DVD-A Playback on a PC

[mrSHEiK124]

I plan on picking up some DVD-A's soon of my fav albums, and want to know what I need to change in my setup in order to accomodate it

Right now, I'm running off the Soundstorm built into my A7N8X-E, and AFAIK, the only card that supports DVD-A playback is the Audigy2 ZS. Also, with the Soundstorm, I'll still be able to play back the Dolby Digital encoded 5.1 tracks on the DVD-A, correct? I'm pretty sure the speakers can stay (Logitech Z-5500) as they should have no effect on decoding the DVD-A, that needs to be done in the PC, right?

 

[PurdueRy]

Your right for the most part. DVD-A need ANALOG connections though. Unless you just want to play the 5.1 encoded track but then you will be losing the quality that is afforded to you by DVD-A.You can use a DVD player that supports DVD-A too, you don't need to use a computer. To do it form the computer you will need a capable sound card, i.e. Audigy2 ZS and maybe the 7.1 revolution, and will have to have you speakers hooked up via the analog connections.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

I don't think the Revo does DVD-A.

 

[PurdueRy]

yeah it was just a guess. The Turtle Beach 6-Channel "Santa-Cruz" definitely does though, otherwise it appears you are limited to creative products.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

So far I've only found 2 or 3 sites selling DVD-A, will I have better luck checking a store like Sam Goody?

 

[PurdueRy]

Amazon does, I know that. It just really hasn't taken off. Other than that its really a hit and miss type scenario. I think amazon is the best I have seen though

 

[boborich]

No multi-channel digital out when play DVD-A on any consumer sound card.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: boborich
No multi-channel digital out when play DVD-A on any consumer sound card.

So I'll need to run the 3-mini jacks for analog out, correct?

 

[PurdueRy]

Thats what I said. You have to use ANALOG to play DVD-A. There is no way around it(at least on computers)

 

[boborich]

Originally posted by: sheik124

Originally posted by: boborich
No multi-channel digital out when play DVD-A on any consumer sound card.

So I'll need to run the 3-mini jacks for analog out, correct?

Yes, unless your sound card can do real time AC3/DTS encoder which will harm to the quality of the DVD-A. And some pro sound card can do a adat digital out to output multi-channel digital signal, but there is no consumer decoder can do that. So you have to stick with the analog output if you want to play DVD-A....... It is too bad....

 

[darkswordsman17]

Yep.

Also, unless you like classical music and jazz, I think you'll be pretty disappointed with your options for DVD-A albums.

I really wish more bands would take the time to lay down a good original track (say in DD5.1/DTS) and then release both DVD-A and CD albums (the CD one being downmixed/compressed or whatever to fit on the disc).

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Yep.

Also, unless you like classical music and jazz, I think you'll be pretty disappointed with your options for DVD-A albums.

I really wish more bands would take the time to lay down a good original track (say in DD5.1/DTS) and then release both DVD-A and CD albums (the CD one being downmixed/compressed or whatever to fit on the disc).

Nonsense, most albums I want can be found on Dual-Disc (1 side DVD-A, other side CDDA), like Crossfade "Crossfade" and then one of the Linkin Park albums I wanted is on DVD-A as well.

 

[NightCrawler]

I'd wait for Audiophile recordings on BluRay or HD-DVD, imagine 6 channels of 24/96 or 24/192...that will be worthwhile.

 

[CSMR]

That's hilarious; DVD-A on an Audigy 2!

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: CSMR
That's hilarious; DVD-A on an Audigy 2!

Umm, ok?

sheik, you'll have to let me in on where you're finding these, as I've found barely anything modern on DVD-A.

 

[SRGilbert]

Originally posted by: sheik124

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Yep.

Also, unless you like classical music and jazz, I think you'll be pretty disappointed with your options for DVD-A albums.

I really wish more bands would take the time to lay down a good original track (say in DD5.1/DTS) and then release both DVD-A and CD albums (the CD one being downmixed/compressed or whatever to fit on the disc).

Nonsense, most albums I want can be found on Dual-Disc (1 side DVD-A, other side CDDA), like Crossfade "Crossfade" and then one of the Linkin Park albums I wanted is on DVD-A as well.

Just wanted to make sure we are all talking about the same thing, DUALDISC disc are not the same as DVD-A, they are a different format entirely, more akin to a Dolby Digital or DTS disk. As far as I know, they can't play the same hi-res that DVD-A can.

He is right though, DVD-A is very quickly losing ground to it's only real competition SACD (Super Audio CD), which is unfortunate since I got on the DVD-A bandwagon pretty early on!

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: CSMR
That's hilarious; DVD-A on an Audigy 2!

?



The only reason many cards cannot play DVD-Audio is simply because of copy protection. M-Audio cards have the capability to play 192/24, but its the security/apps that matter in this case.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: SRGilbert

Originally posted by: sheik124

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Yep.

Also, unless you like classical music and jazz, I think you'll be pretty disappointed with your options for DVD-A albums.

