Using correct USB audio terminal types should prevent this sort of device from becoming the default on Vista SP1 and Windows 7. Based on the description of this hypothetical device, one of the terminal types from Table 2-4 or 2-5 of Universal Serial Bus Device Class Definition for Terminal Types would be appropriate. These types generally would not become the Default Device on Windows 7. Also, as Hakon mentioned in his response, on Windows 7 such devices would likely become the Default Communications Device for audio (a separate setting from the general Default Device). Communications-oriented apps such as messenger apps with voice support should seriously consider using of the Default Communications Device for Windows 7. If for some reason this is inadequate then we'd like to hear about it so we can improve the feature in the future. Similarly, I'm fairly sure Vista SP1 also would avoid making these terminal types the default- I know we fixed some things up in this area - but I'd have to double check the specifics. DJ might know those details off the top of his head. Frank Yerrace Microsoft This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. From: wdmaudiodev-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wdmaudiodev-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Perry, Chris Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 10:48 AM To: wdmaudiodev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [wdmaudiodev] Re: Need USB Audio device to not be the default speaker at plug-in David, The idea is that when the USB phone is plugged into the USB port the image of a phone appears on the desktop and just works. When you click on this image it opens up. If you wish to make a call you can use the mouse to click out the number on the displayed number pad image or you can just type the phone number out on your computer keyboard. If I am interfacing with the displayed phone application I expect to find things happening on my USB hardware (phone). If my USB hardware actually is a phone I could also just press the keys on it to dial out. I simply want to plug in a USB device and have it launch an application from the device firmware with no other user intervention needed. This means any drivers, icons, or other pieces needed on the PC will all come from the USB device. My understanding is that Microsoft has added OS Descriptors that can be bundled with the standard USB descriptors in the USB firmware to make this sort of thing happen. So everything should be seamless except for the unfortunate issue of the device becoming a default speaker if the USB descriptors say it is a speaker. So that it will not become a default speaker when plugged in, I need to know what "USB playback device category" should my USB descriptors present this USB audio device as, assuming this is the "official" method to prevent an audio device from becoming the default. -Chris From: wdmaudiodev-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wdmaudiodev-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David A. Hoatson Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 1:20 PM To: wdmaudiodev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [wdmaudiodev] Re: Need USB Audio device to not be the default speaker at plug-in Wouldn't this be simple to accomplish by having a device selection in the USB phone application? I know this seems simplistic, but it seems there have been so many things taken out of the end-users hands that we are now left trying to program around an array of limitations instead of trusting that the user really does know what they are doing. Alternatively the OS would have to remember the "default" audio device for each application independently. Thank you, David A. Hoatson Lynx Studio Technology, Inc. www.lynxstudio.com<http://www.lynxstudio.com/> ________________________________ From: wdmaudiodev-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wdmaudiodev-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Perry, Chris Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 9:52 AM To: wdmaudiodev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [wdmaudiodev] Re: Need USB Audio device to not be the default speaker at plug-in Tim, you got me on this one :) Let's change the scenario to a USB phone. We only want the speaker in the phone to sound when a phone call is coming in or you are actively engaged in a phone conversation. Meanwhile the regular PC speakers play back the usual dings and dongs and perhaps a little Mozart? -Chris Perry From: wdmaudiodev-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wdmaudiodev-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tim Roberts Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 12:42 PM To: wdmaudiodev@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [wdmaudiodev] Re: Need USB Audio device to not be the default speaker at plug-in Perry, Chris wrote: Suppose I am developing a USB based toy gun that comes bundled with a game. When the user plugs in the USB gun, the ultimate user experience would be for the game application to launch and only render gun sounds sent from the game application. Ideally I don't want the USB device to show up as a device that a user can select for as a generic speaker using the control panel applet. Why not? I mean, what's the worst case scenario? Some 14-year-old would think it was cool to have music playing out of his gun, and then he unplugs it and goes back to his normal audio device. I just don't see why this is a situation that is worth worrying about. You wouldn't MAKE yourself the preferred device, but if some user wants to do so, he gets what he deserves. Right? -- Tim Roberts, timr@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:timr@xxxxxxxxx> Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.