Multiple simultaneous audio outputs in windows 7

Anonymous
2009-12-04T01:29:16+00:00

I have seen multiple questions about enabling multiple audio outputs simultaneously in windows vista and 7, like example SPDIF and analog output, everytime answer is that its not supported by windows 7. Why is that? Why isnt it supported it worked fine in XP, could you guys give some details why isnt it supported anymore?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2012-01-09T06:15:33+00:00

Actually I have a very simple easy solution. It is very possible to have multiple audio outputs in win7. Well at least for this persons issue. I am the same way, I want to watch movies on my tv through the pc via hdmi but dont want to hear the sound of stuff on the pc through the tv speakers or vice versa.  So here is the simple solution.

If you use windows media player for watching the video its very easy.

  1. open windows media player
  2. right click, click tools, then options
  3. click devices tab
  4. click speakers, then properties
  5. select audio device (select HDMI output)
  6. click ok, then ok again.

All sounds through windows media player will now be played through the hdmi output and all other sounds from vlc media player, youtube, etc. will continue to play through the pc speakers.

It took me about 2 weeks to find that out. But it works.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-05-12T17:42:43+00:00

    (...) now I just need to be able to send audio to the control room and chamber at the same time at variable volumes..(...)

    Hope this helps:

    Windows default mixer has a device button on the left. It allows you, after some prep, to do exactly that: send audio to different outputs and change volume for each output.

    This allows me to play music on laptop and hear it on laptop, and play movie as well (with tv through hdmi as 2nd monitor) but with sound from tv, and change those and all other soundsources on the laptop independentlly from the other device's output. With a third player (Media Monkey) on "default", i can also play with that, cause it sends sound to my tv if it is activated as 2nd monitor, laptop if 2nd monitor is turned off. (This needs to be the Windows resolution screen, not the OFF button on the tv.)

    However since this works running different applications and different files, i guess this would not work running 1 file (your final result) in media player. Maybe if you manage to run multiple instances, maybe if you have a player that supports multiple outputs. It should then still be applicable.

    But seriousy, your description about your setup... if you are working with musicians and vocalists, you should really think about an upgrade (a real audiocard would be minimum, that has several physical outputs), cause i think you'll find it really annoying and frustrating  putting up with the limitations we encounter here. Maybe there are modules you can connect your hdmi or whatever to and do it all from there?

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-05-06T14:59:00+00:00

    There is a solution... but note it involves buying hardware.

    Asus internal sound cards allow simultaneous SPDIF and analog outputs.

    or,

    Most external USB sound cards also allow simultaneous SPDIF and analog outputs.

    It costs at least $50 for either of these solutions, but they do have other benefits too.  A good dedicated sound card will perform better than the built-in one on the motherboard (especially for the analog outputs), and the USB ones can sit on the desk and give you easy access to a volume dial and all the inputs and outputs.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-04-09T01:27:18+00:00

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