I really wish more bands would take the time to lay down a good original track (say in DD5.1/DTS) and then release both DVD-A and CD albums (the CD one being downmixed/compressed or whatever to fit on the disc).

Nonsense, most albums I want can be found on Dual-Disc (1 side DVD-A, other side CDDA), like Crossfade "Crossfade" and then one of the Linkin Park albums I wanted is on DVD-A as well.

Just wanted to make sure we are all talking about the same thing, DUALDISC disc are not the same as DVD-A, they are a different format entirely, more akin to a Dolby Digital or DTS disk. As far as I know, they can't play the same hi-res that DVD-A can.

He is right though, DVD-A is very quickly losing ground to it's only real competition SACD (Super Audio CD), which is unfortunate since I got on the DVD-A bandwagon pretty early on!

Actually, SOME (note, some) DualDiscs have CDDA on one side and DVD-A on the other, some just have Dolby or DTS tracks on the other. Anyways, someone asked where I was finding these, circuitcity.com, Amazon, Worst Buy, and any of the places in the mall like Sam Goody

EDIT: Straight from dualdisc.com

What Is On A DualDisc?

One side is the full-length CD audio album. The other side offers DVD content. This may include enhanced album audio, 5.1 surround sound, music videos, artist interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, documentary films, photo galleries, lyrics, computer-ready digital song files, and Web links. It all depends on the artist.

I guess its up to the label/artist what goes where

EDIT2: Pretty much all of Sony/BMG's albums have DVD-A content on them, read:

CROSSFADE
Crossfade

CD AUDIO SIDE:
- Entire album, featuring "Cold," the #1 Rock Song of 2004

DVD SIDE:
- Entire album in 5.1 Surround Sound and enhanced LPCM Stereo (looks like DVD-A to me)

- In-depth Interviews with band members

- Acoustic performances, including "Cold," "So Far Away," and "Colors"

 

[darkswordsman17]

Yeah, I hadn't been up on the music scene lately, and found quite a few of the dual-discs that you were talking about.

I'm not quite sure that its DVD-A though. Its definitely a surround track, and probably better quality, but I don't know if its up to DVD-A. Especially since theres video and other things on that side as well. Maybe I'll check one out and see if it sounds as good.

While the support is getting better, its still pretty lackluster, IMO.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Yeah, I hadn't been up on the music scene lately, and found quite a few of the dual-discs that you were talking about.

I'm not quite sure that its DVD-A though. Its definitely a surround track, and probably better quality, but I don't know if its up to DVD-A. Especially since theres video and other things on that side as well. Maybe I'll check one out and see if it sounds as good.

While the support is getting better, its still pretty lackluster, IMO.

I'm getting a dual-disc soon (crossfade one, duh) and I'm guessing that the DVD side of a dual disc, can have anything that would go on a DVD, I guess the only way to test is for someone with an Audigy2 to load up the Creative player (or someone with a DVD-A player) and tell us what happens. I'm guessing Enhanced Stereo LPCM means 24bit/192khz.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Is there a problem in using an Audigy 2 ZS and Soundstorm at the same time? Is it possible to switch back and forth between them?

W00T 600TH POST

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: sheik124
Is there a problem in using an Audigy 2 ZS and Soundstorm at the same time? Is it possible to switch back and forth between them?

W00T 600TH POST

 

[beatle]

You can use two soundcards, yes. I've not used them at the same time, but I think it's possible.

rleemhui, got a link to a site that shows you can play DVD-A on a TBSC? It doesn't even support 24/96 (20/48 is as good as it gets according to the spec page).

According to Creative's site, you should be able to play DVD-A on the Audigy 2ZS and Audigy 2 value cards.

Most, if not all Sony music titles will NOT be available on DVD-A because Sony has their own high-def audio format, SACD. I've wanted to buy Norah Jones's 1st album on DVD-A, but thanks to the format war, it's not available.

Metallica's black album and Eagles - Hotel California are good DVD-A choices. I really like the Eagles' Hell Freezes Over DTS though. It'll blow your mind!

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: beatle
You can use two soundcards, yes. I've not used them at the same time, but I think it's possible.

rleemhui, got a link to a site that shows you can play DVD-A on a TBSC? It doesn't even support 24/96 (20/48 is as good as it gets according to the spec page).

According to Creative's site, you should be able to play DVD-A on the Audigy 2ZS and Audigy 2 value cards.

Most, if not all Sony music titles will NOT be available on DVD-A because Sony has their own high-def audio format, SACD. I've wanted to buy Norah Jones's 1st album on DVD-A, but thanks to the format war, it's not available.

Metallica's black album and Eagles - Hotel California are good DVD-A choices. I really like the Eagles' Hell Freezes Over DTS though. It'll blow your mind!

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-118-102&depa=1

I would agree with you though that there site says nothing about support for DVD-A. All it says is can play multichannel music. Thats pretty vague.

Guess I'd have to search through reviews to find out.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Anything wrong with getting an Audigy2ZS OEM vs. the retail box, or even the Audigy2 Value. I don't really need that Tomb Raider game, and I hate Tom Clancy games anways