Re: I/O device with multiple *independent* SPDIF ports?
Re: I/O device with multiple *independent* SPDIF ports?
- Subject: Re: I/O device with multiple *independent* SPDIF ports?
- From: Stephen Davis <email@hidden>
- Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:20:54 -0800
On Jan 21, 2008, at 4:12 AM, Mikael Hakman wrote:
Stephen Davis <email@hidden> wrote:
In an early iteration of the project, I *was* planning on making
it a mixer and allowing multiple inputs to be active
simultaneously. In reality, I only want one additional input to
always be active and that input is the Mac.
Anything coming from inside of Mac can be easily mixed with the
"normal" output. After all, inside is one (or 2 - 3) normal sources
too - music, video, CD/DVD audio/video for example. Also processed
input will come from "inside" because it is the inside that does the
processing.
It's not quite that simple if you want to do any processing of the
mac's output. For example, bass management or speaker time alignment
delays. To do that, you must intercept the audio before it mixes in
at the driver level so I configure the default output to be a virtual
device and then set up that virtual device as one of the inputs to my
processing chain.
This is an interesting idea - to replace all these boxes with a
computer. Currently I'm using active digital speakers and digital
LCD so theoretically I shouldn't need anything else than a Mac with
right interfaces and software. It sounds simple to beginning with
but you realize that it's more complex after you analyze all the
details. To make the whole thing working smoothly and robust with
user friendliness acceptable to average home and/or professional
(not necessarily computer-savvy) user can be difficult. AFAIK nobody
has achieved that yet. Currently, all those HTPC and HTMAC projects
are not at this level yet - too much to setup, adjust, optimize, and
reboot all the time - too much PC, too little HT, IMHO. For some
time ago I started such a project somewhere between hobby/home (for
myself and friends) and proof-of-concept commercial (for audiophiles
and studio people). Maybe it's time to activate it again.
Fortunately for me, I only have to make it work seamlessly with one
remote control setup (the one in my house). As long as hitting an
input button selects all the right bits and mute/volume work
correctly, it just hides in the background out of the way so the
currently horrid UI is unimportant. If it gets in the way of my wife
and kids using the home theater, that'd be bad. ;-)
stephen
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