lossless sound from HTPC

[JAC35]

Hi,

Can anyone confirm that you can get lossless sound from an HTPC rig? What kind of soundcard can you use? Does it work with the latest Power DVD Ultra? can you use the 3 mini plugs from your soundcard to your speaker system?

[resevilfan86]

Are you talking having it bitstreamed or decoded internally?

[JAC35]

Internally decoded. Bascically using the 5.1 connectors on the back of the soundcard to 5.1 speakers like the Logitech Z-5500.

[JAC35]

It would appear there is a lot of confusion over this issue. Looks like stuff is downsampled but would sound better than using the SPDIF.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=892863&page=1

[gwoardnog]

Well, I can help for music if you do that through HTPC:
Foobar2000 with ASIO component (separate download, but on the same website as Foobar2000).

and the ASIO4ALL driver.

Activate ASIO4ALL to work on you soundcard.
Set ASIO as the output in foobar, not your soundcard.

bypasses windows kernel. That alone will make it sound 10x better.

For bit perfect, coupled with foobar, I used a trends audio USB to output SPIDF (HDCD et all on the receiver). But I had a crappy onboard soundcard to begin with.

ASIO4ALL will at least help with your sound in movies even though it won't be what you're after.

[JAC35]

Originally Posted by gwoardnog

Well, I can help for music if you do that through HTPC:
Foobar2000 with ASIO component (separate download, but on the same website as Foobar2000).

and the ASIO4ALL driver.

Activate ASIO4ALL to work on you soundcard.
Set ASIO as the output in foobar, not your soundcard.

bypasses windows kernel. That alone will make it sound 10x better.

For bit perfect, coupled with foobar, I used a trends audio USB to output SPIDF (HDCD et all on the receiver). But I had a crappy onboard soundcard to begin with.

ASIO4ALL will at least help with your sound in movies even though it won't be what you're after.

Wow! Thanks for the tip! Much apprecaited! Will try that out for music for sure!

[JAC35]

I've got the lastest build of PowerDVD 7 Ultra 3730a, Vista 32, SB Audigy 2 with Daniel K drivers, and the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive pumping sound to my Logitech Z-5500 using the analog 1/8 mini jack connectors. The sound is great but I have yet to figure out if what I am hearing is lossless sound. I do see the bit meter change in PDVD when I select the different audio options but I'm not sure I hear a difference. Perhaps I will post in that AVS thread and see what they say. Other than that, I will have to do more tests!

[uo7]

Older thread but a new soundcard is on the way..

Do a search for.
Xonar HDAV1.3

[JAC35]

I now have a SB X-FI the sound is amazing! Much better than the Toslink from the HD-A2 IMO. 96-24 lights up on the Z-5500