HTPC Audio Question. - X-Meridian 7.1 sound card

[vanstone]

HTPC Audio Question.

Ok this may sound like a stupid question but where does the sound come from? What I mean is how and where is the sound handled / decoded on my system?

This is my HTPC sound setup

Pioneer BDC-202 Blu-ray drive using PowerDVD Ultra

Azurentech X-Meridian 7.1 sound card
I started off using both Optical and 7.1 analog out but have since gone solely with the 7.1 analog out.

Onkyo S-790 7.1 system – setup using 7.1 (analog in) on Multi-channel

OK, Cyberlink’s PowerDVD ultra states it supports all of these audio formats..

http://www.cyberlink.com/english/pro...ltra/audio.jsp

DTS-ES Discrete
DTS 96/24
DTS Neo:6
DTS 5.1
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby TrueHD (5.1)
Dolby Digital (5.1)
Dolby Digital EX
Dolby Pro Logic IIx
Dolby Virtual Speaker
Dolby Headphone
MLP Lossless
LPCM audio support
MP3
WAV
AAC decoding
DVD-Audio

Now when I select different audio formats from the Blu-ray movie, PCM, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby TrueHD etc…etc they all play sound with no problem. They all sound very good with PCM sounding the best to me (PCM also has the highest Kb/s at around 4800 avg). Does this mean that the PowerDVD Ultra is decoding the sound?

Also on a side note does anyone know is the Pioneer BDC-202 Blu-ray drive has upgradeable firmware, or if it will be able to read 3 or 4 layer disc's?