Microsoft KB Archive/823319

= Problems With Simultaneous Analog Playback and Record =

Article ID: 823319

Article Last Modified on 1/16/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series
 * Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series

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SYMPTOMS
Windows Media Player 9 Series can play audio CDs in either analog or digital mode. Depending on hardware or other requirements, you may change the setting to analog playback mode. When analog playback mode is set, other applications that use the audio subsystem may be blocked because Windows Media Player is using it.

If you try to record and play back at the same time in analog mode, you may receive an error.

For example, if you change your settings to analog CD audio playback and then use Sound Recorder (Sndrec32.exe) to record from an available audio source, you may receive an error that is similar to the following:

Your Audio Hardware cannot record into file like the current file. To record, create a new document.

Other applications that allow audio recording may also display a similar error message.



CAUSE
In Windows 2000 and earlier versions of Windows, there is only one audio path in analog mode.



RESOLUTION
In Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, in Windows XP and in Windows Server 2003, a new handler named Splitter.sys splits an audio stream into multiple streams. This functionality is not available in earlier versions of Windows.

Splitter.sys is used with Windows Media Player 9 Series in analog mode to display visualizations. This makes it possible to play CDs in analog mode and view visualizations at the same time: Splitter.sys takes the incoming signal and sends it to the speakers and the visualization program at the same time.

You cannot typically play audio CDs in analog mode while you record audio. You must either stop playing the CD or schedule the recording session for later.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.

Keywords: kbprb kbdswwmm2003swept KB823319

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