Greetings my brothers in arms! Here's today's question(s):
I'm trying to dispel a few of the myths/burning questions I've had in the past week whilst building my HTPC. So I'll start with some links to the foundations I used for it. I wanted to build a HTPC so I had modular upgradability to whichever HD-DVD format prevails, since the industry cant ****ing decide already! I'm also using it for a MMORPG I'm violently addicted to.
MSI AM-2 Barebone thingy
For now I've thrown in a DVD-RW drive until a winner is declared in the format war. I purchased the cheapie Olevia 32" 1080i panel from Newegg; sadly, it doesn't have DVI, however, it has VGA and HDMI. For now I will run the integrated video until I can find a suitable PCIe card with HDMI out and HDCP support.
On to the questions:
1) I have tried to retain all sources in digital format (to save thousands on having to buy quality analogue interconnects and devices) until it hits my DAC/Amps. At least, I think this works... A digital signal is a digital signal right? So, the physical act of decoding the 0s and 1s from the disc, and moving them across the pipe to my reciever should be a lossless operation no matter what sound card I'm using? I understand people buy expensive soundcards with good reason, but I'd like to know why.. if the AC97 chipset on that barebone I bought supports digital audio transport, what difference does it make? Does it have to do with decoding the surround information off the disc? All I really need is basic 5.1 support...
2) Quality loss with DVI>HDMI:
Simple question, if I use a DVI>HDMI cable (as the olevia doesn't support DVI in) is there a loss of quality? Again, it SHOULD be an all-digital signal from what I understand... The audio is being routed via optical out to the reciever anyway, I don't care about HDMI audio.
3) HDCP unsupported with DVD>HDMI:
Again, Will having DVD>HDMI adaptor ruin HDCP support at the video card?
4) Superiority of 'media centers':
Of course I'm thankful for the insight provided by some of the manuf's of premade HTPC on the forum. However, I personally have little to gain from the premade solution, as I do require some gaming support, and am on a tighter budget. That said, is there really any gain from the purpose built boxes compared to mine? Keep in mind all I need is the ability to send to the HDTV with at least 1280x768 and 5.1 surround decoding.
5) Suggestions for HDMI/HDCP video card with some chutzpa!
The final battle is this: Is there a 'gold standard' currently for HDMI supporting PCIe cards for HTPC? Hell, is there one that we can verify WORKS with HDMI properly and a standard 1080i HDTV? Ive found a few that are questionable, and a few that are powered by chipsets which may as well be hamster wheels. Surely there's an 'Oppo' of the vidcard world!
Thank you my fine bretheren!
-maytag
-Edit: I lied, its the realtek HD Audio ALC-880 chipset. Whoops! Who cares, it has optical out.