HDMI device that can capture (unencrypted) "HD" audio sources?

[jalyst]

oh okay, I thought the co. had it origins/hq in one of the euro countries, escapes me right now.

[jalyst]

@vaporeon800 or anyone,

I don't suppose you could address each of the points in my response (#25 ) to your post?
Sorry to bump so soon, just very restricted for time, thanks if you can help!

All the best.

[Brad]

Perhaps I should clarify regarding the AVerTV. The only format that can be selected in VirtualDub or other DirectShow apps is 48000Hz, stereo, 16-bit. Forcing DD5.1 from my PS3 results in total silence any time a DD source plays. Setting PCM5.1 output and playing the LCPM 5.1 or DD5.1 tracks on Lost Season 3, and I do get audio -- but only 2 channels of it. No center. I think it's left/right fronts. This is true for playback in the AVerMedia software as well (obviously I can't record it using that software, but I can watch/listen).

[EDIT: Come to think of it, what combination of DirectShow filters would you even use to capture multichannel PCM? Regardless, connecting the Audio pin directly to Default DirectSound Device shows nChannels=2]

I don't think the PCM it records is even bit-perfect to begin with, so this really isn't suited to your audiophile purposes. Are you sure what you want for BDs can't be done in software using AnyDVD HD, etc.?

Pointless if all they can do is DD/DTS 5.1, I may as well get one of the sound-cards that can do that!

As I said, I don't know one way or the other whether those foreign cards' PCM support goes any farther than basic 2-channel. Maybe your Asian/Russian site searching is better than mine.

And their capture software only includes decoder setup for the vanilla flavours of those codecs.

Can you clarify what you mean here? Thank-you.

Sorry, what I meant is that the software for the SKYHD card has setup for DD and DTS but no mentions of the HD extensions for those codecs, at least not that I could see from screenshots.

[usually_quiet]

The Hauppauge Colussus is incapable of doing what you want. It is only going to supply 2-channel or 5.1-channel AC3 audio in the H.264 stream via its PCIe interface. That is a limitation imposed by the encoder chip it uses, which is the same as the one used by the USB HD-PVR. ...and its pass-through outputs can only provide 2-channel analog and Dolby/DTS 5.1.

[Edit]It slipped my mind that the encoder chip can also provide AAC audio from a PCM source.

[jalyst]

Perhaps I should clarify regarding the AVerTV. The only format that can be selected in VirtualDub or other DirectShow apps is 48000Hz, stereo, 16-bit. Forcing DD5.1 from my PS3 results in total silence any time a DD source plays. Setting PCM5.1 output and playing the LCPM 5.1 or DD5.1 tracks on Lost Season 3, and I do get audio -- but only 2 channels of it. No center. I think it's left/right fronts. This is true for playback in the AVerMedia software as well (obviously I can't record it using that software, but I can watch/listen).

So I guess what I want to know is...
Is this limitation (48kHz, 2ch PCM, 16-bit) going to be a reality for all HDMI capure cards?
If it's going to remain a reality, WHY!?
Or is it possible that one which can do better than DD/DTS 5.1 is available or will be soon?

If the best I can hope for in a HDMI capture card is DD/DTS 5.1...
Then perhaps I should be looking only at sound-cards w/decent s/pdif-in & devices like the colossus?

[EDIT: Come to think of it, what combination of DirectShow filters would you even use to capture multichannel PCM?

You're referring to the part after the capture device has pulled-in the 8ch LPCM? How do I:
(a) redirect that audio to something that can reprocess it?
(b) is there anything that can actually reprocess it to 2ch simulated surround?
(c) assuming there is & it's successful, how do I redirect that content to my Essence?

I recall that there was/is an FFDShow filter which you can run dd/dts 5.1 through, to turn it into 2ch simulated surround.
But I'm not sure if anything exists that knows how to reprocess any of the HD formats like that.
TBH all this is still very murky to me, I'm not 100% sure if any of it's feasible...
But a hdmi capture card that can do better than 48kHz, 2ch PCM, 16-bit is a good start!

Regardless, connecting the Audio pin directly to Default DirectSound Device shows nChannels=2]

I don't know what that means but I'll take your word for it, LOL.

I don't think the PCM it records is even bit-perfect to begin with, so this really isn't suited to your audiophile purposes. Are you sure what you want for BDs can't be done in software using AnyDVD HD, etc.?

