Best OS for HTPC

[grubyhalo]

Thanks for all the links and pointers guys, appreciate it.

 

[Vijay_s]

My latest experiments with Linux distros,

1. I have installed mythubuntu and not satisfied with the sound quality.
status - uninstalled
2. Installed Opensuse and amroak which worked well but sound quality is not par with windows vista + foobar2000, but is better than mythubuntu.
Status - Unistalled as latest wireless card does not work with it unless I recompile the driver with altered code.
3. Installed Ubuntu 9.10, Sound quality is worst again, So removed alsa and installed opensound based on M-Audio recommendation. It worked well but not yielded the expected sound quality in comparison with vista. I find sound quality of banshee player a bit better that the default rythombox bundled with ubuntu 9.10

Status - still working on various options including mixers and players

 

[grubyhalo]

Interesting! I might be giving the Ubuntu a spin soon. Thanks for your impressions!

 

[vivekam]

My latest experiments with Linux distros,

1. I have installed mythubuntu and not satisfied with the sound quality.
status - uninstalled
2. Installed Opensuse and amroak which worked well but sound quality is not par with windows vista + foobar2000, but is better than mythubuntu.
Status - Unistalled as latest wireless card does not work with it unless I recompile the driver with altered code.
3. Installed Ubuntu 9.10, Sound quality is worst again, So removed alsa and installed opensound based on M-Audio recommendation. It worked well but not yielded the expected sound quality in comparison with vista. I find sound quality of banshee player a bit better that the default rythombox bundled with ubuntu 9.10

Status - still working on various options including mixers and players

Try Geexbox
GeeXboX HomePage

 

[Vijay_s]

Try Geexbox
GeeXboX HomePage

I dont think the application resolve this issue. underlying sound architecture of the linux is not that convincing.

 

[gobble]

In case anyone wants to try foobar for linux

Running Foobar in Linux - Hydrogenaudio Forums


cplay is available under debian distros as well.

Cheers

 

[grubyhalo]

Gulp! Looks a tad scary at first glance, might have to take it easy and try it step-by-step. Thanks for link...

 

[thevortex]

Folks the best operating system in Linux that I have come across for music production and reproduction has been Musix. Amazing interface, excellent and versatile functionality and real time kernel optimization for extreme low latency.

It does offer a Live CD as well.

Now about Linux sound - there is no problem with respect to Linux sound. It is certainly not inferior to Vista sound. But the one thing I have experienced time and again is that volume gain is nowhere near as much as Windows - XP or Vista. That is the only problem. So if you have a powerful amplifier which can drive your speakers well, then Linux would be very good.

Also forget different distributions sounding different. It is all about using the right drivers. If the latest ALSA is being used in these distributions the sound quality will not be different. Between Opensound and ALSA I have liked ALSA. And the latest pulseaudio that is being bundled even with popular distributions like Ubuntu is nothing but trouble. At least that is what I have got with my computers.

 

[thevortex]

There are a few other options as far as Linux distributions go - for music and video purposes.

Puredyne, Apodio and ArtistX.

There are other good distributions such as Dynebolic and 64Studio which have not worked for me. The others have all given me very positive experiences.

I have enjoyed sound out of the above mentioned 3 distributions. But the best of them undoubtedly is Musix for the sheer breadth of features offered to the multimedia specialist.

 

[adityavj]

The best site I have seen for tweaking your OS for optimal listening

The Well Tempered Computer

 

[gobble]

But the one thing I have experienced time and again is that volume gain is nowhere near as much as Windows - XP or Vista. That is the only problem. So if you have a powerful amplifier which can drive your speakers well, then Linux would be very good..

Why is this so? Does not the sound card offer 2 volts of signal output and standard gain?

Regards

 

[thevortex]

Why is this so? Does not the sound card offer 2 volts of signal output and standard gain?

Regards

Dont ask me why, Gobble. I just know that this is the case.

 

[sevensins]

How come no one mentioned XBMC ?