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No sound... Windows 7

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Alex B:
If you have only one sound device and you want to output sound from other programs (and/or OS) simultaneously with MC, you should use the DirectSound output mode. Then the Windows mixer takes care of mixing and converting (if needed) the various audio sources into a single output signal.

The WASAPI Exclusive, Kernel Streaming and ASIO output modes are exclusive and no other program can access the sound device when MC bypasses the Windows mixer and has a more direct connection to the device. This also explains why the Windows Application Volume adjustment does not work with these output modes. The Application Volume feature is an integral part of the Windows mixer. MC actually adjusts the Application Volume slider in the Windows Mixer control panel when possible (i.e. when the Direct Sound or Wave Out mode is selected).

WASAPI "non-eclusive" allows to add the outputted signal to the standard windows mixer output (if other applications or the OS are playing audio), but it still bypasses any processing that Windows mixer would normally do. I.e. if the audio output format in Windows Control panel is set to e.g. 48 kHz/16-bit/2-ch stereo, you must set MC to output in the same format.

A common solution is to use two audio devices -- a high quality sound card for music/video audio playback and another device (e.g. on-board) with cheap computer speakers for the system sounds, Skype, web browser, etc.

Alex B:

--- Quote from: maxxsid on September 19, 2012, 04:07:05 am ---I also should mention, that if some other audio application is started before MC, MC doesn't produce any sound (in my setup, at least)
--- End quote ---

The exclusive modes need to have an exclusive access. If something is already playing audio MC cannot hijack the device.

Mr ChriZ:

--- Quote from: Alex B on September 19, 2012, 05:06:19 am ---WASAPI "non-eclusive" allows to add the outputted signal to the standard windows mixer output (if other applications or the OS are playing audio), but it still bypasses any processing that Windows mixer would normally do. I.e. if the audio output format in Windows Control panel is set to e.g. 48 kHz/16-bit/2-ch stereo, you must set MC to output in the same format.


--- End quote ---

That's interesting thanks Alex.  Are you referring to this setting in the image attached?
If so is there any guidance on changing that setting?
Any reason not to set it to the highest quality possible?

I find DirectSound I get very audible distortions with Media Center in current releases using the built in Dell HD soundcard I have.(and I'm by no means an Audiophile).  I don't get this with WSAPI.

However with WSAPI I always seem to find something that doesn't want to play - that setting could be the key I'm missing.

maxxsid:

Alex,
I understand now.
DirectSound works.
 - thanks!


--- Quote from: Alex B on September 19, 2012, 05:06:19 am ---If you have only one sound device and you want to output sound from other programs (and/or OS) simultaneously with MC, you should use the DirectSound output mode. Then the Windows mixer takes care of mixing and converting (if needed) the various audio sources into a single output signal.

<snip>

--- End quote ---

audunth:
I have MC set to output 192 kHz no matter what the source sample frequency is, bitdepth is set to 32, output mode is WASAPI - Event style. The Windows 7 sound properties is set as the image above. Everything, both music and video sound play perfectly, and the Windows sounds also play.

I have another zone set for watching movies with Exclusive access ticked so that Windows sounds won't disturb the movie sound.

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