Gamespot wrote:

"Flight Sim X will have an optional sound setting that lets you direct radio chatter and ATC reports through your headset while blasting you with engine roar and ambient noises through 5.1 surround sound."

Does anyone know how this can be activated in the demo and if it can be configured to feed sound from an external VoIP program, like AVC, to the headset?

I'm going to assume you have a USB headset or 2nd soundcard, because thats what you need to do this. In the Sound control panel, on the Voice tab, set the playback device to your USB headset/2nd soundcard. If your device also has a mic, then set the recording device too. It works in the demo, and has caused me to go into the sound settings and try to raise the volume a couple times because I forgot I had my headset plugged in. :) (Also, with my USB headset if I unplug it and plug it in again later Windows will remember that I had it set for voice use.)And FYI, the PS2 USB Headset works fine with PCs."Let me help you out. You're cleared to taxi any way you can to any runway you see."

Well I don't use a second soundcard because I had problems with the 5.1. Nevertheless I tested it (with a single card) with microsoft's sound recorder and it automatically played voice through the headset only.For the record I use a M/B integrated sound card. I have the 5.1 connected to the rear jacks and the headset and mic to the front panel audio pins on the M/B. In the control panel the sound system is set as 5.1.Thanks for the advice.Conclusion: Test before asking :(

Now that is mighty strange. I just tested it inside FS and it doesn't work. Outside FS it sends sound from the sound recorder to the headset only, but sends music to both. Inside FS everything goes everywhere.Apparently it wasn't as easy as I thought. Anyhow can someone confirm if this headset registers as a seperate audio device: http://www.avsim.com/pages/1005/headset/headset.htm ?

>Now that is mighty strange. I just tested it inside FS and it>doesn't work. Outside FS it sends sound from the sound>recorder to the headset only, but sends music to both. Inside>FS everything goes everywhere.>>Apparently it wasn't as easy as I thought. Anyhow can someone>confirm if this headset registers as a seperate audio device:>http://www.avsim.com/pages/1005/headset/headset.htm ?No it does not.The USB port is to control the "vibrate" function of the headset.EDIT: I will say, I use my second sound card for the headset in flight sim, and it works great. I really like that feature.

That was the answer I was expecting...I used a second sound card too, but for some mysterious reason the rear 2 channels of the 5.1 didn't work. I guess I'll give it another shot.ThanksPS: It must sound amazing indeed.

You need to have two audio devices, so a second audio card or USB headsets will work. I got some USB headsets recently and they register as an independent audio device. So, under Control Panel >> Sounds and Audio Device Properties, you'll see a tab for Audio and one for Voice. In Audio >> Sound Playback, choose the audio device for your speakers. In Voice >> Voice Playback, choose the audio device for your headset. I got it to work for me. It's a pretty neat effect and adds something to the immersion factor.

>You need to have two audio devices, so a second audio card or>USB headsets will work. I got some USB headsets recently and>they register as an independent audio device. So, under>Control Panel >> Sounds and Audio Device Properties, you'll>see a tab for Audio and one for Voice. In Audio >> Sound>Playback, choose the audio device for your speakers. In Voice>>> Voice Playback, choose the audio device for your headset. >I got it to work for me. It's a pretty neat effect and adds>something to the immersion factor.Oddly enough, when I was on a flight and the ATC came over the headset, I started to answer outloud. It was pretty cool.

(champagne opening)I got the second sound card to work! The feeling of immersion is indeed multiplied by this. The way you hear the dampened sound of the engine through the headset. It really increases the sense of "being there".I aslo noticed somnething else I hadn't heard before. When the ATC spoke to my plane I could hear low intensity radio chatter, as if the controller's mic was picking up various noices from inside the tower (other controllers etc.). Pretty cool indeed.Next test: To see if AVC will be heard through the headset.

There's low level radio chatter in FS9 ATC too, but it can be hard to hear."Let me help you out. You're cleared to taxi any way you can to any runway you see."