Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 3 * S/P-DIF out from PC? -- or HQ 5.1 analogue?

Since I have a G68ADV ADV I at least have the easy possibility to get highres (sort of) audio in from non-Meridian sources by using the analogue inputs. With only digital inputs, it's only the second alternative left - modded DVD-Audio players like those from DVDUpgrades, with 3 * S/P-DIF output matching Meridian.

However, there will be highres audio (with video) sold without HDCP-forcing DRM - so a HTPC with the possibility to output the sound through 3 S/P-DIF's suddenly seems interesting

Does anyone know of such a solution as a card for a PC? I don't need DVDUpgrades high profile SACD decoding (and I don't know if they have such a product). But something that works. Or someone's design for a DIY project

Thanks, but I don't need *a* digital out - I need 3 S/P-DIF. So that I can get digital 5.1 sound (PCM 24/96) into my G68, the same way as from a G98 (but uncompressed/unencrypted), the same way as from a DVDUpgrades rebuilt DVD player.

This for coming 24/96/5.1 lossless 720p WMA...

You won't find one unless it's modified.
There is no market for it, not many systems accept 3*SPDIF input.

I think there has been one card for musicians, from a smaller brand. But such cards are not popular with the music industry...

Well - any good, non-resampling, 24/96 capable card with 5.1 analogue out then...?

I think there is a bunch of cards that do 5.1 and resampling tends not to occur for DVD because it's already 48khz.

OK, but this is 24/96 in Windows Media HD files. Together with 720p video and great multichannel music...

Perhaps most fitting would be an "AUZENTECH HDA X-MERIDIAN 7.1"...

Take a look at this http://www.st-audio.de/products/dsp24.html. It support up to 40 channels via 4 pci carts.

Thanks, I will do that. But a quick check seems to indicate that you'd have to use their proprietary "44pin H-BUS interface connector" and connect it to one of their rackmountable addons from where you eventually can get the 3*SPDIF output.

Seems like it would cost a bit as well.

The Auzentech is very reasonably prised for what it seems to be able to. They have an addon-card for DIN output, hopefully their willing to do a 3*SPDIF addon...

I think there are many cards like the one henrik pointed out. Music industry has tons of them. And cheaper ones. But I don't think you'll find DVD software that knows how to talk to them at 6 channels at a time. These cards have multiple Stereo Channels. You needs a card that takes a 7.1 stream and knows what to do with it. Most of the 5.1 analog cards have the decoder on the board.

It could be done, but it would be illegal softare that would have to do it. Even the folks that write illegal software know their market and know cards like above are not main stream.

Not really illegal, since the source would be DRM-free Windows Media HD-files, and the publisher has nothing against audio being transported digitally in highres to a G68.

So what's needed is a driver between the player SW and the sound card outputs. I believe most PD player SW could play a Windows Media file.

I mistakingly assumed you wanted this for a DVD or Blu-Ray HTPC. What your asking for would be perfectly legal.

I'm not sure how well PD players handle MultiChannel stuff (WMA or otherwise). I had enough problems just getting 2 channels to work well.

Not far-fetched to think that, since there is a thread here about moding HD-DVD players

But no, it's AIX Records who will start distribute some of their DVD-Audio recordings, together with 720p video They're too small as a company for HD-DVD/Blu-ray.