2010-11-13, 21:29
Looking for better understanding and some guidance ...
For a few months I've been researching and asking questions regarding building an HTPC. Recently, I decided to turn my attention to something prebuilt that I can stream my bluray and dvd rips to.
I've been looking at purchasing the Shuttle XS35GT. However, I'm confused as to how nettops handle HD audio. For example, all of my bluray rips contain only one audio stream. It's the English Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD stream. It's my understanding that most nettops can't do HD audio bit-streaming. So how would a nettop like the Shuttle handle the audio in my bluray rips? Downcovert them? I have a 5.1 system, would I still have 5.1 sound? Is there a noticeable difference in sound quality when compared to something that can bitstream? I do understand that is going to be somewhat subjective but just curious on opinions.
If the HD audio question isn't a concern, is the Shuttle a good device to purchase? I'd purchase a SSD and install Windows (most likely) and would be streaming a lot of 1080p content (m2ts), mkv and mp3.
Any advice and input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
j
For a few months I've been researching and asking questions regarding building an HTPC. Recently, I decided to turn my attention to something prebuilt that I can stream my bluray and dvd rips to.
I've been looking at purchasing the Shuttle XS35GT. However, I'm confused as to how nettops handle HD audio. For example, all of my bluray rips contain only one audio stream. It's the English Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD stream. It's my understanding that most nettops can't do HD audio bit-streaming. So how would a nettop like the Shuttle handle the audio in my bluray rips? Downcovert them? I have a 5.1 system, would I still have 5.1 sound? Is there a noticeable difference in sound quality when compared to something that can bitstream? I do understand that is going to be somewhat subjective but just curious on opinions.
If the HD audio question isn't a concern, is the Shuttle a good device to purchase? I'd purchase a SSD and install Windows (most likely) and would be streaming a lot of 1080p content (m2ts), mkv and mp3.
Any advice and input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
j