Feature Request: Set audio device per library

[PJM 17]

I would like the ability to set the audio device to be used (desktop app in Windows) on a per library or per media basis. 

Usage case:  videos output sound to my cheap-ish 5.1 soundbar; music outputs to my very good external DAC/amp.  Audio setting should allow for exclusive use of the output device. 

Thank you. 

 

[visproduction 315]

PJ,
Did you try to connect the HDMI video to your AV amp / pre amp?  Many of these AV Amps can grab the surround and then pass the video with another cable to the TV.  You need a more recent amp to be able to handle the HDMI video pass through.

Hope that helps.

[PJM 17]

21 hours ago, visproduction said:

PJ,
Did you try to connect the HDMI video to your AV amp / pre amp?  Many of these AV Amps can grab the surround and then pass the video with another cable to the TV.  You need a more recent amp to be able to handle the HDMI video pass through.

Hope that helps.

I have a "decent" amp with R2R DAC, and I am not looking to change it. 

[visproduction 315]

OK, if your system doesn't do it, you could also get an convertor HDMI split to digital optical + HDMI passthrough back to the TV.
 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hdmi+surround+sound+audio+splitter+5.1

It's your system that splits the signal out, not Emby.  Emby delivers the audio content for all media through whatever connection you use, Wifi or Ethernet.  Your TV or your AV amp decides what to do with the audio, not Emby.

You could have a version of a TV show or Movie that is already converted down to stereo.  That should bump through to your nicer speakers.  Converting media to stereo can be done with audio and video editors.  Perhaps it may be possible to force a conversion with Emby, but that is not really an optimized way to do it.  That would mean you would store the original media in 5.1 or higher surround and then everytime someone asks for it, it converts to stereo on the fly which would also cause a video conversion, because you cannot, as I understand it, just convert audio with Emby.  Does someone know if that is possible?

Anyway, a better approach would be to leave your media alone and not bother converting it.  It's much easier to get your home theater playback to pull the surround out and send it to where you want.  In order to do that you need either a larger surround sound system with big speakers or a digital convertor working in your AV amp that converts surround to stereo on the fly and sends it to the speakers, or use one of the sound splitters.  They sometimes have audio delay and noise issues.  Read the reviews.  There are used AV amps around that handle HDMI surround sound conversion to stereo that are older that can be found for around $150.

Hope that makes sense and helps.

Edited October 18, 2024 by visproduction

[PJM 17]

22 hours ago, visproduction said:

Hope that makes sense and helps.

Nope on both counts.

I suggested a feature that could be useful in some cases for some users.  Unless you are an Emby developer who can comment on the likelyhood of adding this feature (and the required complexity) then you are adding nothing to this discussion. 

[visproduction 315]

PJ
Well, then excuse me for taking any interest.  I will make a note that my effort has no value to you.

[PJM 17]

2 hours ago, visproduction said:

PJ
Well, then excuse me for taking any interest.  I will make a note that my effort has no value to you.

I don't understand this reply.  I was simply making a feature suggestion to bring Emby on par with high-end audio, bringing it closer to a full-fledged media solution as opposed to one primarily focussed on video.  This is a somewhat nice request and not one I expected the developers to prioritise. I was not  posting a problem and was not looking for solutions or troubleshooting, or incorrect info. 

[Luke 42077]

HI, customizable audio output device selection definitely makes sense, but why per library?

[PJM 17]

5 hours ago, Luke said:

HI, customizable audio output device selection definitely makes sense, but why per library?

Per library OR per media type; I don't know if one would be easier or preferred for most users. 

Beyond that it's as I explained: for me tv/movies output to a soundbar, music goes to an external DAC/heaphone amp.  

[Luke 42077]

19 minutes ago, PJM said:

Per library OR per media type; I don't know if one would be easier or preferred for most users. 

Beyond that it's as I explained: for me tv/movies output to a soundbar, music goes to an external DAC/heaphone amp.  

I think per media type makes the most sense.

[HawkXP71 112]

On 10/20/2024 at 5:04 PM, Luke said:

I think per media type makes the most sense.

Ill add my two bits. I would like it while playing being able to select the audio device for output.

If there is a setting "per library" or "media type", one option should be "system default audio" and it should play through the system default settings.

However, while playing, you should be able to select a different speaker set for this one and only playback, without having any effect on any defaults.