It's a pity that our Russian friends don't yet cater for Dolby 5.1 via Virtual Audio Cable. Please notify us all if you find an application which does clone 5.1 output streams for simultaneous use by different devices.
I liked the idea (elsewhere in this thread) of simultaneously using two different applications - each with its own output device assigned - to play the same material "in concert" so to speak. Unfortunately for me this is not a general solution, because it cannot be applied (I think) to streaming audio/video where only one current instance of the player is permitted by license laws. I want to send S/PDIF from my Realtek M/Bcard to my 7.1 amplifier, for the benefit of family, and also out to a second (USB) sound device for my 7.1 earphones, because I'm somewhat deaf but I do like to hear about what's happening on the screen.
So I think that I still have the same core problem: how to split or clone a 5.1 audio output stream before it gets to the default (or primary) device, so that another device can also "listen & play"? Any further ideas? Could one perhaps set the WinXP "Record Device Mixer" to enable [Stereo Mix], then capture that with a 2nd app. which does real-time play through - while either recording or just monitoring - to a second audio device? Perhaps the Win [Stereo Mix] will automatically downrate the stream from 5.1 to stereo, I suppose I could live with stereo on one device although I don't really want to?  At present, streaming video is not in 5.1, but that will come, and I'm looking for a general solution to apply to all my music and movie sources.
All comments most welcome!
--G

Everyone, dynamic switching is being added to Windows 7 (yay!), but vote here for what we all want: simultaneous output to more than one device:
http://www.windows7taskforce.com/view/76

What about splitting the HDMI output and then running one of the hdmi splits to a device like this http://www.firefold.com/Atlona-HDMIDVI-Scaler-with-AnalogDigital-Audio-P2906C140.aspx and then downsampling it to analog ? Seems like this would work to get both analog and digital streams simultaneously to my receiver (digital) and home distribution system (analog)

thanks.

Virtual Audio Cable appears to support multichannel audio now, including the repeater program.  I'm trying to test it.

Here's my application:  Using VMC, I want to send 5.1 audio to the HDMI output, which is connected to my Onkyo receiver.  The Onkyo will play audio from the HDMI port, but it will not send that audio OUT to the VCR out jacks unless the input is coming in via analog left and right.  It will, however forward analog audio coming in from the same device that's connected HDMI port if it receives them on the analog ports.  I use the VCR out to feed a box that sends audio and video to a second TV in a bedroom, so I need to clone all HDMI audio coming in to the receiver on the analog ports so that it sends a copy of the audio to the VCR.

so, what I need to do is have all audio normally going to the HDMI port (full surround), and a 2 channel downgraded mix going to the analog jacks on the motherboard.  The HDMI "card" is an NVIDIA nforce chipset, and the analog "card" is a realtek HD audio chipset, also on the MB.  It looks like Virtual Audio Cable can handle this mix, once I iron out all the testing.  This might solve my problem of Multiple simultaneous audio sound card in vista media center.  That last sentence is just there for google to catch if people are searching for this (like I did hehehe)

Anyway, I thank this entire threat for finding my answer.

I'm going to try using an SPDIF splitter WITH this device on the one I want to be stereo (analogue), leaving the other as 5.1:


http://www.gefen.com/pdf/GTV-DD-2-AA.pdf


Reckon this solves it?

For Realtek onboard device users (sorry everyone else):

Simultaneous SPIDF/Analog works just dandy and with no additional config in Vista 64 (also worked on Vista 32) as long as you DO NOT USE THE MICROSOFT SUPPLIED DRIVER! In my case I have an A8N Deluxe so I get the Realtek driver from Asus.

Further, I also have a Y-splitter on the SPIDF cable going to 2 separate tuners so I can also say that works. In total my PC drives 20 speakers throughout my house (analog 5.1 speaker set, digital 5.1 tuner and 4 stereo pairs on a 7.1 tuner).

If I don't watch my MS updates carefully and let their Realtek driver slip through however it all comes crashing down and I have to roll back the driver to get it working again.

Trimble Epic: Did Virtual Audio Cable help at all?

************
Solution found!
************

Download this:
http://neosmart.net/downloads/guides/Vista_Sound/rtkhdaud.zip

unzip the *.dat file, and place it into c:\windows\system32\drivers
The file will not overwrite any excisting files (well, it didnt on my system).

Reboot windows, and it works instantly. No need to change any settings.

I am currently using standard realtek drivers, and my chipset is the ALC 888.

Kind Regards

Gary <ricopicouk>

ricopico:

************
Solution found!
************

Download this:
http://neosmart.net/downloads/guides/Vista_Sound/rtkhdaud.zip

unzip the *.dat file, and place it into c:\windows\system32\drivers
The file will not overwrite any excisting files (well, it didnt on my system).

Reboot windows, and it works instantly. No need to change any settings.

I am currently using standard realtek drivers, and my chipset is the ALC 888.

Kind Regards

Gary <ricopicouk>

NOTE:  This solution has been in place for quite some time, from way back on this thread.  HOWEVER, this only works on 2-channel stereo content.  On a multi channel source content, you will get the stereo downmix on the analog output, and nothing on the digital output.  But it works beautifully for music (which is the only time I want multiroom anyway) and seems to output to all digital devices at the same time (HDMI and SPDIF in my case).

I have the hdmi cable from my MCE connected to my Sony AV receiver (for video and would like audio 5.1).  I also have coaxial going to my external DAC which is connected to my stereo amp.  I predominately use the MCE for music but would like to watch shows and films in 5.1.  I cannot work out how to get audio of any kind (apart from distortion), let alone 5.1 through hdmi and my AV receiver.  Any ideas?

Whew...now thats a thread!! So I just ran into this problem after trying to get my Harman Kardon receiver to play MCE 2005 content through it's zone 2 and was told it has to be an analog source. So my setup has a MCE 2005 box and a Montego DDL sound card. From what I understand from all thses posts is that MCE 2005 will send both an analog signal and digital signal out? So if I have an optical out from the Montego and its configured to send out DD then can I plug a 3.5mm to RCA stereo cable in my onboard audio and expect it to work? Do I need to configure anything or install plugins etc?? I just bought a cable for the analog on my trip to Staples and I'm going to give it a shot sometime this weekend. Thanks in advance for any input!!!

To benflux2, re use of Gefen's GTV-DD-2-AA:

yup, that should do it.  I can't find 100% confirmation that it actually downmixes, but I assume it does.

For reference for others:
Downmix = mix left, right, and center channels (at a minimum) into L/R analog
Straight decode = send DD5.1 Left channel to analog left, send DD 5.1 Right channel to analog right (then you lose the center channel, which has all of the dialog in movies)

 I haven't had a chance to load WIndows 7 on any of my machines and test this. Does Windows 7 support simultaneous SPDIF and Analog output?

Has anyone gotten this to work in Windows 7 yet?  I downloaded the newest realtek driver that says 7.1 + 2ch, but it still won't let me have both toslink and analog at the same time.  I looked at the gefen adapter, but I read it only works if the digital source is 2 channel audio.

No progess with Win 7.  I can confirm the realtek hack works for Win 7 x64 for simultaneous in stereo. (no DD or DTS)

On the gefen product, also noticed there was nothing about DTS

Lastly, a caution to pass along with the Raedon 4350 as a potential solution.  I thought the audio over HDMI might be an avenue toward resolution, but it is completely useless.  The audio is implemented by installing another audio device.  The last thing you want is yet another audio device you can only use one at a time.  You don't even get the simultaneous sound in this scenario.  Has anyone mentioned how screwed over we got lately?