Simultaneous multiple audio playback devices

Windows has a way of offering possibilities that seem really exciting at first, and then making it impossible to take advantage of them.

I am running Win 7 with on-board Nvidia graphics with HDMI. I also have an extra Nvidia card installed with DVI out. I need VGA for my KVM switch and normal browsing, but would like to also take advantage of HDMI for streaming, especially as I am using a large TV as a monitor which can handle both.

I have found that I can get VGA and HDMI to work together by using a VGA adapter on the DVI connector with separate stereo audio output. HDMI audio works through the HDMI output. If I connect both to the TV I can switch between them using the TV input selector.

By also using the Windows desktop extender, it is possible to have multiple monitors on a single display. The idea is that in VGA mode I see the usual apps and utilities on the main desktop area, but if I switch the TV to HDMI, I see my streaming url shortcuts on the extended desktop and can operate them from there. This way I have the practical advantages of VGA where I need them, and the added quality of HDMI when I just want to watch a film.

It all works as I hoped, except for audio playback. True to form, Windows will only let me have one playback device at a time. I can switch back and forth but it just adds another layer to an already complex procedure.

So why does Windows allow for simultaneous multiple monitors, even when they are as different as VGA and HDMI, but can only cope with a single audio device? Is there any way to get around this? Ideally I would like to have speakers as the default playback device when using the VGA monitor, and HDMI when using HDMI. Why can’t they just both be on all the time since they are feeding different output devices? Am I missing something or is this just another typical Windows stupidity?

 

Isn't the Audio/Sound controlled through the m/b? Or have you got Sound card installed?
As I understand it - you can only set 1 (one) Audio device/type to play at any one time. Neil.

 

Hi Neil,

That is my question/complaint. If the hardware is capable of supporting the different audio formats, why can't Windows do the same? Is there a valid reason why the user is forced to choose between one or the other or is this just another pointless Windows restriction that can be hacked? I don't know if the hardware is in fact capable of simultaneous formats but I don't see an immediate reason why this should not be possible. There is no obvious conflict. Windows will allow me to have HDMI video on one monitor at the same time as VGA video on another, so why not stereo audio through speakers at the same time as digital audio through HDMI?

 

No. I have an HDMI TV with VGA input that I use as a monitor. I also have another computer through a KVM switch. Because of this I need VGA for browsing but I like to use HDMI for streaming videos so I have both outputting to the TV and am using the extended desktop to view them. However, at present I have to not only switch the input with the TV remote, but also the audio playback in Windows. Otherwise I have picture but no sound. This seems to me like yet another needless Windows limitation. I don't see why it cannot support two audio outputs at the same time, just like it does with video. Why can't I have both on simultaneously and control them from the output side? I don't see a conflict here between HDMI audio and stereo out. So is there any way to hack this?