LinuxMCE Forums

General => Users => Topic started by: Tumbledown on January 04, 2010, 01:12:07 pm

Title: Audio Configuration
Post by: Tumbledown on January 04, 2010, 01:12:07 pm

This is most likely a dumb questions (odds are staked against me  ;D )

I'm looking to setup a MD in my living room that will have a dual purpose.

Purpose 1 - Play movies/Share media on my HD TV
Purpose 2 - Play movies via a projector and 5.1 amp (Optical)

Is there a way to configure the audio output to come via the HDMI and optical ports together,
or an easy way to switch between outputs?

I know the AV setup can be run, but it would be a bit of a pain in the rump to do each time I want to switch.

I'm not sure of the technical implications of what I ask, so might not be possible, but surely there is a way to switch outputs,
very similar to the mixer tick in the output.

I'm most likely over simplifying things.

Any suggestions, or sources for reading would be appreciated.

TIA

Title: Re: Audio Configuration
Post by: jimbodude on January 04, 2010, 09:10:46 pm

Look into Audio / Video Pipes.  I don't believe you can connect a device with a single output (such as an MD) to the inputs of multiple other devices.  You best bet would be to connect an MD to each setup - this comes with the added benefit of being able to use both parallel A/V systems simultaneously if the need arises.

Title: Re: Audio Configuration
Post by: Dale_K on January 04, 2010, 09:15:25 pm

Is there some reason you don't have your TV connected to your AMP so that the A/V from the MD goes to the AMP then from the AMP to your TV and/or Projector?

Title: Re: Audio Configuration
Post by: Tumbledown on January 04, 2010, 10:02:11 pm

Hi Guy's
thanks for the replies.

so to clarify, I'm looking to get a zotec ion board.
As you mostlikley already know it has a HDMI and Optical outputs.

The MD will be used for general content that will be played on the TV via the HDMI.
e.g. heros or a movie that doesn't warrent the "Big Screen Experience".
But it will also be used for movie nights (e.g. Lord of the Rings/Star Wars etc) that
will then have the audio piped into the DSP 5.1 via optical (No HDMI on the amp) and
the video to a projector.

Just re-reading this and I've now realised that the video will also need to be switched to VGA for the projector.
I can't see any other way around but to re-run the AV wizard when I want to switch which will then
rebuild the screens in the respective res (on 8.10 bata2 takes long time)
Not as neat and simple as I had hoped for.

Back to the drawing board me thinks.