[CLUE-Tech] HP sound card

[Nate Duehr]

James LaRue wrote:

> Apparently, Windows uses some software workaround for the absence of a 
> cable from the sound card to the CD. Hence, the HP Pavilion A520n, 
> bundled with Windows, doesn't have the cable. An interesting note for 
> those buying machines to run Linux.

Windows Media Player (and some other playback software) have the option 
to take the audio digitally off of the CD and then play it via 
software.  Many programs in the Windows world now default to this 
behaviour.  Ultimately this is probably related to future 
copy-protection schemes... the older drives won't be aware of the proper 
way to play the audio, but the software can be updated...

I think it'll be a while before playing the audio from the digital 
format via software is very standard on Linux though... with the crazy 
state of Linux sound being what it is... OSS, ALSA, 
goodness-knows-what-else, four or five different software muxes (esd, 
arts), etc. 

A standard would be nice.  But that's the nice thing about standards, 
there's always another standard to pick from!  (GRIN)

Nate