Hey folks, just wondering if it's possible to decode SACD/surround tracks in a PC drive with any apps (I've been using VLC as my media player). I know DVD-As also have DD5.1 tracks that are available if your player does not support DVD-A, but I'm just curious if I'd be able to play Dark Side of the Moon on my PC (no HDMI compatible receiver). I have the Logitech X-540 speaker set. Thanks!

Some DVD-ROM, sound card, and software combination can do it for sure.

Hey folks, just wondering if it's possible to decode SACD/surround tracks in a PC drive with any apps (I've been using VLC as my media player). I know DVD-As also have DD5.1 tracks that are available if your player does not support DVD-A, but I'm just curious if I'd be able to play Dark Side of the Moon on my PC (no HDMI compatible receiver). I have the Logitech X-540 speaker set. Thanks!

If it helps at all, I've got a NEC-3550A dvd-writer, and a soundblaster Audigy 2 Value card. Running XP, and I can get whatever software is needed. Thanks for the quick response!

Sorry, your sound card can only support DVD-Audio, not SACD.


If it helps at all, I've got a NEC-3550A dvd-writer, and a soundblaster Audigy 2 Value card. Running XP, and I can get whatever software is needed. Thanks for the quick response!

Wasn't someone saying at one point that Sony refuses to license the DSD technology into a PC drive?

Indeed, as far as I've been able to gather, there is no way to play the SACD portion of your disc on a PC. There seem to be some cards (Audigy 2 and X-fi?) that have DVD-A support, but I've been told that the sound quality doesn't come close to real DVD-A players.

So short answer: no.

you can however hook up analog cables and capture the songs as 5.1 wav's then convert them to dts, etc.

Thanks for the help. This is my first 5.1 set, so DD+ and DTS will be just fine for now. Hoping I can get TrueHD out of my HD-A1 since it's going over analog... I can only dream of The Matrix in TrueHD!

Edit: Another thing I was curious about is whether SACD has older audio tracks like DD or DTS for legacy players, similar to DVD-A having them for non-DVDA players.

Not possible...

Another thing I was curious about is whether SACD has older audio tracks like DD or DTS for legacy players, similar to DVD-A having them for non-DVDA players.Yes. The hybrid CD layer. :D

Wasn't someone saying at one point that Sony refuses to license the DSD technology into a PC drive?

This is correct, as far as I know.

Like Kal said, if you have a hybrid SACD you can play the CD track on a PC.

SACD and DSD Explained

SACD:

SACD is the new release format being developed by Sony and Philips using modern optical disc storage technology. The disc has two data layers. One layer uses the high-density medium found in DVD to hold up to 6 tracks of DSD audio plus text information identifying the disc and its tracks. The second layer is a standard "Red Book" CD layer containing the same program which can be played in any standard CD player.

Old quote, SACD is not so new these days, lets hope it doesn't fade away.