How can I automate sound device selection? (speakers vs. dock)

Hi, I have a VAIO laptop which has 2 sound devices shown:

1. Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel HD Audio CODEC)
2. Digital Output Device S/PDIF (SigmaTel HD Audio CODEC)

This is pretty simple - when the laptop is undocked I want it to use its
spakers (1). When it is docked I want it to use the docking station's
S/PDIF (2).

Yet at the moment I have to manually go into Control Panel > Sound, select
the device each time I dock/undock, and click Set Default.

Surely there is an easier way? I'm sure XP used to at least attempt to
switch automatically.
--
Thanks,
CJSnet

Recommended:
* http://search.superhighstreet.com - Finds anything or they pay!
* http://www.superhighstreet.com & http://www.oxfordstreet.com - Beat the
crowds with Virtual Streetscapes

[remove 'teeth' to e-mail me]

CJSnet,

Your needs sound as though they could best be addressed by a forum devoted
to sound issues. There may well be a way to do what you want, but that
accomplishment likely will require knowledge in sound issues rather than in
Vista issues. Perhaps there is a sound card, or some external gizmo that can
do what you want, but I just don't know. Try using google to locate a forum,
or other source (sound card manufacturer?) to help resolve your issue. Just
some thoughts. I don't know of a way to do what you want by using Vista by
itself.
--
freddy


"CJSnet" wrote:

> Hi, I have a VAIO laptop which has 2 sound devices shown:
>
> 1. Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel HD Audio CODEC)
> 2. Digital Output Device S/PDIF (SigmaTel HD Audio CODEC)
>
> This is pretty simple - when the laptop is undocked I want it to use its
> spakers (1). When it is docked I want it to use the docking station's
> S/PDIF (2).
>
> Yet at the moment I have to manually go into Control Panel > Sound, select
> the device each time I dock/undock, and click Set Default.
>
> Surely there is an easier way? I'm sure XP used to at least attempt to
> switch automatically.
> --
> Thanks,
> CJSnet
>
> Recommended:
> * http://search.superhighstreet.com - Finds anything or they pay!
> * http://www.superhighstreet.com & http://www.oxfordstreet.com - Beat the
> crowds with Virtual Streetscapes
>
> [remove 'teeth' to e-mail me]
>
>

Have you looked at setting up Hardware Profiles?

http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/win...iles-in-vista/



"CJSnet" <usenet@TEETHthe-simpson.tv> wrote in message
news:25BA4F4A-E93B-4AB4-B77A-B71CF33E0400@microsoft.com...
> Hi, I have a VAIO laptop which has 2 sound devices shown:
>
> 1. Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel HD Audio CODEC)
> 2. Digital Output Device S/PDIF (SigmaTel HD Audio CODEC)
>
> This is pretty simple - when the laptop is undocked I want it to use its
> spakers (1). When it is docked I want it to use the docking station's
> S/PDIF (2).
>
> Yet at the moment I have to manually go into Control Panel > Sound, select
> the device each time I dock/undock, and click Set Default.
>
> Surely there is an easier way? I'm sure XP used to at least attempt to
> switch automatically.
> --
> Thanks,
> CJSnet
>
> Recommended:
> * http://search.superhighstreet.com - Finds anything or they pay!
> * http://www.superhighstreet.com & http://www.oxfordstreet.com - Beat the
> crowds with Virtual Streetscapes
>
> [remove 'teeth' to e-mail me]
>
>

Thanks, that's an interesting idea. The only spanner in the works is that
the SigmaTel audio driver has only one device driver, which covers both the
laptop speakers, and the S/PDIF docking station output, so if I disable the
device then I get neither.

And then there's the small matter of not knowing which service can
enable/disable sound using hardware profiles :-S

I love the fact that Vista is recognising that the laptop is 'docked' or
'undocked', all I need is for it to switch audio outputs depending on which
state it sees.
--
Thanks,
CJSnet

Recommended:
* http://search.superhighstreet.com - Finds anything or they pay!
* http://www.superhighstreet.com & http://www.oxfordstreet.com - Beat the
crowds with Virtual Streetscapes

[remove 'teeth' to e-mail me]


"Buellpilot" <colin_mcclinton@hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
news:uZObD5eoHHA.2452@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Have you looked at setting up Hardware Profiles?
>
> http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/win...iles-in-vista/
>
>
>
> "CJSnet" <usenet@TEETHthe-simpson.tv> wrote in message
> news:25BA4F4A-E93B-4AB4-B77A-B71CF33E0400@microsoft.com...
>> Hi, I have a VAIO laptop which has 2 sound devices shown:
>>
>> 1. Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel HD Audio CODEC)
>> 2. Digital Output Device S/PDIF (SigmaTel HD Audio CODEC)
>>
>> This is pretty simple - when the laptop is undocked I want it to use its
>> spakers (1). When it is docked I want it to use the docking station's
>> S/PDIF (2).
>>
>> Yet at the moment I have to manually go into Control Panel > Sound,
>> select the device each time I dock/undock, and click Set Default.
>>
>> Surely there is an easier way? I'm sure XP used to at least attempt to
>> switch automatically.
>> --
>> Thanks,
>> CJSnet
>>
>> Recommended:
>> * http://search.superhighstreet.com - Finds anything or they pay!
>> * http://www.superhighstreet.com & http://www.oxfordstreet.com - Beat
>> the crowds with Virtual Streetscapes
>>
>> [remove 'teeth' to e-mail me]
>>
>>
>
>