[mythtv-users] Mythtv and AC3 - Recommended Optical Audio PCI Card?

Rod Smith mythtv at rodsbooks.com
Sun Jan 28 05:22:26 UTC 2007


On Saturday 27 January 2007 22:27, Rich West wrote:
> I'm looking to add AC3 audio output capability to one of my MythTV FE's
> and feed the AC3 audio to my receiver.  This is the last hurdle that is
> preventing me from pulling the standalone DVD player out of my
> entertainment center (besides, I am completely tired of having to
> replace them every 6-8 months because we literally wear it out).
>
> I realize 5.1 AC3 audio out from a Linux box is a little bit of a black
> art, but I'd like to start with a audio card that is actually supported
> under linux.  I just don't know where to start...  Ideas/Suggestions are
> more than welcome!

What sort of existing motherboard and/or sound card do you have? It's possible 
you could get appropriate output just by adding a cable to a header on your 
motherboard or sound card. That's how mine is working, using a Biostar PT880 
Pro-A7C motherboard's built-in sound. Try scanning your manual for mention of 
an "SPDIF header" (slashes or dashes sometimes appear in "SPDIF", usually 
after "S"). The tricky part is finding an appropriate cable and bracket. I 
know of two sources:

http://www.vidabox.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=9
http://www.atacom.com/program/print_html_new.cgi?cart_id=1095275_72_195_150_167&Item_code=MBAC_ASUS_P4_X1&USER_ID=www

You could also wire up your own cable, at least for an RCA coaxial output. I 
doubt if the parts would be too hard to find.

I'm using the snd_via82xx ALSA driver in the 2.6.19.1 Linux kernel and it 
works fine. (After mucking about for too long with alsamixer to figure out 
what had to be muted and what had to be unmuted!) Of course, you might use a 
different driver; this one works with most VIA-based motherboards.

-- 
Rod Smith
http://www.rodsbooks.com


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