I've just set up my first monitor, the HP Compaq LA2306x, and I'm a bit confused about connecting everything. My laptop is an older HP Pavilion360, which comes with HDMI, USB-A, and USB-C ports. I assumed I could just use a regular HDMI cable, but I overlooked that my new monitor only has DVI-D, VGA, and DisplayPort options. From what I've found, DisplayPort doesn't guarantee audio like HDMI does. I have an external HP LCD speaker bar that uses both a 3.5mm jack and USB-A for power. I'm unsure how to connect everything properly and specifically where to plug in the USB-A for the soundbar—should it go into the laptop or the monitor? This is my first attempt at setting up an extended monitor, and I went with it since I got the monitor at a great deal and the soundbar for free. I'm on a budget, so I want to make sure I get this right before investing in extra cables and a hub.
3 Answers
You’ll need an HDMI to DVI adapter cable to connect your laptop to the monitor. For audio, just connect a 3.5mm audio cable from your laptop's speaker output to the soundbar's input, and you should be good to go.
If you have the option, I’d recommend using DisplayPort if it’s available. I actually prefer DisplayPort over HDMI for various reasons, though if you're stuck, DVI works in a pinch. Just try to avoid VGA if possible—it's a bit outdated.
I’m genuinely curious, why do you prefer DisplayPort over HDMI? I've read a lot about HDMI being the go-to, but I’m wondering if it has to do with sound capabilities or something else.
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