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
    2015-12-14T03:35:19+00:00

    That is not what this issue is about. It is about playing one audio stream on 2 audio outputs simultaneously.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-12-13T22:50:49+00:00

    It would appear that Windows 7 does indeed support multiple audio outputs as I am running Windows 7 on an Inspiron 531 PC with a Realtek HD audio card and am currently listening to music via the front headphone jack and Windows Media Player,  while simultaneously listening the the Packers/Dallas football game on my PC speakers via the rear speaker jack and the line in jack from my TV.  Steps as follows:

    Open the Realtek Audio Manager

    Click Device Advanced Settings (upper right)

    Check the option ‘Make front and rear output devices playback two different audio streams simultaniously’, then OK

    Set the optional Sound Effects for both Speakers & HD Audio 2^nd^ Output

    From Windows 7 Control Panel, open Sound

    You will have two playback devices shown, Speakers & HD Audio 2^nd^ Output

    Click the Recording tab and double-click the ‘Line In’ recording device

    Click the Listen tab

    Make sure Listen to This Device is checked and  set Playback Through This Device to ‘Speakers’

    This will output Line In to the Speakers while the PC default output will be to the front headphones

    Now when you open the Volume control in the Task Bar you will have two volume controls, speakers and headphones.  If you click on Mixer at the bottom of each you will see that the Speakers are connected to Line In, and the Realtek HD Audio 2nd Output in connected to System Sounds (the default) & will also show a connection to Windows Media Player if you are playing tunes through the headphones.

    To switch the outputs:

    From Windows 7 Control Panel, open Sound

    Click the Playback tab and select Speakers & click Set Default below

    Click the Recording tab and double click Line In

    Click the Listen tab and under Playback Through This Device select HD Audio 2^nd^ Output

    Then click Apply

    To reverse:

    From Windows 7 Control Panel, open Sound

    Click the Playback tab and select HD Audio 2^nd^ Output & click Set Default below

    Click the Recording tab and double click Line In

    Click the Listen tab and under Playback Through This Device select Speakers

    Then click Apply

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-12-12T06:21:57+00:00

    Multiple audio output is not supported by windows 7. It is by design.

    By design is not an answer where design does not meet requirements.

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