HDAV 1.3 Slim, X-fi Home Theater HD

[prerich]

Well my PC can finally bitstream as I have purchased the HDAV 1.3 Slim soundcard for $149.00. It's an excellent sound card and the lights on my Yamaha now light up (TrueHD and DTS HD MA), but - the sound is not much different (if at all) than coming out of my 9300 motherboard and upsamping via Windows Vista . The sound is incredible both ways so for those of you that must bitstream - I would say the Slim would be the way to go (TMT Only, you also must have PCI slots - the other versions run on the express slots). Also the X-Fi Home Theater is up for preorder on the Auzentech site (PDVD only) - they are also offering a trade-up program for the owners of the X-Meridian and Prelude soundcards http://www.auzentech.com/site/compan...x-fi_homet.php. Full, unmolested, lossless audio in the PC realm is here to stay, in several flavors at that - to include the analog outs of Via 889a chipset onboard soundcards - compatible with both PowerDVD and Arcsoft (that's in another thread). Technology is growing by leaps and bounds - I plan to stay on top of it, and I hope we work together to keep each other informed. Please post any problems, or difficulties with any of these products here.

[DrasticPlastic]

I'll be happy when my video card with HDMI can pass the lossless audio without having to spend upwards of $150 for a separate sound card just to bitstream the lossless audio.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by DrasticPlastic

I'll be happy when my video card with HDMI can pass the lossless audio without having to spend upwards of $150 for a separate sound card just to bitstream the lossless audio.

Have you compaired the sound from your PC against your PS3? Just curious, and do you have your PC in your main HT setup? I have mine there and seriously - the sound from my onboard HDMI is not much different than the Lossless (really if different at all - initially I couldn't tell a difference - after listening a lenght - the difference was really minute if there was a diffence - I need to put a BD in that is mastered at 24bit/<48khz and see if I can hear it). There is one video card that has its PAP solution built in - but needs a software vendor to support its full capabilities - that card is the Chrome 540 card (yes from S3) WinDVD supports the card but not the PAP functionality. When that comes on board it will be a very popular card because its very inexpensive. Also depending on your ability to wait - PAP may come to your HDMI video card anyway. In the mean time - see if you can tell the difference between your PS3 and PC.