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Hardware Volume Buttons

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 10:17 am
by mikek
Can anyone tell me if my interpretation of all the various volume controls is right....

Firstly when using app like WMP10, there is a volume slider on it. This works in series with the Wave Slider in the Windows sound Mixer - and this also has a master volume control - which is the same one as the one that appears on the taskbar Volume icon.

then the buttons on the thinkpad operate in series with all the above.. in fact I wonder if they actually control the hardware direct - although the mute button is picked up by the sound mixer applet.

It certainly seems to be that if you don't hear anything, you've got four separate places to check.

Have I got this right??
Thanks

pretty much, yes you do

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 12:53 pm
by davidspalding
I believe the TP volume controls are hardware, and independent (in series) with the other software sliders.

Example: As you've found, run SNDVOL32 and you can see various Windows volume levels. Some programs will change the WAV slider, but some (like Windows Media Player) have their own volume, but depend on the WAV volume; that is if you lower overall WAV volume, MP3s/WMAs in WMP get quieter. CD volume slider may invoke the main windows CD-ROM volume.

My two centavos, I just set the Windows sliders midrange and use my oh-so-convenient TP hardware buttons. Gets a bit trickier when a docking station with external speakers is thrown into the equation.

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 2:19 pm
by mikek
Thanks David - it was wrestling with the external speakers in my monitor that made me question what was going on... as I can't reach the oh-so-handy TP buttons then....

regards