In Windows Media Center, is there a way to use both digital and analog audio simultaneously?

Question

I have a PC in my living room (HTPC) running Windows 7 Media Center. It has a Gigabyte motherboard and I am using the embedded audio. I have the analog audio output to a SONY TV and digital output to a Yamaha soundbar. In the Control Panel I can set one output or the other to be the default device and it works fine but then I usually have to restart Media Center to have it detect the changes.

So questions:

1. Can I have the audio outputted to both devices simultaneously so I don't have to switch?
2. If not, is there an easier way to switch outputs (ideally from my remote)?
3. Is there a add-in soundcard that offers this option?

Answer 1

I once used this application (You can try it for free):

http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.htm

"Virtual Audio Cable software allows you to transfer audio (wave) streams between applications and/or devices.

It creates a set of virtual audio devices named "Virtual Cables", each of them consists of a pair of the waveform input/output devices. Any application can send audio stream to an output side of a cable, and any other application can receive this stream from an input side. All transfers are made digitally, providing NO sound quality loss (a bitperfect streaming)."

Answer 2

I have the same setup as yours, the different is I use Sony home theater. From my PC analog output to Sony TV and I use Optical cable from TV to my home theater. All sound from PC to TV 1st then to Home Theater. No switching whatsoever.

If I have optical output on my PC, I would directly plug it to Home Theater System.

You can also upgrade your GPU with HDMI port. Since HDMI carry sound also, you won't need another audio cable. I am currently with this setup. HDMI from GPU to TV and the home theater already connected to TV via HDMI(↔). Sound is better than analog.