Best way to link sound to my amp?

nightrider1470 · 24 Apr 2012 at 18:24

I have a HTPC with a Asus STX + A Nvidia 570

The 570 wont send HD audio tracks from bluerays to my Denon AMP and my STX only seems to have optical of SPDIF out

Is there know way to play these bluerays and listen to HD audio tracks? I am using XBMC as my player

Thanks

Marsman · 24 Apr 2012 at 18:41

Not unless Nvidia release drivers that enable HD audio formats to be passed via HDMI with their cards. Apparently, the hardware is capable.

If your AV receiver has 5.1/7.1 analogue input, then you could use the onboard audio. Not ideal really, as the quality will be worse than what the Denon is capable of. Probably would defeat the purpose really. Trying to get access to HD audio formats, but end up with worse sound quality.

If your AV receiver does have 5.1/7.1 analogue input, then you could swap the Essence for something like a D2X. Depends I guess if you use the Essence for headphone use.

The software will decode the HD audio formats, when using analogue connection. If you'd rather the AV receiver do that, then it's either buy a Radeon, or wait in hope that Nvidia will allow Dolby TrueHD etc, to be passed via HDMI.

nightrider1470 · 24 Apr 2012 at 18:54

Hi thanks fro that!

When I use XBMC I notice on my Deno AMP all these blueray audio tracks display as Muti Channel, am guessing this sint to bad and I am still getting 5.1 sound just maybe compressed a little?

I use headphones for gaming or I would change for the other Asus card

Marsman · 24 Apr 2012 at 19:54

I worded my first post wrongly. That was under the assumption you would be playing the Blu-ray's direct from disc. Using XBMC, I guess you would not be doing that.

If you have ripped the Blu-ray's to your HDD, then my understanding is that XBMC decodes the lossless HD audio tracks and spews them out as LPCM, which is uncompressed digital data.

Can't say that for sure though.