> this isnt what computers should be about.
Rubbish. All audio/video is going digital.
Computers are the logical choice!
> If you want to watch DVD's, a computer screen
> isnt what you should view them with.
True, but a PC can be used to drive a projector,
a SDTV, a HDTV, even a regular TV via s-video.
Home Theatre PCs are producing *the best* video
signals available, and for a hell of a lot cheaper
than highend scalers/doublers etc.
> If you want to listen to music, no sound card
> in the world can match a proper hi-fi system.
Rubbish. 24bit 96kHz `audiophile' grade cards
have been out for a while now, and they kick the
pants off most HiFi DACs, as well as being able
to pass pure 16bit 44.1kHz, 24bit 44.1kHz, 24bit
48kHz, 24bit 96kHz...
> they will not turn to computers like these for
> the solution.
A digital HiFi/Home Theatre is basically an
embedded computer. Think about it.
--
niall@holbytla.org
1) You want progressive. If you can't afford a
DTV, try a Loewe TV with a VGA module
(720x480@60Hz) or a projector (preferably
9" CRT that can display 1920x1080)
2) Build a Linux based Home Theatre PC for CD,
MP3 and DVD-Video output. Use a GeForce based
card (MX is fine), 64M+ RAM, EnvyDSP based
Midiman Delta Dio 24bit 96kHz soundcard
(www.digitalconnection.com) for native 44.1kHz
CD and DTS CD output, and Dolby Digital/DTS
48kHz output. The VGA output can be used as
is, or with a VGA->component converter if
required.
3) Buy yourself a decent Dolby Digital/DTS
capable receiver - Denon are my personal pick.
4) Don't skimp on the speakers - get 5 speakers
that are designed to work together in a 5.1
system, and at least a 10" active sub. I'd
spend far more on the speakers than the
receiver.
5) Start using and helping out with LiViD.
I've been planning a Debian GNU/Linux based
HTPC distribution (linuxhtpc.holbytla.org) for
a while and almost have the hardware to start
testing. If anyone is interested in helping out
please email me. The aim is an embedded Linux
based HTPC appliance for CD, MP3, DVD-Video and
eventually DVD-Audio, backup/encoding etc.
Oh and I should stress that software based solutions are only really appropriate for progressive displays - RGB monitors and projectors or progressive DTV with an RGBHV->component converter. Watching DVDs upsampled to 1920x1080p at 120Hz on a big fucking screen is awesome:-)
If you want to output to an interlaced TV stick with a hardware decoder card with s-video output.
Basically the hardware to go for at the moment is either an SBLive Value with digital out or a 24bit 96kHz audio card (such as Delta Dio 2496) and the Geforce2 Ultra. Some of the GeForce cards are able to handle HD material with their HVDP chipset, but NVidia admitted that some 1080i material wasn't performing too well and hence the Ultra.
The SBLive has a problem though - the digital out is not a true SP/DIF output and so has nothing in the way of voltage constraints. It is possible to damage an expensive receiver.
The Delta Dio 2496 (aka DCPro2496 at Digital Connection) provided both coaxial and optical inputs and outputs and RCA analogue outs. This is the one to go for, but I haven't been able to confirm the functionality of the current Alsa drivers, let alone save enough for the card yet.
Both audio cards can output Dolby Digital and DTS, but native 44.1kHz audio can only be handled by the Dio - the SBLive upsamples everything to 48kHz and hence introduces all sorts of jitter and artifact problems.
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> this isnt what computers should be about. Rubbish. All audio/video is going digital. Computers are the logical choice! > If you want to watch DVD's, a computer screen > isnt what you should view them with. True, but a PC can be used to drive a projector, a SDTV, a HDTV, even a regular TV via s-video. Home Theatre PCs are producing *the best* video signals available, and for a hell of a lot cheaper than highend scalers/doublers etc. > If you want to listen to music, no sound card > in the world can match a proper hi-fi system. Rubbish. 24bit 96kHz `audiophile' grade cards have been out for a while now, and they kick the pants off most HiFi DACs, as well as being able to pass pure 16bit 44.1kHz, 24bit 44.1kHz, 24bit 48kHz, 24bit 96kHz... > they will not turn to computers like these for > the solution. A digital HiFi/Home Theatre is basically an embedded computer. Think about it. -- niall@holbytla.org
1) You want progressive. If you can't afford a
DTV, try a Loewe TV with a VGA module
(720x480@60Hz) or a projector (preferably
9" CRT that can display 1920x1080)
2) Build a Linux based Home Theatre PC for CD,
MP3 and DVD-Video output. Use a GeForce based
card (MX is fine), 64M+ RAM, EnvyDSP based
Midiman Delta Dio 24bit 96kHz soundcard
(www.digitalconnection.com) for native 44.1kHz
CD and DTS CD output, and Dolby Digital/DTS
48kHz output. The VGA output can be used as
is, or with a VGA->component converter if
required.
3) Buy yourself a decent Dolby Digital/DTS
capable receiver - Denon are my personal pick.
4) Don't skimp on the speakers - get 5 speakers
that are designed to work together in a 5.1
system, and at least a 10" active sub. I'd
spend far more on the speakers than the
receiver.
5) Start using and helping out with LiViD.
I've been planning a Debian GNU/Linux based
HTPC distribution (linuxhtpc.holbytla.org) for
a while and almost have the hardware to start
testing. If anyone is interested in helping out
please email me. The aim is an embedded Linux
based HTPC appliance for CD, MP3, DVD-Video and
eventually DVD-Audio, backup/encoding etc.
--
niall@holbytla.org
Oh and I should stress that software based solutions are only really appropriate for progressive displays - RGB monitors and projectors or progressive DTV with an RGBHV->component converter. Watching DVDs upsampled to 1920x1080p at 120Hz on a big fucking screen is awesome :-)
If you want to output to an interlaced TV stick with a hardware decoder card with s-video output.
--
niall@holbytla.org
I'm just about to start work on LinuxHTPC - a Debian GNU/Linux based Home Theatre PC distribution.
Probably the best source of information is the AVScience HTPC forum:
Basically the hardware to go for at the moment is either an SBLive Value with digital out or a 24bit 96kHz audio card (such as Delta Dio 2496) and the Geforce2 Ultra. Some of the GeForce cards are able to handle HD material with their HVDP chipset, but NVidia admitted that some 1080i material wasn't performing too well and hence the Ultra.
The SBLive has a problem though - the digital out is not a true SP/DIF output and so has nothing in the way of voltage constraints. It is possible to damage an expensive receiver.
The Delta Dio 2496 (aka DCPro2496 at Digital Connection) provided both coaxial and optical inputs and outputs and RCA analogue outs. This is the one to go for, but I haven't been able to confirm the functionality of the current Alsa drivers, let alone save enough for the card yet.
Both audio cards can output Dolby Digital and DTS, but native 44.1kHz audio can only be handled by the Dio - the SBLive upsamples everything to 48kHz and hence introduces all sorts of jitter and artifact problems.
--
niall@holbytla.org