The Control Panel in Windows XP enables the user to assign the name Default DirectSound Device to a particular audio output device. In Windows Vista, the Control Panel lets the user assign each of three names (eConsole, eMultimedia, and eCommunications) to an audio output device. These names can all be assigned to different devices, or multiple names can be assigned to the same device. The following table shows how Windows Media Player and the Windows Media Player ActiveX control choose default audio output devices.
Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows Media Player
By default, the Player uses the audio device designated as Default DirectSound Device. The Player provides a dialog box that lets the user switch the Player to a different audio device.
By default, the Player uses the audio device designated as eMultimedia. The Player provides a dialog box that lets the user switch the Player to a different audio device.
Windows Media Player ActiveX control
By default, the Player control uses the audio device designated as Default DirectSound Device. The audio output device cannot be changed programmatically.
By default, the Player control uses the audio device designated as eMultimedia. The audio output device cannot be changed programmatically.