Windows 7 and Vista Audio Changer

Thu, Oct 8, 2009

I have recently updated my main HTPC to the RC of Windows 7 and unlike Windows XP, it is not currently possible to set the default sound output device for the entire system through software.

With my previous HTPC build, My Auzentech DTS X-Plosion card would encode DTS on the fly for stereo sources and was able to passthrough native DTS and Dolby encoded material when required, regardless of what Media player or frontend I was using. It was also possible to output analogue and digital sound simultaneously, A major requirement due to having 2 zones set on my AVR. (analogue audio outside, surround inside the house)

Since upgrading to Windows 7 though this fundamental feature has been altered, and now Windows 7 audio has no sort of intelligent routing based on playback media or application, Why? The need to select speakers to enable DTS encoding and Digital to allow passthrough is just ridiculous for a HTPC environment.

What are the solutions?

Unfortunately, most applications do not have the option to select an output device built-in. Vista Audio Changer steps in and changes the default output device to replace this missing functionality.