[linux-audio-user] Multi-channel audio with a computer front end

[Mark Knecht]

On 1/15/07, Paul Davis <paul at linuxaudiosystems.com> wrote:
<SNIP>
>
> first of all, D/A conversion associated with the computer does need to
> be noisy - there are many devices with external breakout boxes now - and
> it does not need to be jittery if you are willing to spend money on good
> equipment. i would agree that doing it inside the chassis case is
> probably not the best arrangement, but thats not much of an issue these
> days.
>
<SNIP>

I agree with everythign PAul said although I *think* he meant to say
"D/A conversion associated with the computer does (NOT) need to be
noisy". D/A converters inside of a computer are a bad idea but mounted
externally in a breakout box they are no different than the same
converters sitting inside a recording studio.


<SNIP>
>
> RME solutions have too high a channel count for you, however.

<Revisiting your original post>

Will a linux
movie player using xine or gstreamer be able to send the correct channels of
the Dolby Digital/DTS to the individual channels on a multi-channel pro
device?

</Revisiting>

I run an RME HDSP 9652. I suspect that's similar to what Paul is
running these days. I have used xine with hdspmixer to mix 5.1 output
into other formats, like stereo. There is no reason you couldn't do
the same mixing 5.1 into 4.1 or some other arrangement that works with
your specialized setup. It worked great for me. xine outputs six
channels of audio. You can do whatever you want wither each channel -
ladspa plugins, combinations routed how you like, etc. It's quite easy
with hdspmixer.

As others have said I would stay away from the FreeBob solutions at
this time, unless you have a stomach for working through whatever
issues you are going to come across. You could do a *Very* nice
high-end home theater system using an HDSP 9636 and a good set of
D/A's. You might look at one of the low-cost (<$250) 8 channel ones
for all the extra channels and use something like a Benchmark DAC1
which has really great sound, albeit a bit pricey but not totally over
the top, for left and right.

Hope this helps,
Mark