[mythtv-users] Can myth DVD output 7.1 audio?

Michael T. Dean mtdean at thirdcontact.com
Wed Jan 16 02:35:04 UTC 2008


On 01/15/2008 05:40 PM, Seth Daniel wrote:
> On Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 05:34:51PM -0500, Marc Sherman wrote:
>   
>> Seth Daniel wrote:
>>     
>>> 5.1 channel through analog?  I must really be out of it.  When I think
>>> of analog I think of 'stereo' (i.e. red/white RCA jacks).  Assuming I'm
>>> thinking of the right thing I wasn't even aware that you could do
>>> anything other than 2 channel audio with them.  I've simply been using
>>> the coax/optical pass-thru for so long I never even thought twice about
>>> it.
>>>       
>> Most 5.1 sound cards have 2 additional 1/8" output jacks, for the 4
>> extra channels. These can then be connected to the 6 RCA input jacks
>> available on most home theatre amps.
>>     
> I see.  I must admit that I have never seen that on a soundcard.  So is
> there an advantage to analog?  Why would you use it over pass-thru?  Is
> it mostly useful for dealing with older amps?

Mostly useful for people who don't have/use a receiver/amp.  Most
likely, the quality of the D/A in the soundcard is significantly (and
noticeably--for people with better ears than me) lower quality than that
in receivers/amps, so the analog output is unlikely to have any benefits
(other than the "don't need new equipment" one mentioned--yours (new
meaning recent) and mine (new meaning additional)).

Steven Adeff wrote a lot of good info--and changed my opinion on the
benefits of digital output--in the thread at
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/200580#200580 .  I'm
still waiting for my 8-channel PCM output using DisplayPort (now more
desirable than HDMI 1.3+, which I had previously wanted--but I don't
think either is available, yet).

Mike


More information about the mythtv-users mailing list