USB to USB Audio Solution?

[Ancillas]

Does anyone know of a solution to play audio from one computer to another via USB? I currently use an analog connection and it is very noisy and unreliable.

 

[sdifox]

USB Hub and USB network driver? You would need 2 USB A -USB A cables and a hub, or get one of these cables

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Connecting-Two-PCs-Using-a-USB-USB-Cable/248/1


why wouldn't you just use ethernet?

 

[Ancillas]

USB Hub and USB network driver? You would need 2 USB A -USB A cables and a hub, or get one of these cables

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Connecting-Two-PCs-Using-a-USB-USB-Cable/248/1


why wouldn't you just use ethernet?

I don't want to transfer files over USB, I want to take the default audio stream from computer-A and send it to computer-B via USB in such a way that computer-B sees computer-A as an audio device that can be used as input. e.g. [computer-A (playing audio from any source)]--->USB--->[Magical Device]--->USB--->[computer-B (mixing the 'Magical Device' audio into my headset)].

 

[sdifox]

I don't want to transfer files over USB, I want to take the default audio stream from computer-A and send it to computer-B via USB in such a way that computer-B sees computer-A as an audio device that can be used as input. e.g. [computer-A (playing audio from any source)]--->USB--->[Magical Device]--->USB--->[computer-B (mixing the 'Magical Device' audio into my headset)].

if you have network, you can setup an audio streaming service from computer A and access that from computer B.

 

[Ancillas]

if you have network, you can setup an audio streaming service from computer A and access that from computer B.

Care to share a specific solution that will sync the audio with video?

Say I want to play an in-browser netflix video on computer-A, but push the audio to my headphones on computer-B. I would think that network audio would be out of sync with the video, but I'd be willing to give it a shot if you know of a good network streaming solution.

Thanks.

 

[SithSolo1]

Care to share a specific solution that will sync the audio with video?

Say I want to play an in-browser netflix video on computer-A, but push the audio to my headphones on computer-B. I would think that network audio would be out of sync with the video, but I'd be willing to give it a shot if you know of a good network streaming solution.

Thanks.

Are computer A and B in different rooms?


I just cant wrap my head around the reasoning for trying to do something like that but I'm open to explanation. I mean to a lay person such as myself if you are watching said movie from Comp-A then wouldn't it be easier to just plug the headset into it? Or just watch it on Comp-B?

 

[sdifox]

Care to share a specific solution that will sync the audio with video?

Say I want to play an in-browser netflix video on computer-A, but push the audio to my headphones on computer-B. I would think that network audio would be out of sync with the video, but I'd be willing to give it a shot if you know of a good network streaming solution.

Thanks.

so what is stopping you from just watching netflix on computer b?


Please explain what you are trying to accomplish.


I am thinking something like this is what you are shooting for, but I could be wrong.

http://www.orb.com/

 

[Ancillas]

so what is stopping you from just watching netflix on computer b?


Please explain what you are trying to accomplish.


I am thinking something like this is what you are shooting for, but I could be wrong.

http://www.orb.com/

Orb will act as a DLNA server, but it won't work if I'm watching something within a program like Hulu Desktop or any other streaming solution.

Examples of when this would be useful

1.) Working on two or more machines while using a program like Synergy+ to share my keyboard and mouse. If I don't have speakers connected to the second machine, I need to be able to send the audio to the first machine.

2.) While nerding out, I put two monitors on my desk. The first is connected to computer-A and the second to computer-B. I play a game on computer/monitor-A (something like Civ 5) and then watch some tv on computer/monitor-B. My gaming headphones block out almost all noise from the room, so I need to run the audio from computer-B into computer-A so I can mix it into my headphones.

3.) Imagine I have two computers, but only one computer has speakers. I'm playing music on the computer with speakers, but I have another computer, possibly a server, that is working on compiling a software build or ripping a disk that I would like to audibly alert me on completion using the the computer that has speakers attached. (let's assume that growl or something like that won't work here)

4.) Any situation where different audio sources are playing on two computers and I want to be able to mix them into one stream.

i.e. I would use this solution in any situation where one might use an analog mixer or an audio receiver, but USB is my only option (or audio over ethernet or buying a new sound card with optical-in).

