Audio to different outputs

  • Thread starter DG_Silva
  • 10 comments
  • 975 views
4,116
England
Derbyshire, UK
DG Silva
I was wondering if anyone could answer a little conumdrum for me please? I have recently upgraded my PC, and I thought of building my own Media Centre with the old components. I want to be able to output the sound to my TV, which would in turn go out to a hi-fi components system for when I want to watch films or TV shows, and then be able to stream music from the MC to another device, ie the stereo or a tablet using CrazyRemote. Does anyone know of any software that you can choose specific outputs for, rather than having to change the default, or a way of doing this easily (like a macro recorder).
 
You mention a Hi-Fi components system. Typically you would want to run all your signals into your "receiver" or Hi-Fi components system and then distribute accordingly. This will allow your system to route audio/video where it needs to go. The question was a little ambiguous, and not knowing what your actual components are, it will be hard to accurately determine what you can and can't due.
 
Ok, basically it would go something like this:

‬‬‬‬            /--- TV (films and TV)
MCPC----- Music (direct to stereo)
            \--- Wireless streaming (tablet)

However, thinking about what you've said, and doing a bit more reading on CrazyRemote (some I should have done in the first place), it appears that CR can output the audio to the tablet without having to change any settings. So, if I connect the PC to the stereo for music and films, and then use CR to output to phone or tablet, this should work.

Sorry, I was really struggling with brain fade all day long yesterday...
 
Right, now I've had a think, I'm going to re-word the question.

If I wanted to play music on my tablet from my MC PC, while at the same watching a film on the TV, they would both play through the same source (ie, the default). Does anyone know of anyway of forcing software to play through an alternative output, ie a music player plays through the sound card, and a movie program plays out through a second sound card or HDMI cable?
 
Right, now I've had a think, I'm going to re-word the question.

If I wanted to play music on my tablet from my MC PC, while at the same watching a film on the TV, they would both play through the same source (ie, the default). Does anyone know of anyway of forcing software to play through an alternative output, ie a music player plays through the sound card, and a movie program plays out through a second sound card or HDMI cable?

Windows does that. You can choose which soundcard each program uses. If you use iTunes just make it use the 2nd soundcard and your movie program use the first soundcard.
 
Here's how to set Windows Media Player to a different output source:

  1. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Media Player.
  2. If the Player is currently open and you’re in Now Playing mode, click the Switch to Library button Picture of the Switch to Library button in the upper-right corner of the Player.
  3. In the Player Library, click Organize, and then click Options.
  4. Click the Devices tab, click Speakers (or desired output device), and then click Properties.
  5. Select the options you want, and then click OK.

In Winamp, you should be able to go to: Preferences > Plugins > Output > Double click "DirectSound Output..." > Device tab.

In iTunes, it doesn't not appear to be an option other than the system default audio device.

I hope you find this helpful.
 
I'm sorry that I'm double posting, but it's the only way can bump this thread. Does anyone know of a video playing program that allows you to choose the audio output? I've tried Nero and VLC, and neither seem to be able to do so.
 
Back