Oh yeah, as explained previously the main reason I want this kind of set-up is for HD audio in games.
They're really the only other source of HD audio (mainly PS3), aside from "some" BD's.

I know in Linux I can have BD playback that's of exactly the same quality through a process of decrypting & transcoding.
I'm not sure if this is also exactly what's necessary in Windows, but I believe a similar sort of thing can be done?
Hopefully this will enable me to use my non PAP compliant Essence ST, to playabck BD content in it's original quality?

Pointless if all they can do is DD/DTS 5.1, I may as well get one of the sound-cards that can do that!

As I said, I don't know one way or the other whether those foreign cards' PCM support goes any farther than basic 2-channel. Maybe your Asian/Russian site searching is better than mine.

The reason I said all they can do is DD/DTS 5.1, is because you said they rely on s/pdif, rather than HDMI-audio.
There's no way they'd be able to do much more than 2ch PCM if that's the case right?
But still, I guess it's a slight improvement over what the Avermedia card does...

Sorry, what I meant is that the software for the SKYHD card has setup for DD and DTS but no mentions of the HD extensions for those codecs, at least not that I could see from screenshots.

Ah I see what you mean now, thanks!

The Hauppauge Colussus is incapable of doing what you want. It is only going to supply 2-channel or 5.1-channel AC3 audio in the H.264 stream via its PCIe interface. That is a limitation imposed by the encoder chip it uses, which is the same as the one used by the USB HD-PVR. ...and its pass-through outputs can only provide 2-channel analog and Dolby/DTS 5.1.
[Edit]It slipped my mind that the encoder chip can also provide AAC audio from a PCM source.

I know it's not going to be able to do what I want.
But so far it sounds like it'll capture better quality audio than any of the HDMI capture cards can, right?!

What I'm not sure about is...
Will I be able to tell this device to capture only, & then leave the DD 5.1 stream so I can run it through a HRTF filter.

Also I'm not sure if it'd be a better option than one of the several sound-cards out there with s/pdif-in.
It may have an input and output clock (unlike sound-cards, but like all AVR's), so desync needn't be an issue at all.
If that's the case, then it's probably a "no brainer"...

[Brad]

You're referring to the part after the capture device has pulled-in the 8ch LPCM?

No, what I mean is I don't know if there is a framework in Windows to even allow multichannel LPCM from a capture device.

The reason I said all they can do is DD/DTS 5.1, is because you said they rely on s/pdif, rather than HDMI-audio.

I said: "Some foreign HDMI cards that have SPDIF allow 5.1 over HDMI". If you search the card I mentioned you'll see that the manufacturer claims DD/DTS for the HDMI input, regardless of the SPDIF input. And what I meant is that in general a card that bothers to add an SPDIF input should allow at least the compressed formats over HDMI as well unless they're lazy in a rather strange manner.

[jalyst]

No, what I mean is I don't know if there is a framework in Windows to even allow multichannel LPCM from a capture device.

There may not be, from a capture device...
But I'm hoping/suspect there's at least some work-around.

I said: "Some foreign HDMI cards that have SPDIF allow 5.1 over HDMI". If you search the card I mentioned you'll see that the manufacturer claims DD/DTS for the HDMI input, regardless of the SPDIF input. And what I meant is that in general a card that bothers to add an SPDIF input should allow at least the compressed formats over HDMI as well unless they're lazy in a rather strange manner.

Ah I see, still, only DD/DTS 5.1, perhaps I should be considering a sound-card or colossus instead?

Thanks vapor, I don't' suppose you could address my other points/qns?
No rush, when you've next got time of course....

[jalyst]

@pandy or others,
Could you please spare a few minutes to help with all the points/qns in my last post that vaporeon missed?
Sorry to bump so soon, just quite strapped for time on all this, thanks if you can.

[pandy]

So I guess what I want to know is...
Is this limitation (48kHz, 2ch PCM, 16-bit) going to be a reality for all HDMI capure cards?
If it's going to remain a reality, WHY!?
Or is it possible that one which can do better than DD/DTS 5.1 is available or will be soon?

