[mythtv-users] Known good surround sound cards?

[Michael Carland]

On Jul 2, 2005, at 7:52 PM, Patrick Vaughan wrote:

> It's a Chaintech SKT600's onboard sound.  Another poster said that 
> he's seen onboard audio that uses the other stereo ports to support 
> surround sound.  I had thought that the "external codec" was probably 
> dependant on Windows drivers.  I downloaded the manual and it says 
> "With external high quality 5.1-channel AC’97 Codec", "Complete 
> software driver supports for Windows® OS" and "Optional S/PDIF out 
> function".  And that's ALL it says about it.
>
> Either way, I've never liked onboard sound.  I've always noticed noise 
> from the bus (clicks or static when video, com ports, or hard drives 
> are being used).  Someone else suggested the TurtleBeach Riviera, and 
> I think I'm going to go with one of those.
>
>
>> Sorry, I missed the original post, so you may have already given some
>> of this info.
>>
>> What kind of board is it? If it doesn't have spdif output on the 
>> board,
>> is there a header for it that you could buy a bracket for? Some
>> soundcards do this, put the spdif on a header and sell a connector, 
>> and
>> it would seem odd that they say they support "external codec" and 
>> don't
>> really have a way to support it.
>>
>> -Michael

I found a descriptions of that board at 
http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/detail~dpno~192976.asp

The feature list says what you posted, plus the following:

Audio Subsystem
• With external high quality 5.1-Channel AC'97 Codec
• Complete software driver supports for Windows OS
• Optional SPDIF out function

On board connector for external device
• Optional 3x2 pin SPDIF connector for additional SPDIF-out adaptor

If your board has that header, you would only need the connector, and 
you wouldn't be using the (analog portion) on board audio.

You'd just need to determine if the linux driver supports pass through 
with that audio chip, and what the adapter costs compared to a 
replacement audio card.