View Full Version : [LINUX/MAC/WINDOWS] Option to set different audio output device for music and videos?
I use Windows7 and XBMC 9.04.1.
For music playback I want to use digital output (USB) to my external DAC and for movie playback I want to use digital output (coax) to my receiver.
My problem is when I change output device for Music it also change output device for Movie and vice versa. Is it not possible to set this up as I want?
I want to do exactly the same and can't find how to get it done either!
If it can't be done, can it be implemented?
I have a similar issue, but in my case I would like to be able to switch between outputs easily. There are 2 zones in my setup and for one I need the digital output, pass-through and no downmix, for the other I need analog, decode and downmix.
So that means I would have to press at least 12 buttons, before I can change over to the other zone.
So maybe it would be possible somehow to have 2 different audio profiles and switch between them with just one button? That would be the perfect solution for me and it might be a convenient workaround for you guys.
Does anybody know if this would be remotely possible at all?
Cheers
I'd be surprised if it was a tough modification (but I'm no coder, I've been surprised before, to be honest ;)).
Maybe it's something that could be kept in advancedsettings.xml and not GUI based...
meschaefer
2009-07-06, 04:07
I am building an HTPC to run XBMC and will need to run both Digital and Analog Audio out. The Digital is for movies only, while the Analog will be only for music. This is because my Zone 2 on my receiver can only handle Analog and I only use it for music.
My original idea was to use the digital output on my MOBO (I am leaning towards the GIGABYTE 20GA-E7AUM-DS2H") and picking up a soundcard that would be dedicated just for music (M-AUDIO Audiophile 2496)
I have been test running XBMC on my desk top (Windows) to gain familiarity with it, and it doesn't seem like I can choose videos and music to use to different output devices.
Any help would be appreciated?
AFAIK that's not possible in xbmc - at least not yet. Any devs having a better anwer?
EDIT: There may be a way to output to analog and digital or even to two soundcards at the same time with some ALSA magic (.asoundrc). Have a google about this.
meschaefer
2009-07-06, 15:58
Thanks, I had come across ALSA when I first started to run into issue. I have started to research it more (at your suggetion) and at first blush think this might be the answer. I will report back if I find the answer for anyone who pulls this thread up in a future search.
If any one else has any ideas, or help using ALSA I would appreciate it.
I have two sound outputs running with alsa under normal ubuntu (via .asoundrc and a pcm.multi-definition there). But not under xbmc, i.e. only one of the outputs works but I can switch between both.
meschaefer
2009-07-06, 22:25
Forgive me if I get my terminology wrong, but I am a total noob when it comes to linux.
I have been doing more research and it seems that I should be able to tell ALSA to send all audio to an audio server such as Jack (http://http://alsa.opensrc.org/index.php/JACK) and configure jack to send the Audio to the two sound cards.
This is an idea/work in progress, so any input or familiarty with using an audio server plugin with XBMC wouldbe appreciated.
bobo1on1
2009-07-06, 22:53
You could use ecasound to record from one card and send that to another, but that's not going to work with passthrough.
There's also a small speed difference between the two cards, so you'll either get some clicks in the audio or you'll get a delay which slowly increases.
In the end these twp webpages helped me to get it running under ubuntu (not xbmc as mentioned). See especially the part about
EDIT (Roland): The following additions to .asoundrc work for me to have both digital and analog output work simultaniously
on the first one
http://www.knoppmythwiki.org/index.php?page=DigitalAudioHowTo
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Configuring_Digital_Sound#Setting_up_ALSA.27s_.aso undrc.2C_Properly
meschaefer
2009-07-06, 23:18
You could use ecasound to record from one card and send that to another, but that's not going to work with passthrough.
There's also a small speed difference between the two cards, so you'll either get some clicks in the audio or you'll get a delay which slowly increases.
A delay is acceptable, as long as I can limit it to the analog card. I guess I would set the MOBO as the default audio card, and then have ecasound record that and then play it through the M-Audio card. That still creates a problem with pass through.
Seems like a an akward workaround.
I can't figure out why this is so hard, I just need sound to be handled indpendently by the two devices. I know I am not the first person to look into this, and it seems my situation shold be easier than others, as I don't need them to by synced or have any interaction with each other.
I'm also looking for this option or an option to play both at the same time so I can switch on my audio receiver
I have a coax connection for audio (analog) and an optical for movies (dts, DD)
mikkelfunck
2009-08-04, 01:56
I second the feature request of separate sound setups for music and video in xbmc.
in my case it is hdmi for video and spdif for music.
EDIT:
I will test if profile switching can give me a quick separation of audio setups via the context menu
http://www.xbmc.org/wiki/?title=Profiles#Switching_Profiles