Windows Vista forum: Stereo Mix in Windows Vista Home Basic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfd_BNyX6Bg

I don't see where you tried that.

If so the patch cord is the known workaround. It's all about DRM but I must not duplicate all you can find out on the web here. The patch cord works fine.
Bob

I looked at that but Winamp plays audio just fine without that cable. Can you detail why I would need this to play audio files with Winamp? I even use Winamp to play from streaming sites and it plays just dandy without that cable.
Bob

In need of a 3rd party program so that I can get stereo mix in Windows Vista. My motherboard doesnt support stereo mix. I tried the program Total recorder but didnt work..I want to stream music and it must have the stereo mix cabability.

thank you,

Terry

Well according to Dell software tech support they told me that there are 3rd party companies out there that will give me the stereo mix feature, but of course they wont tell you any names..A seperate audio codec im sure is how it works , just a matter of latching onto a good program to make it happen.

I am not running a creative labs card , I was mentioning the card as an example. I thought I was clear on asking my question about a 3rd party program that has stereo mix..I have an integrated Sigmatel piece of jumk audio device in my system that give me nothing to work with when it comes to recordings so this is why im asking around for a 3rd party program that will give me stereo mix. Thats all I am looking for.

The cable works.

-> There is a long discussion about why this is the way it is. Some expect me to explain it everytime it comes up but I won't. Is that OK or not by you?

So there it is. Continue to feel pain or use the solution we all use?
Bob

Hi everybody looking for that missing "stereo mix" function,

I find you guys a lot too tolerant with Dell. In my opinion, Dell deserves nothing less than a class action (legal proceedings) about this issue.

Imagine that you buy a new car and discover later (on the first rainy day) that it doesn't have windshield wipers. You go to the dealer and they say to you that "they don't support wipers anymore!". They add that you have to check with a third party to see if "maybe" they have a solution for you. And, last but not less frustrating, they blame you for not having checked for the presence of wipers at the moment of your purchase!!!

Definitely, Dell has lost respect toward its customers and is creeping in front of the RIAA and the big companies that own those infamous "copyrights".

In the past, I bought many computers from Dell. For me and for friends who had trust in me. All those machines had the stereo mix function without my asking. Along the years it was accepted that "stereo mix" was a "standard function" found on any "normal middle of the line" desktop computer. Dell changed these rules for really dubious reasons.

By the way, I don't use the stereo mix function to steal music. No! I use it for my work and my daughter uses it for some games. We are both angry at Dell mainly for not having warned us that our new machine would be lacking such an important function.

Pierre Cloutier
Dell customer #3434885

Why does everyone blame Dell? It's like blaming a rifle company because of a hunting accident.

Stereo Mix is hidden in Vista by Default depending on your sound card. The Inspiron 531 has onboard Realtek HD Audio, and Stereo Mix doesnt appear in the sound panel.

Click Start > Control Panel > (<classic view> Sound)/(<CP Home> Hardware and Sound > Manage Audio Devices)

This will bring up the sound config dialog showing you all available sound controllers. Click the Recording tab and right click a blank area in the box that lists any microphones you may have. Now check off "Show Disabled Devices" and "Show Disconnected Devices".

Now, you see that Stereo mix is in there. Right click Stereo Mix (it'll be translucent) and click "Enable". Voila, you have now enabled Stereo Mix.

Dont blame Dell because Vista hides and/or cripples alot of stuff. You'll find that after re-formatting, your Bluetooth card reader (if you opted for one) no longer works, not a Dell issue, Vista has a crippled Bluetooth stack and I can provide you a working one if you need, just email me at OLP-fanatic@hotmail.com

I don't really know why you were not able to find applications to record from your sound card without stereo mix. The following ones are recommended everywhere:

- Freecorder 4,
- Replay Music,
- Replay Media Catcher,
- Replay AV,
- Replay Video Capture

http://www.applian.com/


- WM Capture

http://www.wmrecorder.com/