Open Source, Open Architecture!

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Some parts here are actually interesting ;)

How do we imagine to source what we listen to tomorrow?

From where do we imagine to source it?

If we start in the speaker end, I don’t see anything revolutionary to happen.
(adding 5 extra channels is, to me, evolutionary)

A power amp is a power amp, at least from the outside.

Input could well be all digital, may it be optical, coax, hdmi, usb/wlan/ethernet,

Data could come from Internet (streamed or stored files),
hard disks, NAS devices, CD/DVD players or whatever.

To me sound and picture should all be tied together in the processor.

That's where the intelligence to understand different formats is.
That's where the DAC is.
That's where the buffers are to ensure steady streams.
That's where the display is to show us what we are currently enjoying.
That's where you connect your Ipod to listen your pop music
or your latest book.

Items like the Squeezebox are great, but should (and will)
be part of the processor/preamp setup.

Why should I bother about CD's if I can store the
uncompressed file on a lan disk?

Today it might not sound as good, but there is no technical reason it couldn't.

The biggest threat to CD/DVD makers is not a competitive brand,
it is the risk that people don't need'em at all.
And then we will start buying songs instead of albums.

Renting (and buying) a movie can and will be an online business.

If we look at the number of media boxes emerging,
it is easy to see where the majority is heading.
A harddisk operated as a DVD player. - And we might like it or not.

Ok, end of (that) rambling...

How will this be implemented? HTPC?
Well, maybe, but I think all vendors will have their go at it.

So can this be done by open source? -Yes.
And some already are, i.e. some mediaboxes uses Linux inside and have
been forced(?) to release the source code.

But I don't think a true open source alternative will not emerge until the underlying
hardware for this becomes a standardized commodity.
Today that is a PC, but I do not want to use a keyboard and mouse to listen to music.
(and I just don't want to use a PC for that)

just my 2 cents.
/Erland
 
Great post eleson. You're right about the way it is going.

The issue is who is going to define how it works. It should be we, the informed users. We do have to prostlyetize about about open source.

We should find a starting place.

Pick a software that runs on a separate hardware, and can take third party plug-ins.

Once we have the software to our liking, porting to a new hardware is no big deal.

If we have a software that takes third party plug ins, that is already a defacto standard.

We can ban together and exert leadership in the industry.

It doesn't have to be magic boxes with gimicks and price tags.:D
 
Of course you can get diskless PCs, and big enough flash memory.

But long term it should be something that allows experientation with DACs, to use the very best.

What I think is really needed is an online magazine to promote this, and showcase the best of what is available today.

Then also review new products. Try to exert influence.

And also write some software, and port software, etc.

Try to make it a collaborative effort.

Make a special forum on top of the magazine or blog.
 
A few years back I read in some magazines of various Windows software pieces that were for recording studios. It sounded like there was a standard for audio processing plug ins.

That seems to me like a good place to start. Find out what plugins, according to what standard, people are using.

Its not just switching sources, its also the surround sound decode and dolby and THX processing.
 
As this alledgedly a collaborative effort, what do you plan to contribute other than a few buzz words and wishful thinking? If by now you still do not understand the difference between tools intended for the A/V broadcast and production enviroment and those for recreational playback, then I don't think much of your chances of ever getting this off the ground.
BTW, the devil's avocate and nay-sayer posts have been filled.
 
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