How To Stream Different Audio To Different Sound Outputs?

leo45 · 10 Feb 2014

First time poster, so I'm not sure it's the right sub, but anyways:

My graphics card has two DVI outputs and I'm only using one for my single monitor. I also have a wall-mounted LCD TV with HDMI inputs in another room and I'd like to be able to stream movies and stuff from my computer to this TV.

So, is there a way to somehow channel only desired sound streams to this TV (i.e. if I'm playing a game on my main display and also a movie is being played on my extended display, how can I tell the computer to play game audio in my earphones and play movie audio through TV speakers)?

Thanks.

fireberd · 11 Feb 2014

If you do not have an HDMI output on the video card, you would have to send the audio separately to the TV. DVI does not contain audio. Even if you have a DVI to HDMI converter it still would not contain audio.

However, most TV's that have an HDMI input will not be able to be setup for audio from another source at the same time.

Best option is to change the Video card to one that has built in audio and an HDMI connection. That will solve the problem of getting HDMI video/audio to the remote TV. Keep in mind when you use the HDMI connection, you will not have the regular PC audio (Speakers). Windows only allows one default audio playback device, e.g. either "Speakers" or HDMI.

Barman58 · 11 Feb 2014

The routing of sound is as much dependent of the software that you use as the hardware. You obviously require suitable hardware, but the choice of software is also an important consideration.

I run a DVI link via a HDMI lead to my main monitor, (32" HDTV), and a full HDMI Lead to my secondary monitor (39" HDTV). I also made the assumption that DVI did not carry sound, but with just the DVI connection I get Stereo output from my main Monitor's built in speakers, so It may actually be that the DVI does not provide 5.1 sound, which is carried via HDMI.

I can run my Main monitor output as the default sound device, whilst at the same time I can set VLC to send its output direct to the Secondary monitor via HDMI in 5.1.

Certain apps allow this type of sound splitting/Routing whilst others only have the option to send sound to the default sound device

I also have a third sound output, The built in Realtek HD on the motherboard, I have a set of 2.1 speakers attached but find I use this more for headphone use, I am able to have VLC output to the Secondary Monitor for others to watch streamed content whilst I can listen to other output via headphones :)