Outputting different audio to different sources

[angusmccloud]

Here's what I'm hoping to do, and don't know if it's possible...

I set up a GB-PVR machine for my dad a few weeks ago, and we ripped all his CDs onto it so he has access to all his music.

We have it in his "tv" room, and are using a digital coaxial cable to send the audio to the receiver in the room. We're also using a stereo y-adapter to send stereo sound to a different receiver that powers speakers in the rest of the house (where he plays music).

What we'd like to do is be able to watch tv (or recordings, or whatever) in the TV room, and listen to music in the rest of the house. He currently only has one sound card, but getting a second one isn't an issue...

Let me know if you have any suggestions...

Thanks,
-Connor

[sub]

Sorry, I dont think this is possible.

[nightwalker]

You could use a MVP as the source for music to the whole house amplifier. The only rub is you'd need a small cheap TV nearby to use as the user interface so you can see what audio you're playing. I use MVP's as two of the four sources in my audio system.

[angusmccloud]

He has a monitor down there as well, any way to get 2 instances of GBPVR running (one on the tv, one on the monitor), and have the sound outputting to different audio cards? Or just use iTunes or something on the monitor, outputting to a different audio card?

Could do the mvp method, but am trying to avoid ponying up another $100+...

Thanks,
-Connor

[bgowland]

Does iTunes have the capability to select different output devices?

If not, you might want to look at WinAmp which does have that capability to select which soundcard to use.

Not sure how you'd control it remotely though (i.e., when you're away from the PC in the TV room). If you're happy to just set it to play a playlist or in random mode then it might do what you want.

Cheers,
Brian

[angusmccloud]

Bgowland... interesting...
I just looked (quickly) at iTunes, it doesn't appear to let you select where you're outputting, so I'm assuming it will only go to your system default.
I'll have to get winamp and check it out again, as it's been years since I've used it. They got a PC to keep in the TV room, which is also where all the amps and such are stored, so down there it'd be easy to change. He's never had problems with it just playing on random forever, so I think that'll be fine so long as we can get it to output a separate signal.

Thanks, I'll let you know what I can get figured out...

[nightwalker]

He has a monitor down there as well, any way to get 2 instances of GBPVR running (one on the tv, one on the monitor), and have the sound outputting to different audio cards? Or just use iTunes or something on the monitor, outputting to a different audio card?

Could do the mvp method, but am trying to avoid ponying up another $100+...

Thanks,
-Connor

As i understand it you can't run two instances of GBpvr on one machine, that's where the MVP's come in. I run mine through channel modulators and give them each a channel so they are all available on any TV.

Without going the modulator route he could do what you want with just an MVP. You'd run the audio to an amplifier input and the video to an unused video input on the TV. That essentially does give you two instances of GBpvr on the same TV with the added benefit that you're feeding the audio (music) to the whole house for music playback. There is also no reason you can't use a couple of Y cables and split the audio of the MVP between the TV and the whole house amplifier if you want audio at both places.

[wrocky]

You could use a MVP as the source for music to the whole house amplifier. The only rub is you'd need a small cheap TV nearby to use as the user interface so you can see what audio you're playing. I use MVP's as two of the four sources in my audio system.

I've often thought of doing this, and using one of those in-car (12V) LCD screens as a video terminal. You can pick up a 7" display that is normally a second in car DVD display on sale for about $100 CDN (~$90 US). Of course you would need a 12 power supply as well, but it could end being a pretty slick solution.

Actually my son's DVD player in the car also has a video in, but I think he and my wife would be upset if I took it out and used it in the house.

[Braklet]

I've often thought of doing this, and using one of those in-car (12V) LCD screens as a video terminal. You can pick up a 7" display that is normally a second in car DVD display on sale for about $100 CDN (~$90 US).

sleazeBay vendors often have cheap LCD televisions for sale. I got an 8" display with NTSC tuner, composite video and VGA input for US$120 shipped about a year ago.

I could not find a comparable unit in local retail channels.

It is a better television than PC monitor, but it works great with my MVP. I'm thinking about getting another one once the US scraps analog (NTSC) broadcast; hopefully they'll be dirt cheap.