[linux-audio-dev] surround multimedia SW on Linux

I've had this request on a non-Linux list: Can you provide more feedback (about) ... multimedia players capable of decoding Dolby AC3, DTS, DVD-Audio, etc. on a Linux machine? What about software players running on a CAR-PC and surround-capable? I know very little about the whole field of multimedia players for proprietary formats on Linux. Can someone fill in the gaps ? - which apps are available ? - are they open-source ? - what interfaces (ALSA, JACK, OSS, ...) do they have ? - do they require Windoze emulation ? - what is their maintenance state ? - etc. Many thanks, -- FA Follie! Follie! Delirio vano e' questo!