Question about USB speakers and integrated speakers

[Supramom2000]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if it is possible to change the set-up of my speaker system to play both sets of speakers simultaneously?

I have a Realtek HD sound card and the speakers are integrated into my Vizio monitor. I also have a Logitech Z Harmony surround sound USB set of speakers. Both are showing in the audio devices folder and no matter which way I set the default, music and all audio except computer sounds, plays over the Z Harmony speakers.

In researching this, I found that USB speakers bypass the sound card, but isn't there a way to have both speakers play?

Tha particulars if needed: Dell Latitude computer running Vista Home with all updates. Vizio monitor with audio plugged in by the audio jack that came with the monito. Logitech Z Harmony USB speakers.

Also, while I am here to pick the brains of all the available experts, is there a way to convert DRM protected music (that I purchased legally) to MP3 or other formats to put on my Blackberry? For free? I found 5 Star Free Tunes which worked for me in the past, but since I got this new Dell, 5 Star says it cannot work with HD sound cards.

Thanks guys!!

[Shades228]

First step is what OS are you using? It can be done, using both speakers, but how to configure it depends on the OS.

There are many programs out there that will remove DRM. The main thing is where do you buy your music? Each provider has their own DRM so this will decide what program to get. There are many out there that can be used depending on your needs.

[Supramom2000]

I am running Vista Home and the music is from ITunes. I found many programs to remove DRM's but none were free except 5 Star Free tunes. I only have about 5 songs I want to convert, so I don't want to pay for a program.

Thanks.

[Supramom2000]

Anyone? Help would be greatly appreciated!!

[dorfd1]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if it is possible to change the set-up of my speaker system to play both sets of speakers simultaneously?

I have a Realtek HD sound card and the speakers are integrated into my Vizio monitor. I also have a Logitech Z Harmony surround sound USB set of speakers. Both are showing in the audio devices folder and no matter which way I set the default, music and all audio except computer sounds, plays over the Z Harmony speakers.

In researching this, I found that USB speakers bypass the sound card, but isn't there a way to have both speakers play?

Tha particulars if needed: Dell Latitude computer running Vista Home with all updates. Vizio monitor with audio plugged in by the audio jack that came with the monito. Logitech Z Harmony USB speakers.

Also, while I am here to pick the brains of all the available experts, is there a way to convert DRM protected music (that I purchased legally) to MP3 or other formats to put on my Blackberry? For free? I found 5 Star Free Tunes which worked for me in the past, but since I got this new Dell, 5 Star says it cannot work with HD sound cards.

Thanks guys!!

I have usb speakers that don't bypass the sound card.

[4HiMarks]

I am running Vista Home and the music is from ITunes. I found many programs to remove DRM's but none were free except 5 Star Free tunes. I only have about 5 songs I want to convert, so I don't want to pay for a program.

For 5 songs I would say to create a playlist and burn that to CD, then rip the CD into MP3s. You'll lose a bit in quality, but a BB isn't exactly a high fidelity device, so who cares.


Sorry I can't help you with the USB speaker issue. Why would someone buy something like that? It isn't like any PC is shipped without a speaker jack or line out these days. Save your USB ports for things that need two-way communication with the PC.

[scooper]

I have some CHEAP USB speakers POWERED by USB, but they plug into the line out on the sound.

[Supramom2000]

For 5 songs I would say to create a playlist and burn that to CD, then rip the CD into MP3s. You'll lose a bit in quality, but a BB isn't exactly a high fidelity device, so who cares.


Sorry I can't help you with the USB speaker issue. Why would someone buy something like that? It isn't like any PC is shipped without a speaker jack or line out these days. Save your USB ports for things that need two-way communication with the PC.

Thanks for that suggestion. I forgot about that option!! Last time I needed to convert 25 songs, so I did not want to do the burn/rip process. Since I had found a program that worked, I forgot all about that option!

As far as the speakers, I wanted surround sound since I work from home and have an awesome music collection on my pc. All the surround sound systems with subwoofers were USB speakers. Probably because it is such an easy install. You don't even need a sound card. I have 6 usb ports on my computer, so I have plenty, plus I have a USB hub if necessary.

[scooper]

Your USB speakers are SUPPLYING the sound card, it sounds like.

[Shades228]

Thanks for that suggestion. I forgot about that option!! Last time I needed to convert 25 songs, so I did not want to do the burn/rip process. Since I had found a program that worked, I forgot all about that option!

As far as the speakers, I wanted surround sound since I work from home and have an awesome music collection on my pc. All the surround sound systems with subwoofers were USB speakers. Probably because it is such an easy install. You don't even need a sound card. I have 6 usb ports on my computer, so I have plenty, plus I have a USB hub if necessary.

This will not work how you want it to. You can use a sound card and usb speakers at the same time but not for the same application.

USB speakers are easy but they eat up processesor time as they're ignoring the sound card. They basically make the computer run slower.

If you want surround sound there are many great speaker sets that you can get for your PC that are fairly inexpensive. However surround sound for music is really based on opinion. It would be more bang for the buck to spend the same amount on a good set of speakers with a sub than a surround setup for the PC.

[Shades228]

Your USB speakers are SUPPLYING the sound card, it sounds like.

No the operating system is decoding it and using the processor to do so. The whole point of sound cards are to remove the strain from the CPU and since they are dedicated have much better efeciency.