 

[sdifox]

Orb will act as a DLNA server, but it won't work if I'm watching something within a program like Hulu Desktop or any other streaming solution.

Examples of when this would be useful

1.) Working on two or more machines while using a program like Synergy+ to share my keyboard and mouse. If I don't have speakers connected to the second machine, I need to be able to send the audio to the first machine.

2.) While nerding out, I put two monitors on my desk. The first is connected to computer-A and the second to computer-B. I play a game on computer/monitor-A (something like Civ 5) and then watch some tv on computer/monitor-B. My gaming headphones block out almost all noise from the room, so I need to run the audio from computer-B into computer-A so I can mix it into my headphones.

3.) Imagine I have two computers, but only one computer has speakers. I'm playing music on the computer with speakers, but I have another computer, possibly a server, that is working on compiling a software build or ripping a disk that I would like to audibly alert me on completion using the the computer that has speakers attached. (let's assume that growl or something like that won't work here)

4.) Any situation where different audio sources are playing on two computers and I want to be able to mix them into one stream.

i.e. I would use this solution in any situation where one might use an analog mixer or an audio receiver, but USB is my only option (or audio over ethernet or buying a new sound card with optical-in).

so it's really just the audio? why not an analogue audio mixer?

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-802...XS3C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302730010&sr=8-1

 

[poofyhairguy]

this solution in any situation where one might use an analog mixer or an audio receiver, but USB is my only option (or audio over ethernet or buying a new sound card with optical-in).

That is what I am thinking- what is wrong with a USB card with an optical out connected to one with an optical in? All digital.

 

[Ancillas]

so it's really just the audio? why not an analogue audio mixer?

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-802-...2730010&sr=8-1

Here is my original question

Does anyone know of a solution to play audio from one computer to another via USB? I currently use an analog connection and it is very noisy and unreliable.

How does an analog mixer solve my problem? I already have an analog connection from one computer to another and it sounds horrible - this is why I need a digital solution (usb to usb, audio over ethernet, etc...).

 

[Ancillas]

That is what I am thinking- what is wrong with a USB card with an optical out connected to one with an optical in? All digital.

I can buy a card that has optical-in, but I don't currently have the ability to use optical-in (I'm rocking the P8P67 Deluxe which only supports optical-out). I'm running down this audio over usb idea before making a purchase.

 

[sdifox]

I can buy a card that has optical-in, but I don't currently have the ability to use optical-in (I'm rocking the P8P67 Deluxe which only supports optical-out). I'm running down this audio over usb idea before making a purchase.

why can't you use an optical in if you can buy a card? No more slots?

 

[Ancillas]

why can't you use an optical in if you can buy a card? No more slots?

Because I want to run down the usb option to see if it works before I go and make a purchase. I've got a stack of USB cables, but no spare optical cables and optical cables are more expensive, so it makes more sense to look for a usb or ethernet solution first. That is why I created a thread entitled "USB to USB Audio Solution?" instead of "What optical sound card should I buy?".

 

[Ross Ridge]

How does an analog mixer solve my problem? I already have an analog connection from one computer to another and it sounds horrible - this is why I need a digital solution (usb to usb, audio over ethernet, etc...).

You might want to figure out why your analogue connection has problems. I used to have two computers connected together like this, daisy chaining the line out of one PC into the line in of a second PC without a problem.

 

[Ancillas]

You might want to figure out why your analogue connection has problems. I used to have two computers connected together like this, daisy chaining the line out of one PC into the line in of a second PC without a problem.

Yeah, it's probably a bad cable, but it's just nice to have an external hardware mixer so that I can easily adjust volumes while in a game without alt-tabbing.

 

[sdifox]

What you are trying to do is possible with usb, except no one bothered to write the software/driver for it.