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Default Sound Card

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  • Default
  • Audio
  • Media Player
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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January 30, 2014 5:04:02 PM

How do I make my Creative SoundBlaster Z my default audio? It is correctly installed but when I play music, the Windows Media Player pops up on the screen and shows it is playing the music. SoundBlaster Z doesn't appear on the control panel so I can't change the default audio from Media Player to SoundBlaster Z for better audio. Appreciate some help.
Bob

More about : default sound card

January 30, 2014 5:21:57 PM

If you're hearing audio output from your computer, setting your default audio device isn't your trouble. If what you want is to have a different software program play your music when you double-click it, you need to change the program associated to that type of file in Windows.

If you right mouse-click on one of the files that would normally open in Windows Media Player, you should see an option on the context menu called, Open With...

Going through that menu will allow you to choose a new default program to use when opening that type of file in the future. If you don't see the program you want listed, you may need to click More Options or Choose Default Program, and you may further have to click browse and navigate to the folder that your program is installed into.
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January 30, 2014 5:25:08 PM

Speaker icon on bottom right.
Playback devices = select speakers and SoundBlaster Z as default.
Download VLC media player which is vastly superior to WMP.
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January 30, 2014 6:05:29 PM

My 2 cents:

1) I prefer the K-Lite Codec Pack. I've tried VLC, even recently, but don't like it as much:
http://codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

2) When you install K-Lite, it should end up as the DEFAULT video player.

Other:
1) I assume you have connected your SPEAKERS to the audio card, not the motherboard audio output?

2) Did you install the SOFTWARE for that card?

3) Disable the onboard audio from the motherboard BIOS.

4) In the video player for K-Lite (WMPC-HC) you can change a few things in the Options. I suggest:
a) Options->Player-> (change to remember DVD and File position)

b) Options->Player->Other (check "limit Windows proportions on resize" to resize video without stretching if not watching fullscreen)

c) Filters-> Uncheck MPEG2/AVC/VC1 if checked (not checked if you choose "software decode" when installing. You should use software method unless you have an older PC with insufficient CPU power)
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January 30, 2014 6:15:58 PM

The problem with VLC is it is not legal in all areas as they use patented software technology, claiming since they are based in France, which refuses to honor the patents, it's okay.

Infringing patents and copyrights is against the terms of this website, and I hope people can understand that VLC may not be legal in their locality.
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January 30, 2014 6:21:31 PM

Did not know that! never read the fine print!
HUMAN CENTiPAD !
Look in control panel and check if the SoundBlaster is functioning as well.
photonboy it's been along while since I've used K-Lite I think I'll try it out again!


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February 1, 2014 1:44:20 PM

bigpinkdragon286 said:
If you're hearing audio output from your computer, setting your default audio device isn't your trouble. If what you want is to have a different software program play your music when you double-click it, you need to change the program associated to that type of file in Windows.

If you right mouse-click on one of the files that would normally open in Windows Media Player, you should see an option on the context menu called, Open With...

Going through that menu will allow you to choose a new default program to use when opening that type of file in the future. If you don't see the program you want listed, you may need to click More Options or Choose Default Program, and you may further have to click browse and navigate to the folder that your program is installed into.


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February 1, 2014 2:13:26 PM

bigpinkdragon286: Thanks for your answer. I followed your steps. Creative SoundBlaster Z sound card is properly installed and my external speakers are plugged into it. When I click on "Open With" I get only 2 choices: Windows Media Player and Quick Time Player. SoundBlaster Z is not a program per se. It consists of files to adjust settings on its control panel.
My thought was that WMP is interfering with the sound from my sound card but maybe I'm mistaken? From reading your answer and other answers it seems that I need a media player to play music BUT would it interfere with the audio generated by the sound card? I used msconfig services to turn off WMP but that resulted in no audio at all so I turned it back on. Maybe I'm just generally confused.
Creative Audio Service and SoundBlaster service also appear under services in msconfig and they are both running.
What should I do?
Bob
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February 1, 2014 4:14:39 PM

If your connected to these connectors, see Photo 1 :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Then, your getting ALL the benefit of the circuitry on your new Sound Blaster card.... (does NOT matter what settings, default, or Program your using....)

IF on the other hand your speakers are still connected to your motherboard audio out, ah, our not using the SoundBlaster at all....
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February 2, 2014 7:15:58 PM

jb6684 said:
If your connected to these connectors, see Photo 1 :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Then, your getting ALL the benefit of the circuitry on your new Sound Blaster card.... (does NOT matter what settings, default, or Program your using....)

IF on the other hand your speakers are still connected to your motherboard audio out, ah, our not using the SoundBlaster at all....


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February 2, 2014 7:22:47 PM

Thanks for the information. It eliminated my confusion. My speakers have always been connected to the sound card. My headphones aren't connected though because they connect to a usb port. I'd need a different set of headphones if I wanted to plug them into the sound card.
Thanks.............................bob
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