can i use onboard sound and a sound card simultaneously? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

LeChuck · 09-12-2008, 11:29 PM

I just set up my new home theater and this time decided to connect my PC to my Onkyo 605. My question is this: I have a Creative X-FI sound card that I have been using to connect my PC to my PC speakers. I was planning on using the oboard Realtek sound output to connect to the receiver. I tried to connect it, but nothing happened. I switched out my X-FI connections and it worked. So either I have somehow disabled the realtek (I used it initally but switched and do not remember uninstalling driver) or there is no way to simultaneously use both sound outputs. Or is there?
Also, I am using COAX to connect my PC to the speakers. Is there a noticeable decrease in quality if I were to use the analog connections? Another solution is to have the COAX go the Onkyo and the analog go the PC speakers.
Thanks for the help!

***chlngr1970*** · 09-15-2008, 08:58 PM

IIRC, the Soundblaster disables on board sound when you install it. I don't know of any way arround it, tho

Any one else know?

j

LeChuck · 09-15-2008, 09:14 PM

Thanks. For now I tried the analog connection from the sound card to the speakers and I can't tell any difference when listening to music, which is most of what the speakers are used for. Oh well.

firestorm · 09-15-2008, 09:25 PM

You very likely could have two cards installed simultaneously, but I highly doubt there is a way to use them simultaneously. Under "Sound" in the Control Panel, you can select which sound device to use for output, but it's an either/or deal. You *might* have better luck with using analog out for the PC speakers and digital out for the receiver. Not sure though.

09-12-2008, 11:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
LeChuck "Woman Hands" man Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cambridge, MA	can i use onboard sound and a sound card simultaneously? I just set up my new home theater and this time decided to connect my PC to my Onkyo 605. My question is this: I have a Creative X-FI sound card that I have been using to connect my PC to my PC speakers. I was planning on using the oboard Realtek sound output to connect to the receiver. I tried to connect it, but nothing happened. I switched out my X-FI connections and it worked. So either I have somehow disabled the realtek (I used it initally but switched and do not remember uninstalling driver) or there is no way to simultaneously use both sound outputs. Or is there? Also, I am using COAX to connect my PC to the speakers. Is there a noticeable decrease in quality if I were to use the analog connections? Another solution is to have the COAX go the Onkyo and the analog go the PC speakers. Thanks for the help!

09-15-2008, 08:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	IIRC, the Soundblaster disables on board sound when you install it. I don't know of any way arround it, tho Any one else know? j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

09-15-2008, 09:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
firestorm Actor Join Date: Sep 2005	You very likely could have two cards installed simultaneously, but I highly doubt there is a way to use them simultaneously. Under "Sound" in the Control Panel, you can select which sound device to use for output, but it's an either/or deal. You might have better luck with using analog out for the PC speakers and digital out for the receiver. Not sure though. __________________ My Movies: http://movies.tjapkes.com

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09-15-2008, 09:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
LeChuck "Woman Hands" man Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cambridge, MA	Thanks. For now I tried the analog connection from the sound card to the speakers and I can't tell any difference when listening to music, which is most of what the speakers are used for. Oh well.