[sweet877]

Hi,
I own a Sony VAIO SZ450N/C with Windows Vista Business Edition. I'm using the Sigmatel High Definition Audio Codec soundcard driver. In my Recording Panel, I only have the option of "Microphone." I have tried selecting "Show Disabled Devices" and "Show Disconnected Devices," but no other devices show up. I want to record directly through my sound card without going through an external microphone. Please help. Thanks so much!!!

[smazumder]

This functionality to work in Windows Vista requires a feature called “Stereo Mix”. This functionality is not supported by Sigmatel chipsets.

This features enables the user to record protected audio content while listening to it play through the speakers and is frowned upon by Microsoft.
Microsoft informed that platforms that supported this feature would not pass Windows logo requirements, thus Sigmatel did not support it in the hardware.
Microsoft have considered this issue and will enable this feature may be in future.

This feature cannot be enabled on Sigmatel platforms and there is no work around other than an ordering PCI audio card.

Note: Sigmatel removed Stereo Mix support from the sound controller. Replacing the sound device with a card or external sound device that supports Stereo Mix will allow to listen to the line-in “live”.

[sweet877]

What external sound devices may I consider? Thanks~

[smazumder]

There are many in the market. You need to decide based on features they offer.
One eg. http://www.soundblaster.com/products/audigy2NX/

[Noyb]

And .. Vista removed the MS Sound Mapper.
You might try a wire around ...
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-vi...ml#post4594681