[speakers and headphones] how to get my computer to automatically use each.

[Rudd]

I have my speakers plugged in to teh back with the plug, headphones through the front through the other plug.

Computer understands which is headphones and which is speakers, it treats them like seperate hardware

But it sets only one as default, and all programs use it.

Which is ok, when I want to play games/use mumble or whatever.

BUT! when I wanna watcha DVD or whatever it still uses headphones since its the default.

What I want is for my computer to automatically know that I want itunes/whatever etc should use my speakers and everything else use headphones.

Does anyone know of an application that would allow me to do this? I.e. set each program's preference of which sound output to use so that I can just turn on itunes and play music after I've alt tabbed from a game which is using headphones or something?

Cheers for the help.

[Robbi]

Im not sure with itunes, but with most things you can set the output device as whatever you want. Winamp works with your ipod now, so you can swap and change music and also set the primary driver as something else, also you can do that in WMP too iirc.

Ill have a scout around for you Rudd, see if I cant find a program for you, but my first response would be probably not

[Rudd]

Yeah, I've checked int he programs I use for an option to choose the output hardware but no luck

[Tartantyco]

-I don't quite understand the problem here; do you want it to switch output device based on what you're using or do you just want sound to come through the speakers and the headset?

[Rudd]

yeah, my scribbings are hard to decipher,


Basically, I want to be able to associate certain programs with my non-default sound device rather than having to set that non-default sound device to default in order to use it with that program.

[Tartantyco]

-But, can't you just have the output go through both speakers and headset? I've got two speaker sets and the headset plugged into my PC, if I'm watching a movie I use the ones around the TV, if I'm on the PC I use the PC speakers, and when in need of a mic I use the headset.

[Robbi]

but what he wants is that but he is not achieving it yet.


Which programs have you tried to do that with Rudd?

[Tartantyco]

but what he wants is that but he is not achieving it yet.

-I'm really lost here. The only thing you have to do is plug your headset and speakers into the output plugs, you don't need any software to do it...

[Rudd]

With Vista it treats the plugged in stuff as new hardware, so it can't work that way. At least I think its vista.

Like, if I was playing PR and I removed my headphones from teh jack, then plugged it back it I wouldn't hear anything cuz my computer is like "this is new hardware yea? well PR was using the default device from before, so you aren't gonna use it hahahahhaha"

I've tried itunes and VLC player since those are the ones I'm particularly interested in having run through my speakers while I use my headphones for other stuff.

[Tartantyco]

With Vista it treats the plugged in stuff as new hardware, so it can't work that way. At least I think its vista.

Like, if I was playing PR and I removed my headphones from teh jack, then plugged it back it I wouldn't hear anything cuz my computer is like "this is new hardware yea? well PR was using the default device from before, so you aren't gonna use it hahahahhaha"

-I have Vista and I don't have this problem. And why are you removing the jack? Just leave it in, it's not as if the sound from the headset is somehow going to be audible over the speakers.

[Rudd]

must just be me then, I wouldn't remove the jack, just demonstrating how my computer is treating sound and how it doesn't have a flexible way of switching between speakers and headphones....

[Robbi]

Tart mate, its more the codec and chip that your PC is running rather than the OS architecture mate.

Rudd, you can change it in VLC, but you may also find what you need in a newer piece of software for you onboard sound, what codec is it on your board?

[Rudd]

Realtek ALC1200, 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Support Jack-Detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-Retasking
- Coaxial S/PDIF_OUT ports at back I/O
- ASUS Noise-Filtering
- DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

[Robbi]

hmmmm, you can usually split it on the Realtek control panel mate, have you tried that?

[Rudd]

what is this witchcraft you speak of?

[Robbi]

When you installed your drivers for the onboard it should of installed a piece of software that comes up if you plug ina new devicE?

[Mj Pain]

I dont get it.
Is your problem that you have to take out your headset when you want to listen to your speakers?
If that is your problem just set your headset as "frontspeakers" in the Realtek Soundmanager.
(as if your using two pairs of frontspeakers)

[Rudd]

When you installed your drivers for the onboard it should of installed a piece of software that comes up if you plug ina new devicE?

strange, I shall look in to this

[dominator200]

u can generally go in to the program u r running and go into options and sound setting s and in there it should have device play back and u should have all the devices in there and select the device u want

[Robbi]

dominator mate, before you start offering advice mate, can you please read through the whole posts please, that has already been covered

Cheers mate.