[rbrb]

Is DVD-A playback dependant on the software player or the hardware (soundcard)?

I know the Creative Audigy cards will play DVD-A with either their own player or the Cyberlink or Intervideo player.

With a card like a M-Audio Audiophile 24/192 would I be able to play DVD-A discs with a compatible software player?

[Brian T.]

Is DVD-A playback dependant on the software player or the hardware (soundcard)?

I know the Creative Audigy cards will play DVD-A with either their own player or the Cyberlink or Intervideo player.

With a card like a M-Audio Audiophile 24/192 would I be able to play DVD-A discs with a compatible software player?

Well, both really.  To play DVD-As you obviously need suitable software.  Creative advertise that their cards are the only ones that will play DVDs.  This is only true ‘out of the box’ as they are the only ones IIRC that bundle a DVD-A player.  Any card will play 2 channel (stereo) DVD-As with software like WinDVD6.  (Interestingly, InterVideo have removed any mention of DVD-A on their WinDVD7 blurb.  Pressure from the recording industry?)

To get full value from DVD-As such as multi-channel (and why buy them otherwise!) you need a multi-channel soundcard.  I don’t know the M-Audio Audiophile 24/192, but my AudioTrak Prodigy 7.1 LT plays all channels superbly.  It also includes a ‘patch panel’ in software to direct channels to an appropriate music/sound application.  

Hope this helps,

Brian

[CSMR]

I think only creative lets you play in full resolution. There is software that lets you extract dvd-a apparently so you can play it with anything. Not sure if it's technically legal, but I don't think it's in a bad spirit to extract your own discs to your pc.

[Brian T.]

I think only creative lets you play in full resolution. There is software that lets you extract dvd-a apparently so you can play it with anything. Not sure if it's technically legal, but I don't think it's in a bad spirit to extract your own discs to your pc.

Hi CSMR,

Good DVD-A discs have two sets of tracks on them.  The first is 48kHz/24bits with Dolby Digital 5.1 channel encoding whilst the second is stereo at 96kHz/24bit.  Both of these can be played with decent cards like the Prodigy 7.1 LT.  In fact it will do up to 192kHz/24 bit!  Creative’s marketing department would dearly like you think otherwise however!  Have a look at: http://www.audiotrak.co.uk/home_theatre/prodigy71lt/prodigy71lt.htm  

I far as I know, there is no application that will let you ‘rip’ DVD-As like EAC etc.  There was some talk recently of a fairly complicated WinDVD hack but a key component was removed from the web after legal pressure was applied.  See: http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=14550899   Some people believe that they have ripped the full DVD but in fact have only lifted the stereo tracks.

Brian