1. One of the best sources of information I know of is the "PC Audio" forum of A'gon (just a click or two away). There is much more information and discussion related to your questions there than on the "Digital" forum of Agon.
2. It's my understanding that because of interference generated inside the computer, internal sound cards (even those with SPDIF outputs) are the worst option for getting PCM out of the computer. The best option is to get the PCM out using USB. Some people use USB DACs which put out analogue. Other people use USB converters which put out SPDIF. I am in that camp. I use a USB converter which delivers digital or optical output to my stand alone DAC which in turn is hooked to my pre-amp. But I have also hooked the USB converter to the digital inputs of my AV Receiver and gotten very good sound.
3. IMO if you are going to spend a couple of hundred dollars to deliver good PCM data to your Receiver you should buy a good USB converter rather than an internal sound card.
Like you, Im keeping my stand alone DVD player a while longer. IMO there are no killer aps out there that justify converting my computer to a Home Theater PC. I do have one system that combines audio and video. But in that system I send video from the DVD to the LCD and send audio from the DVD to the receiver.
But before you spend any money check out the PC Audio forum on Audiogon.
JPO
2. It's my understanding that because of interference generated inside the computer, internal sound cards (even those with SPDIF outputs) are the worst option for getting PCM out of the computer. The best option is to get the PCM out using USB. Some people use USB DACs which put out analogue. Other people use USB converters which put out SPDIF. I am in that camp. I use a USB converter which delivers digital or optical output to my stand alone DAC which in turn is hooked to my pre-amp. But I have also hooked the USB converter to the digital inputs of my AV Receiver and gotten very good sound.
3. IMO if you are going to spend a couple of hundred dollars to deliver good PCM data to your Receiver you should buy a good USB converter rather than an internal sound card.
Like you, Im keeping my stand alone DVD player a while longer. IMO there are no killer aps out there that justify converting my computer to a Home Theater PC. I do have one system that combines audio and video. But in that system I send video from the DVD to the LCD and send audio from the DVD to the receiver.
But before you spend any money check out the PC Audio forum on Audiogon.
JPO