Audio or Sound Card question on PC

[i4u]

Hello All,

I am building a HTPC. I need need some help or advice.

Does anyone know if it is possible to configure a HTPC so that Audio output with the video over HDMI and simultaneously from an Optical output as 5.1 audio?

Thanks.


Custom Computa

[d3fiant]

I tried this with my HTPC using XBMC. I have a GTX260 which has spdif in from my xfi soundcard into the gfx which sends the digital signal over HDMI to the TV, I also tried to use an optical cable from spdif out on the xfi to a DD/DTS amp and it seemed to work on one and not the other with no obvious pattern or changes made. However I have found XBMC for Windows to have significant problems and gave up so I probably didnt spend too much time trying to fix it

[i4u]

Thank you for your reply.

Has anyone tried it on Windows Vista Media Centre?

[CaptainCrash]

VMC will use whatever is set as the default playback device, of which "there can be only one."

So I'm afraid that would be a "no" ... you can use one or the other, not both simultaneously.

[i4u]

What does VMC stand for?

Secondly, can you not use two Sound Cards?

Isn't there a way with another media centre?

[CaptainCrash]

What does VMC stand for?

Secondly, can you not use two Sound Cards?

Isn't there a way with another media centre?

Vista Media Centre/center

You can of course have more than one sound device installed, and some apps will allow you to select whichever one you want to use regardless of the default setting, but only one at a time. I'd hesitate to say it's not possible, but I don't know of any apps (media centre or otherwise) which can output to two sound devices simultaneously.

[d3fiant]

VMC will use whatever is set as the default playback device, of which "there can be only one."

So I'm afraid that would be a "no" ... you can use one or the other, not both simultaneously.

my argument would be you are in fact using the same output as far as the OS is concerned, SPDIF out, as it does not distinguish between the SPDIF out on the back of the soundcard or the SPDIF out on the soundcard header pins. The technical question is does the soundcard output to both the back panel SPDIF out and the header SPDIF out at the same time, of that I am not so sure

[i4u]

Hi Guys,

Would a sound card that had both HDMI and 5.1 or 7.1 work?

Like the Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 Audio Card?

Please advise.

[Zak33]

interesting issue chap.

Where is this to be used? and what equipment is it to be connected too?

[i4u]

This is to be used in a HTPC. HDMI will connect to the TV and 5.1 will connect to the audio.