Raspberry Pi based screens and on the Player Max.
HDMI is the default, and it is right whenever the display has speakers you want to use. Choose the jack when sound goes to a separate amplifier, a soundbar, or ceiling speakers.
The setting is not available when video output is composite, because composite has already forced the jack.
When there is no sound
Check these in order, because the last one catches most cases.
- The content has audio at all. Video uploaded from a silent source stays silent.
- This setting matches where the speakers actually are.
- The display’s own volume, and its mute. A display muted at the panel produces exactly the same symptom as a misconfigured player.
HDMI carrying no sound
If a Raspberry Pi based screen shows a picture over HDMI but plays nothing, look at HDMI drive in the HDMI settings. Set to DVI mode, it deliberately sends no audio.