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Multiple default audio outputs with Windows 8.1

Anonymous
2014-10-14T11:18:35+00:00

Hi,

I've just started using 8.1 on my desktop PC. My monitor has built-in speakers, connected with HDMI, and I also have a digital optical cable running to my hifi system. I would like to set windows so the sound plays through both sound systems. Currently if the digital optical is default, the monitor speakers are not used and vice-versa. Is there a way I can set both as default, so when it is inappropriately late to turn on the hifi I can still have sound from the monitor speakers without having to manually change the default audio?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2014-10-15T08:19:24+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
    2014-10-21T12:26:05+00:00

    Thanks for the reply! This does work for media player software and part solves my issue. I wasn't planning on using media player as my main audio / visual software but this solution means that should probably  be my first choice for now. Appreciate the help ☺

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