Win10 Device Preferences: Any choice other than default doesn't work [#17035]

[MayorQwert]

I noticed that the current MM5 build doesn't seem to take changes to playback device, such as if my default device is Device A, and I want only MM5 to play back on Device B by manually changing the device in the "Settings>Sound>App Volume and device preferences" menu on Win10.

After playing some music (so it will show up in the device list), I change the audio device for MM5 to Device B, and then restart. When I play again it still says Device B is selected but audio will only play on Device A, the default device for my system. This is the case with all combinations of devices and no amount of restarting MM5 fixes it.

Please let me know if there's any confusion with what I'm trying to say. I feel like I may have explained this a bit awkwardly

[drakinite]

Switching output devices while MM5 is running works fine for me. But after restarting, it resets to default. https://youtu.be/GULn7_1NGfM

[Lowlander]

MediaMonkey has it's own setting for this under Tools > Options > Output Plug-ins by configuring the Output Plug-in that is enabled. Make sure this is set to the device you need.

[drakinite]

Good to know - I didn't realize you could configure the output devices from that menu.
Maybe it could be more intuitive to name the menu "Output Devices" - or perhaps "Output plug-ins & Devices"; to help users who are searching for that particular setting?

[Ludek]

Maybe just 'Output' would make it clearer?

[drakinite]

I think just the word "output" alone may be ambiguous; perhaps "Audio Output"?

[Ludek]

ok, discussed it with others

The setting needs to communicate a few things:
a - Difference between this setting and Output 'device' selection (Internal player, chromecast devices, UPnP)
b - relation to output plugins (which can be installed as addons)
c - association with audio settings

So 'Output' may be too generic, 'Output device' doesn't meet a/b. Another possibility could be 'Audio (output-plug-in)' .

If we make that change we might also want to change:
Input plug-ins --> Codecs (input plug-ins)
DSP plug-ins --> Audio (DSP plug-ins)

[drakinite]

Hmm. I think Codecs (Input plug-ins) is definitely clear, and an improvement over just input plug-ins.
Alternatively, to avoid parentheses, you could make it Codecs / Input plug-ins.

This may seem like a nitpicky change, but what about Audio Output (plug-ins); instead of Audio (output plug-ins)?
That way, there is an emphasis on audio output for that one, to differentiate from DSP.

And maybe DSP plug-ins can even stay as it is. After all, the only people who need to use that menu is people who already know what DSP plug-ins are. (I didn't know what they were until I looked it up just now.)

Codecs / Input plug-ins
Audio Output (plug-ins)
DSP plug-ins

[Peke]

Hi,
I agree, but in order to be consistent:
Codecs / Input (plug-ins)
Audio Output (plug-ins)
Audio DSP (plug-ins)

That way it will be clear where it is used and for what it is used and its type (eg. plug-ins not extensions or features or services).

[drakinite]

I think that's perfect! I hope everyone else agrees.

[Peke]

Hi,
Great, added as https://www.ventismedia.com/mantis/view.php?id=17035

[Barry4679]

I think that's perfect! I hope everyone else agrees.

I think that every little improvement to UI description helps. OTOH I don't think that it is perfect yet.

I tried to understand the Output Plug In options from the POV of What & Why ... ie. what could they do for me, and why would I care?
I didn't get very far. I did learn that the default MM5 option (DirectSound) is deprecated s/w from the time of Windows 95 and XP, and that it has been replaced with XAUDIO2, which MM5 doesn't seem to offer?

Other than that I now see that it has some influence of cross fade ... If I was looking for that setting I would have looked in Tools|Options|Player|PlaybackRules.

I would help if there was mention of, or a link to, that other tab like this.

The other thing that would help would be to to address the the "what" and "why" issue. There is an About button, which gives install instructions, but nothing about What & Why about the three options that are preinstalled with MM5. ... My guess is that they are heritage options, and only required for specialist setups (?) ... and that maybe it has all the real-world relevance of consideration of how many angels can dance on a pin head ... in which case the About button could indicate that?