Media Player

[Dominique]

So then, what's the output method ?

I found a few options listed here, and there's one I hadn't heard
of (kernel streaming).

http://www.mp3car.com/the-faq-emporium/88852-faq-what-is-bit-perfect- print.html

I'm surprised you can talk directly to an audio device, without
the Sound control panel output device selection getting in the way.
(Like, what would happen if KMixer also wanted to talk to that
device ?)

Winamp also supports some kind of network streaming option,
and I suppose that would avoid the sound subsystem entirely.

Paul

Most musicians softwares talk directly to sound devices. In my music
computer I have two of these :

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta1010.html

That gives me 20 audio inputs and 20 outputs (through one driver), my
softwares can access those directly and I wanted a Media player that
could do the same because WMP will only access the device choosen in the
control panel.

In the case of this thread, I choose the onboard sound chip in the
control panel for Windows, WMP, and all softwares that only access the
SoundMapper; and in WinAmp I choose the Audioengine AW1 transmitter as
the default sound device with the receiver and powered speakers located
in another room so someone could listen to something on the computer
while there is something else playing in the other room.

 

[Paul]

Most musicians softwares talk directly to sound devices. In my music
computer I have two of these :

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta1010.html

That gives me 20 audio inputs and 20 outputs (through one driver), my
softwares can access those directly and I wanted a Media player that
could do the same because WMP will only access the device choosen in the
control panel.

In the case of this thread, I choose the onboard sound chip in the
control panel for Windows, WMP, and all softwares that only access the
SoundMapper; and in WinAmp I choose the Audioengine AW1 transmitter as
the default sound device with the receiver and powered speakers located
in another room so someone could listen to something on the computer
while there is something else playing in the other room.

The reason I'm asking that question, is to better understand Windows
audio architecture.

I thought the idea was, that everything went through the system mapper
and mixer. It sounds like Winamp has a way around that.

In terms of the technical capabilities of the Audioengine AW1, it's
a driverless Plug and Play. One review article gave the impression
it is a USB audio device, but there is also an input jack on the
sender unit (for analog input). It wasn't clear to me, how it
selects between two potential input sources.

So Winamp then, is talking directly to a USB audio device. And
if that is possible, then it really isn't fair to class Windows
as only being able to drive one output at a time. That was
my belief in the past, as to what Windows offered.

Paul

 

[Dominique]

The reason I'm asking that question, is to better understand Windows
audio architecture.

I thought the idea was, that everything went through the system mapper
and mixer. It sounds like Winamp has a way around that.

In terms of the technical capabilities of the Audioengine AW1, it's
a driverless Plug and Play. One review article gave the impression
it is a USB audio device, but there is also an input jack on the
sender unit (for analog input). It wasn't clear to me, how it
selects between two potential input sources.

So Winamp then, is talking directly to a USB audio device. And
if that is possible, then it really isn't fair to class Windows
as only being able to drive one output at a time. That was
my belief in the past, as to what Windows offered.

Paul

The reason why there is an input on the transmitter is if you want to use
the transmitter/receiver without a computer (could be an iPod), then you
buy a second power supply with a USB connector (like an iPod charger) and
you only use the wireless capability. There is already one power supply
with this kit for the receiver.

 

[Nil]

I thought the idea was, that everything went through the system
mapper and mixer. It sounds like Winamp has a way around that.

At least since Windows 95, it's always been able to see and use
multiple sound devices. Windows itself can only use one at a time, but
recording and playback programs have long been able to use more than
one. I've done it for years with my audio recording programs.

 

[Dominique]

Perhaps an ASIO option appears, if an ASIO driver is installed ?

Paul

Usually, pro audio devices will support Windows one I/O at a time and the
ASIO support will come from the software used; Pro Multimedia Editors or
Virtual Musical Instruments.

I don't think Windows (WMP)uses ASIO at all because the drivers supplied by
high end audio devices manufacturers are also WDM compatible (usually).