Supported formats are limited by HDMI version - AC-3 is supported even by first HDMI, Audio-HD formats are supported by later revisions HDMI - revision 1.3 support all modern codecs. Raw coded stream is encapsulated and transmitted over HDMI - in theory receiver should be capable to extract ANY format and pass to S/PDIF - audio decoder analyse type of stream and take action (decode if codec is suported).
For details i highly advice to check proper standards ie "CEA-861-E" and coresponding HDMI spec "HDMISpecification13a"

If the best I can hope for in a HDMI capture card is DD/DTS 5.1...
Then perhaps I should be looking only at sound-cards w/decent s/pdif-in & devices like the colossus?

not sure on 2 things:
first - speed (bitrate) of the elementary stream - S/PDIF receiver must be able to receive higher bitrates (for DTS-SD it is 1.536Mbps and this is supported by ALL S/PDIF receivers, AC-3 is up to 640kbps + added stuffing which ALSO produce 1.536Mbps stream supported by all S/PDIF receivers - 1.536Mbps is a bitrate of 2 channel, 16 bit, 48 ksps PCM audio and more or less this is ALWAYS supported by S/PDIF)

second - support for non-PCM (ie compressed audio on S/PDIF audio card driver) - in theory in bit-exact mode You can record compressed audio as PCM, 48ksps, 16 bit, 2 channel ie 1.536Mbps.

[EDIT: Come to think of it, what combination of DirectShow filters would you even use to capture multichannel PCM?

You're referring to the part after the capture device has pulled-in the 8ch LPCM? How do I:
(a) redirect that audio to something that can reprocess it?
(b) is there anything that can actually reprocess it to 2ch simulated surround?
(c) assuming there is & it's successful, how do I redirect that content to my Essence?

I recall that there was/is an FFDShow filter which you can run dd/dts 5.1 through, to turn it into 2ch simulated surround.
But I'm not sure if anything exists that knows how to reprocess any of the HD formats like that.
TBH all this is still very murky to me, I'm not 100% sure if any of it's feasible...
But a hdmi capture card that can do better than 48kHz, 2ch PCM, 16-bit is a good start!

Regardless, connecting the Audio pin directly to Default DirectSound Device shows nChannels=2]

I don't know what that means but I'll take your word for it, LOL.

I don't think the PCM it records is even bit-perfect to begin with, so this really isn't suited to your audiophile purposes. Are you sure what you want for BDs can't be done in software using AnyDVD HD, etc.?

Oh yeah, as explained previously the main reason I want this kind of set-up is for HD audio in games.
They're really the only other source of HD audio (mainly PS3), aside from "some" BD's.

I know in Linux I can have BD playback that's of exactly the same quality through a process of decrypting & transcoding.
I'm not sure if this is also exactly what's necessary in Windows, but I believe a similar sort of thing can be done?
Hopefully this will enable me to use my non PAP compliant Essence ST, to playabck BD content in it's original quality?

Pointless if all they can do is DD/DTS 5.1, I may as well get one of the sound-cards that can do that!

As I said, I don't know one way or the other whether those foreign cards' PCM support goes any farther than basic 2-channel. Maybe your Asian/Russian site searching is better than mine.

The reason I said all they can do is DD/DTS 5.1, is because you said they rely on s/pdif, rather than HDMI-audio.
There's no way they'd be able to do much more than 2ch PCM if that's the case right?
But still, I guess it's a slight improvement over what the Avermedia card does...

Sorry, what I meant is that the software for the SKYHD card has setup for DD and DTS but no mentions of the HD extensions for those codecs, at least not that I could see from screenshots.

Ah I see what you mean now, thanks!

The Hauppauge Colussus is incapable of doing what you want. It is only going to supply 2-channel or 5.1-channel AC3 audio in the H.264 stream via its PCIe interface. That is a limitation imposed by the encoder chip it uses, which is the same as the one used by the USB HD-PVR. ...and its pass-through outputs can only provide 2-channel analog and Dolby/DTS 5.1.
[Edit]It slipped my mind that the encoder chip can also provide AAC audio from a PCM source.

I know it's not going to be able to do what I want.
But so far it sounds like it'll capture better quality audio than any of the HDMI capture cards can, right?!

What I'm not sure about is...
Will I be able to tell this device to capture only, & then leave the DD/DTS 5.1 stream so I can run it through a HRTF filter.

Also I'm not sure if it'd be a better option than one of the several sound-cards out there with s/pdif-in.
It may have an input and output clock (unlike sound-cards, but like all AVR's), so desync needn't be an issue at all.
If that's the case, then it's probably a "no brainer"...

