OK...so tell me what I need!!

[elrod-tom]

I'm thinking you could call this Computer Audio for Dummies, but here we go anyway.

I'm starting to assemble a list of stuff I want/need for my next PC - the "XP Media Edition" version. I'll probably buy a Dell, as we have great pricing (and unbelievable financing) on them. I thought that I'd start acquiring stuff for my current PC, and work up from there.

I know all the stuff about drives and such, but there are a number of other considerations to be sure:

1) I'm thinking I'll probably get some sort of HD monitor, and I'd like to have it networked into both the PC and my cable/DVD player. I'm thinking that dual monitors (I'll probably need a switchbox, as I'd like to have two monitors available for working...I've got it at work now, and it's pretty amazing). Is there a video card that would be particularly good for stuff like this?

2) The audio thing is the most confusing for me. I'm planning to use several external drives as WAV file jukeboxes, and I'm kicking around maybe getting some kind of custom modded card that will connect to the MSB Network (192k upsampling with re-clocking) interface and hooking up to my main audio rig. I need a card with good digital output...I'm not so sure about audio out, or what I need other than that (you'd think I'd know...I know, I suck!). Any thoughts?

3) Are any of the applications that I'm considering in particular need of higher processing speed and/or memory. I'm thinking the former is not so important as the latter (I was thinking 1GB or more memory...that's what I use now). Any thoughts about this?

I've been reading this forum for a while, and (before someone suggests it) I do know how to use the search engine. I'm just very confused about the totality of what's out there. I don't know if I need a really top-drawer audio card, or if a more pedestrian model will do. Maybe I'll stick with the M-Audio Audiophile USB, but that has pots in it...but then again, how much do I want/need audio out really. What are the constraints re) processing speed and available memory? I'm frankly lost...

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[Jazper]

Ok I can't answer all the questions (as I don't know some of the answers) but:

1. Memory wise you can get by with 512mb but a gig is probably a better bet (you won't need 1gig for just music playback)

2. processor power isn't a concern, even the via epia processors have enough grunt for the purpose you're suggesting

3. all graphics cards I know of these days come with two monitor outputs (usually one dvi-d and one triple in line plug - standard monitor out) so all should be capable of driving two monitors or display devices, even if you have to use an adapter for the dvi, as for preferences, for video playback my favorite output devices are the ati radeon based cards.

4. USB hard drives are an option, you could simply get a hard drive caddy and use usb2, which would be an economical way of having external high speed storage.

 

[roadtonowhere08]

Elrod: be a little more specific about what you want hooked up (audio wise) to your computer and where you want to put the finished product. That will have an impact on what is suggested to you.

I am going to take a guess on this based on what you said so far:

Video: Try to find a video card with 2 DVI outputs, that way you can use two flat panels with a digital connection running to them. Very snazzy.

Audio:
The Chaintech that everyone is raving about is supposed to have good optical output. As far as streaming your music over your network, I have no clue.


Get a gig of RAM, it means more than raw CPU power for having a nice fluid computer experence.

 

[Alu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadtonowhere08 Video: Try to find a video card with 2 DVI outputs, that way you can use two flat panels with a digital connection running to them. Very snazzy.

I'd suggest a nice matrox p650 there.

Audiowise: If you have enough funds I'd look into the empaudio one.

 

[lan]

I believe XP Media Center Edition is only sold with Media Center PCs as everything has to be certified to run with it and is thus sold as a package. I do not know how adding things to that computer works as I've never used one. I don't think it's as flexible as using a "normal" computer and WinXP.

>>>1) I'm thinking I'll probably get some sort of HD monitor, and I'd like to have it networked into both the PC and my cable/DVD player.

What do you mean HD? High Definition as in able to watch HDTV? If you want to use it for both your PC and cable/DVD player, then it's good to have a monitor with multiple source inputs so you can select so no external switchbox needed. There are TV oriented LCD screens with DVI, RGB, and video in.

>>>>Is there a video card that would be particularly good for stuff like this?

There are many video cards with dual outputs. If you want 2 LCDs driven digitally then you'll need a video card with dual DVIs. They should works all the same quality wise.

>>>>some kind of custom modded card that will connect to the MSB Network (192k upsampling with re-clocking) interface and hooking up to my main audio rig.

Well you could try modding your AP USB if you find the stock one better than emu 1212m. I recommend you buy a 1212m from place you can return easily to conduct this trial.

>>>>3) Are any of the applications that I'm considering in particular need of higher processing speed and/or memory.

If you only do a few tasks at once, 512MB of memory is enough. As for processingi power, it's a waiting game to encode and stuff. The way I see it, if something take 15 minutes or 20 minutes, it doesn't make a difference because I wont be around waiting for it. On the other hand 15 seconds from 20 seconds is something because I'd be waiting around for it to finish. The most processing intensive for a music jukebox computer is probably the audio encoding and it doesn't really take that long on modern computers. I don't think it's worth it for the fastest computer. You can use your money elsewhere.

>>>how much do I want/need audio out really.

If you have an external DAC, then you don't need the analog outs of the soundcard really. But if you do get an emu 1212m to test the DAC outputs, I recommend just trying the analog outs of the card to compare with the MSBlink.

 

[Jon L]

"I'm kicking around maybe getting some kind of custom modded card that will connect to the MSB Network (192k upsampling with re-clocking) interface and hooking up to my main audio rig."

In theory, MSB should be able to install their MSB network output to a soundcard since they can add it to any CDP/transport, but I would definitely ask them first after you decide on a soundcard to mod. If they can do it, this would be awesome.

USB/spdif converters will work, but most will need some modding to reach full potential.

And why do you want to use .wav files? There's no sound advantage compared to lossless files like Flac, and worst of all, you lose your ID tags going to .wav. You have no idea what a pain this is if you need to convert from .wav to mp3 or Flac later.

About processor power, slow processor is fine for straight 16/44.1 digital without other processing. However, if you start to use 96/192 KHz upsampling, other digital processing, and especially if you hope to later incorporate digital room correction and/or active crossover processing on the PC, you WILL need a lot of processing power. You then will need quiet/fanless PS, cooling gadgets, etc.

 

[Talonz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon L About processor power, slow processor is fine for straight 16/44.1 digital without other processing. However, if you start to use 96/192 KHz upsampling, other digital processing, and especially if you hope to later incorporate digital room correction and/or active crossover processing on the PC, you WILL need a lot of processing power. You then will need quiet/fanless PS, cooling gadgets, etc.

There is no modern processor that cannot handle upsampling or any DSP plug-ins you will want to run if you are using it as an audio box. Since you are purchasing the system from Dell, you really don't have much of an option in terms of stock cooling, though you can replace it later if it's too loud. For future reference, check out the Zalman line, I have one of the 6500 series, and it's a good combination of cool and quiet.