Split audio on PC

[Pho3nix]

Hi all,

Coming from the headsets thread, I'm looking for some advice before I get a set.
Currently my audio is coming through my screen from the HD cable and all that jazz.

If I get a sound card will I be able to split the audio so the speakers still work through the screen and just the headsets work through the sound card?
Not looking to buy a new speaker set just so I can listen to quality sound.
Using Windows 8 btw.

 

[HAL 9000]

If your video & audio feed is being sent to your screen via an HDMI cable - then all you need to do is plug your headphones into the green audio out 3.5mm mini-jack socket of your PC to enable you to get the audio feed to your headphones.

 

[Pada]

Some applications (like Winamp) would allow you to specify the output device. Others would make use of the default audio output device, so if you want to switch you'll have to then change the default audio output device in Windows.

If your computer already has 3.5mm audio outputs, then you don't need to go and buy a dedicated sound card, because it would be no different - except that it may be of better quality.

 

[Sydwayz]

I have a similar setup. PC to HDTV via HDMI. I wanted audio to play through the TV speakers and my Hifi at the same time. The PC is only able use one audio device at a time, either your video card via HDMI or sound card via 3.5mm audio jack. If you plug your headset to your TV, you will not get audio through your TV speakers.

The only work around I see is to use your sound card (or onboard sound) to send audio to your tv via 3.5 mm and also connect your headset to the same sound card as well.

 

[FlatspinZA]

I have a similar setup. PC to HDTV via HDMI. I wanted audio to play through the TV speakers and my Hifi at the same time. The PC is only able use one audio device at a time, either your video card via HDMI or sound card via 3.5mm audio jack. If you plug your headset to your TV, you will not get audio through your TV speakers.

The only work around I see is to use your sound card (or onboard sound) to send audio to your tv via 3.5 mm and also connect your headset to the same sound card as well.

That's not true. You can specify which device an application uses, just like I open two instances of VLC Media Player, put sound out to my speakers, and video to the TV so my GF can watch a movie while I listen to music on my headset.

You can have multiple sound cards, all doing different things, it's just a question of setting your outputs correctly from each application.

 

[Pho3nix]

That's not true. You can specify which device an application uses, just like I open two instances of VLC Media Player, put sound out to my speakers, and video to the TV so my GF can watch a movie while I listen to music on my headset.

You can have multiple sound cards, all doing different things, it's just a question of setting your outputs correctly from each application.

But is the same true when I use a HDMI gfx card to stream the sound?

 

[FlatspinZA]

But is the same true when I use a HDMI gfx card to stream the sound?

As far as I know, when you use your HDMI on your GFX, the processing gets done on your GFX (the newer nVidia models all have integrated audio). That should free your sound card up for other uses.

Just change the output in your application to the onboard/add-in soundcard and you should have separate streams.

If you're trying to listen to the same audio-stream as that playing on your TV, you'll have a problem there. You could plug your headset directly into your TV, but then your sound will go off on the TV.