How to get remote audio on a headless NUC7i7DNKE?

[OJS]

I have used headless NUCs for remote operations for many years. I need remote audio from the NUC so I have learned to live with the fact that you can only get remote audio from the NUC if something (with a load) is plugged into the headphone output. Now, with the NUC7i7DNKE there is no headhone output, only HDMI. I get audio OK if a screen is connected via HDMI, but no audio without ... 

The NUC is placed in a location with very little space, so it is impossible to connect a screen. Also, I need all 4 USB outputs for measuring equipment (powered by the USB port), so I cannot use an external DAC either. 

Is there any way to get audio working on this NUC?

OJ in Norway

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello @OJS

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

In regards to this request, please allows us to review this further and we will be posting back in the thread as soon as more details are available.

Best regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[n_scott_pearson · Accepted solution]

Have you tried using a HDMI dummy plug (like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FB8GJ1Z)?

...S

[OJS]

Hi Scott,

Thank you for your reply and suggestion. It took me some time to get one (I live in a remote area), but I got at HDMI dummy plug in the mail today, and yes - it works!

Best regards,

OJS

[Ronny_G_Intel]

Hi @OJS 

I would say the dummy plug should work as mentioned by @n_scott_pearson. 

I am going to let the community help you with this issue as this is more of a "how-to" and not really a problem with the product and I don't have an HDMI dummy plug for testing.

Regards,

Ronny G

[OJS]

Correct - it did work as Scott suggested. Case closed!
Best regards;

OJS

[n_scott_pearson]

I knew that this could work because I "got a deal" and bought three 4K-compliant versions for US$8 total. After making the post and thinking about it again, I was worried that there could be some cheap ones in the marketplace that didn't publish an audio capability in the EDID information and that this is what you would accidently purchase (yea, I know, 3 for US$8, you'd think this would have applied to mine).

Anyway, glad it worked out,

...S

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello OJS

Thank you very much for your response and for the feedback. We are glad to know that this works with the HDMI* dummy plug. Thank you n_scott_pearson for the assistance provided in this thread.

Also, since the thread has been marked as "Solved" we will proceed to close this inquiry now. If you need any additional information, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician