Will Will DVD-A Work With Any PC-Based 6 Channel Output?

[winterminute]

There are a number of motherboards which support 6 channel discrete output. Is it possible to buy just the software needed to play DVD-A and use these outputs instead of buying one of the Creative cards?

Thanks!

[CCarncross]

It all depends on the motherboard and the software. DVD-A or SACD need a soundcard capable of at least 96/24 3/2.1, if not 192/24 2.0

[winterminute]

Let's assume that I can find a mobo that can handle 96/24, what software can I buy that can read DVD-A discs?

[Sherbona]

There are three software players that I know of capable of playing DVD-As.

1. Creative Mediasource DVD-Audio Player
This is one that comes with the Audigy 2 and higher soundcards from Creative. It is capable of playing the audio content of DVD-As, but does not handle any video content, therefore requires a little knowledge of groups and DVD-A file structure to play desired content (since you can't use the DVD-A's menu system). This player requires the Creative soundcard.

2. WinDVD 5 with add-on pack, and WinDVD 6 Platinum
This player works with any soundcard, but full audio resolution playback requires soundcard capable of 96/24 multichannel and 192/24 2-channel. Also, 'protected content' (i.e., commercial DVD-A discs) are down-res'd to something like 48/24 unless you use the Audigy 2 or higher from Creative. This player can handle both video and audio content, which makes it easier to use IMO than #1 above.

3. PowerDVD 6 Deluxe
I haven't tried this one yet, but this player should work with any soundcard and give you full audio resolution playback assuming the soundcard is capable of 96/24 multichannel and 192/24 2-channel. I've read posts from others that say unlike #s 1 & 2 above, this player does not down-res when playing commercial DVD-A discs even if the soundcard is something other than Audigy 2 or higher from Creative. But some posters were getting weird error messages, so hopefully someone with actual experience can jump in here and share their experience with this player.

[maxrez]

WARNING

The Creative Audigy2 series of sound cards are the only sound cards that can play DVD-A.

You can't find another card or a motherboard that can do this.

[huberc]

Will this soundcard also allow SACD playback? Im going to be building a htpc soon and would absolutely love being able to play sacd's and dvd-a dics on it.

[winterminute]

To my knowlesge, there isn't any computer based SACD player. I think due to Sony being paranoid that once it is in a computer it is only a matter of time before the content protection is hacked.