So... lot of questions in one but i will try shortly - You need proper: Input filter, Demuxer filter , Decoder filter, Proccessing filter, Encoder filter, Muxer filter, Output filter.
FFDshow is able to Decode AC-3, implement HRTF (convolution), Encode and produce AC-3 valid from S/PDIF point of view ie WITH stuffing but thats all - im affraid that there is no ready to use filter chain that can fullfil Your requirements... sorry.

[jalyst]

Thank-you very much for attempting to clear-up the remaining Qns in post #35.

Supported formats are limited by HDMI version - AC-3 is supported even by first HDMI, Audio-HD formats are supported by later revisions HDMI - revision 1.3 support all modern codecs. Raw coded stream is encapsulated and transmitted over HDMI - in theory receiver should be capable to extract ANY format and pass to S/PDIF - audio decoder analyse type of stream and take action (decode if codec is suported).
For details i highly advice to check proper standards ie "CEA-861-E" and coresponding HDMI spec "HDMISpecification13a"

Your English is hard to follow, but I think you're saying:
There should be a card out there or coming, that can do better than DD/DTS 5.1 & certainly better than 48kHz/2ch PCM/16-bit, so long as it conforms to HDMI 1.3a.
Is that right?

not sure on 2 things:
first - speed (bitrate) of the elementary stream - S/PDIF receiver must be able to receive higher bitrates (for DTS-SD it is 1.536Mbps and this is supported by ALL S/PDIF receivers, AC-3 is up to 640kbps + added stuffing which ALSO produce 1.536Mbps stream supported by all S/PDIF receivers - 1.536Mbps is a bitrate of 2 channel, 16 bit, 48 ksps PCM audio and more or less this is ALWAYS supported by S/PDIF)
second - support for non-PCM (ie compressed audio on S/PDIF audio card driver) - in theory in bit-exact mode You can record compressed audio as PCM, 48ksps, 16 bit, 2 channel ie 1.536Mbps.

Sorry but I don't see how this really addresses the Qns it's directed towards?

So... lot of questions in one but i will try shortly - You need proper: Input filter, Demuxer filter , Decoder filter, Proccessing filter, Encoder filter, Muxer filter, Output filter.
FFDshow is able to Decode AC-3, implement HRTF (convolution), Encode and produce AC-3 valid from S/PDIF point of view ie WITH stuffing but thats all - im affraid that there is no ready to use filter chain that can fullfil Your requirements... sorry.

Could you please try to directly address each point/qn in post #35?
It'll make it much easier to understand what you're trying to say.

Thank-you very much for what you've tried to convey thus far.

[Nelson37]

Just a response to the "theory" about recording compressed audio, it DOES work, you have to capture as 24-bit, there are 2 or 3 cards that can do it. SoundBlaster Audigy is one.

SFAIK, if you feed the card a DD 5.1 stream and output thru standard stereo jacks, what you will get is 2-channel simulated surround sound. However, the input is not a standard audio file and normal filters will not work. I believe most any audio card will do this.

SPDIF input, except for LPCM, is technically a DD-WAV, which is different from a 6-channel WAV, both of which Very Few softwares will process or handle.

Haven't seen anything that will deal with an 8-channel WAV file. Sometime in the near future, maybe.

[pandy]

Thank-you very much for attempting to clear-up the remaining Qns in post #35.

Your English is hard to follow, but I think you're saying:
There should be a card out there or coming, that can do better than DD/DTS 5.1 & certainly better than 48kHz/2ch PCM/16-bit, so long as it conforms to HDMI 1.3a.
Is that right?

Sorry for my English - it is not my native language and it is self learned thus far from decent level.

Multichannel audio (up to 8 channels, up to 192ksps, up to 24 bits) is supported from HDMI 1.1 (audio must be compatible with IEC 60958 or IEC 61937) - if compressed audio type is compatible with IEC 60958 or IEC 61937 then it can be also transmitted by HDMI. So all audio types valid from IEC 60958 or IEC 61937 can be transmited by HDMI and recorded.

This document can be interested for You http://ac3filter.net/files/docs/ac3filter_1_30b/spdif_eng.pdf

And yes, any HDMI 1.3 capture card shall be able to capture all modern codecs (Dolby True HD etc)

Sorry but I don't see how this really addresses the Qns it's directed towards?