[Supramom2000]

Thanks Shades, that pretty much answers my question. The speakers I have do have a subwoofer and the sound is pretty darn good. I really like them. I just thought it would add to the experience to have the sound coming from the monitor's speakers as well.

Thanks again!!

[4HiMarks]

Thanks Shades, that pretty much answers my question. The speakers I have do have a subwoofer and the sound is pretty darn good. I really like them. I just thought it would add to the experience to have the sound coming from the monitor's speakers as well.

You'd probably be much better off getting a new sound card with S/PDIF optical or coaxial out and hook up a mid-priced HTiB. Then let the A/V receiver do the processing.

Out of curiosity, what music do you have on your PC that is surround sound encoded, and how did you get it there? I think CDs are only stereo and you need DVD Audio or SACD to get surround. A stereo signal then requires some sort of signal processing (E.g. Dolby, DTS, etc.) to "fake" surround effects. I think MP3 ripping programs usually only extract the stereo signal as well.

[LarryFlowers]

There is a product called Virtual Audio Cable that I have heard of, though I have never used myself.

Fortunately you can dowload it and try it before you buy and it costs $30. You can find it here: http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.html (http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.html)

If you look at the attached picture, it appears that "Wave In" shows the same sound source on both devices while "Wave Out" shows 2 separate devices. This looks like it works and from what I read it does.

Try it and see if it works and be sure you let me know.

Larry

[Supramom2000]

You'd probably be much better off getting a new sound card with S/PDIF optical or coaxial out and hook up a mid-priced HTiB. Then let the A/V receiver do the processing.

Out of curiosity, what music do you have on your PC that is surround sound encoded, and how did you get it there? I think CDs are only stereo and you need DVD Audio or SACD to get surround. A stereo signal then requires some sort of signal processing (E.g. Dolby, DTS, etc.) to "fake" surround effects. I think MP3 ripping programs usually only extract the stereo signal as well.

Thanks for your suggestions!! What you are talking about is probably above my level of self-taught techie who learns through trial and error and google!!

The Z-Harmony speakers are really pretty good for my small office. I doubt any of the music is true surround sound, and since there are only 2 speakers, they are not real surround sound either. That is just the name of them as they have some sort of way of projecting the sound (I think - again above my experience). But they are pretty nice little speakers and the sound is really good for my needs. Here is what the web-site says:
Theater-quality sound.
With Z-Cinéma, you’ll get deep, extended bass for the games you love and clear dialogue for your favorite movies and music.

• 180 watts (RMS) of power.
• A unique three-amp design for a more natural, balanced response.
• Laser-tuned two-way satellite speakers.
• 8-inch long-throw subwoofer gives you powerful, distortion-free bass.

Here is a link in case you are interested: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3523892&CatId=2893


As far as the music, I purchased everything from I-Tunes or transferred from CD's. None of it is illegally purchased or copied or any of that. I don't actually understand how a lot of the music purchased from I-Tunes shows as "purchased AAC", and the rest as "protected AAC". They all came from the same source with the same I-Tunes account. It is only the "protected" ones that I cannot transfer to my Blackberry.

Today I did burn 2 songs to a CD in audio format and then put them back on I-Tunes. They show now as MPEG format. I have not yet tried to put them on my Blackberry. The Blackberyy is not a big deal either, but I drive all over a tri-state area for my job, and many times I forget my Ipod, so since I always have my phone with me, it also works as an MP3 player plugged into the car's stereo system.

[Shades228]

Thanks for your suggestions!! What you are talking about is probably above my level of self-taught techie who learns through trial and error and google!!

The Z-Harmony speakers are really pretty good for my small office. I doubt any of the music is true surround sound, and since there are only 2 speakers, they are not real surround sound either. That is just the name of them as they have some sort of way of projecting the sound (I think - again above my experience). But they are pretty nice little speakers and the sound is really good for my needs. Here is what the web-site says:
Theater-quality sound.
With Z-Cinéma, you’ll get deep, extended bass for the games you love and clear dialogue for your favorite movies and music.

• 180 watts (RMS) of power.
• A unique three-amp design for a more natural, balanced response.
• Laser-tuned two-way satellite speakers.
• 8-inch long-throw subwoofer gives you powerful, distortion-free bass.

Here is a link in case you are interested: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3523892&CatId=2893


As far as the music, I purchased everything from I-Tunes or transferred from CD's. None of it is illegally purchased or copied or any of that. I don't actually understand how a lot of the music purchased from I-Tunes shows as "purchased AAC", and the rest as "protected AAC". They all came from the same source with the same I-Tunes account. It is only the "protected" ones that I cannot transfer to my Blackberry.

Today I did burn 2 songs to a CD in audio format and then put them back on I-Tunes. They show now as MPEG format. I have not yet tried to put them on my Blackberry. The Blackberyy is not a big deal either, but I drive all over a tri-state area for my job, and many times I forget my Ipod, so since I always have my phone with me, it also works as an MP3 player plugged into the car's stereo system.

I believe that I read that I tunes is releasing non DRM music now, I think for a higher price, and you can choose to remove DRM from ones that you have purchased from them for a small fee. I don't use itunes so I'm just going off of memory here.

Another option is the Slacker program for your Blackberry.