Bi-amping support for VLC
Posted: 03 Jul 2006 23:27
Well, for the audiophiles amongst you, the request can completely inferred from the subject.
The short version is:
- I want VLC to output the low-frequency components of the output sound to be sent to 'line out channel 1' and the mid- and high-frequency components of the output sound to 'line out channel 2'. (and do this for all sound channels in the sound stream)
The longer version:
Bi-amping is digitally splitting (cross-filtering) the sound signal into a high-frequency part (with all lows removed) and a low-frequency part (with all highs removed), as early as possible in the audio chain, and then eliminating(removing!) usually inferior analog crossover filters in your speakers, finally directly wiring the speakers onto your amplifiers. (yes, for playing a stereo signal, you will need 2 stereo amplifiers).
The benefits are a little technical, but roughly speaking they are:
- higher overall wattage without having to purchase larger amplifiers
- Better frequency response
- More detailed soundstage
The longest version:
http://sound.westhost.com/bi-amp.htm
Reasons I ask:
- IN THEORY, a lossy audio signal lends itself extremely well to bi-amping since audio is stored in frequency segments. All you have to do (.. I think) is just NOT join the lower and higher frequency areas.
- Digital crossfilters can, in theory, and with enough CPU power (i.e. realtime), be vastly superior to analog ones, especially if you don't first DAconvert the signal
- A lot of audiophiles bi-amp whenever they can. A linux HTPC with two high-end audiocards (or.. dare I dream.. digital out + professional DACs) would make a killer bi-amp system. Id predict almost EVERY audiophile would consider this setup..
- No other media player has this feature! (frankly I think Im the first to think of this, maybe I should patent the idea!)
Thoughts? Comments?
The short version is:
- I want VLC to output the low-frequency components of the output sound to be sent to 'line out channel 1' and the mid- and high-frequency components of the output sound to 'line out channel 2'. (and do this for all sound channels in the sound stream)
The longer version:
Bi-amping is digitally splitting (cross-filtering) the sound signal into a high-frequency part (with all lows removed) and a low-frequency part (with all highs removed), as early as possible in the audio chain, and then eliminating(removing!) usually inferior analog crossover filters in your speakers, finally directly wiring the speakers onto your amplifiers. (yes, for playing a stereo signal, you will need 2 stereo amplifiers).
The benefits are a little technical, but roughly speaking they are:
- higher overall wattage without having to purchase larger amplifiers
- Better frequency response
- More detailed soundstage
The longest version:
http://sound.westhost.com/bi-amp.htm
Reasons I ask:
- IN THEORY, a lossy audio signal lends itself extremely well to bi-amping since audio is stored in frequency segments. All you have to do (.. I think) is just NOT join the lower and higher frequency areas.
- Digital crossfilters can, in theory, and with enough CPU power (i.e. realtime), be vastly superior to analog ones, especially if you don't first DAconvert the signal
- A lot of audiophiles bi-amp whenever they can. A linux HTPC with two high-end audiocards (or.. dare I dream.. digital out + professional DACs) would make a killer bi-amp system. Id predict almost EVERY audiophile would consider this setup..
- No other media player has this feature! (frankly I think Im the first to think of this, maybe I should patent the idea!)
Thoughts? Comments?