OK, it means that card setuped as 48000, 16 bit, 2 channels can record compressed audio AC-3 or DTS (but driver, software, card can think that this is PCM).

Could you please try to directly address each point/qn in post #35?
It'll make it much easier to understand what you're trying to say.

So issue is that i don't see questions... but blame my english for this.

BTW

You search for this http://www.tactlab.com/Products/TCSmkIII/index.html

[Gradius2]

Looks like Colossus only does AC-3 and shouldn't be copy protected, so DTS is not a solution, nor TrueHD and DTS HD either.

[jalyst]

Just a response to the "theory" about recording compressed audio, it DOES work, you have to capture as 24-bit, there are 2 or 3 cards that can do it. SoundBlaster Audigy is one.

I do know of a few, I've got quite a few leads/threads from a year back...
I'd put it on hold until I completed other things & looked at HDMI/HDCP audio capture more.

Do you know of any sound-cards that also do DTS 5.1 via s/pdif-in?
The HD-PVR or Colossus don't

SFAIK, if you feed the card a DD 5.1 stream and output thru standard stereo jacks, what you will get is 2-channel simulated surround sound. However, the input is not a standard audio file and normal filters will not work. I believe most any audio card will do this.

Sounds like you're suggesting using the DH (or similar) already built into the audigy & then getting the audigy to do the final DAC.
Definitely don't want to do that...

Any DD/DTS 5.1 (or better ideally) that I capture, needs to be reidrected to a HRTF filter or Essence software to be remixed to 2ch simulated surround, & than given to my Essence for DAC.

[Nelson37]

Don't recall any sound cards that handle DTS but then I wasn't looking for it, just the AC-3 files. Took long enough to find out how to capture those.

[jalyst]

@vaporeon800
Sorry to bug you only 24hrs later
But could you please address every point/qn in post #35 & #37, even where you're not sure of the answer?
It'll help massively to get everything clear in my head if you can help!

@usually_quiet
Could you please address my questions directed to you in post #35?

@pandy/Nelson37, I'll address your most recent posts ASAP!

Thanks so much everyone for the constructive/helpful input...
This forum is by far the most informative of the one's I've tried!

[Gradius2]

I don't believe Colossus will be able to capture protected AC-3 streams, the only manual online doesn't mention that at all, just make it clear the video part (cannot capture with HDCP on).

http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/manuals/qi-colossus.pdf

Won't do DTS too, and AAC from PCM source is kind useless.

[jalyst]

sorry what question of mine is this addressing? thanks.

[usually_quiet]

@usually_quiet
Could you please address my questions directed to you in post #35?

I couldn't find the answers to your questions in Hauppauges technical specs or the product reviews I know of. The only people who would know if the Colossus HD PVR has drivers capable of providing clocks or something other than a muxed H.264 transport stream or program stream are those that have one and can use something like GraphEdit or GraphStudio to find out for themselves.

[Brad]

I've answered all that I know.

[SHS]

Good news it seem that using Colossus HDMI on dishnetwork and directv work with no HDCP lockdown
There are people on SageTV forum check it out rigth here http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52718 go to page 31

[jalyst]

...

[jalyst]

Sorry for my English - it is not my native language and it is self learned thus far from decent level.

My apologies I did not mean any offence, your English is very good if it's not your 1st language!

Multichannel audio (up to 8 channels, up to 192ksps, up to 24 bits) is supported from HDMI 1.1 (audio must be compatible with IEC 60958 or IEC 61937) - if compressed audio type is compatible with IEC 60958 or IEC 61937 then it can be also transmitted by HDMI. So all audio types valid from IEC 60958 or IEC 61937 can be transmited by HDMI and recorded. This document can be interested for You http://ac3filter.net/files/docs/ac3filter_1_30b/spdif_eng.pdf
And yes, any HDMI 1.3 capture card shall be able to capture all modern codecs (Dolby True HD etc)

Well this all great in theory, but how come there's no damn cards?!?

Sorry but I don't see how this really addresses the Qns it's directed towards?

OK, it means that card setuped as 48000, 16 bit, 2 channels can record compressed audio AC-3 or DTS (but driver, software, card can think that this is PCM).
BTW
You search for this http://www.tactlab.com/Products/TCSmkIII/index.html

Nope, still not understanding you... sorry

So issue is that i don't see questions... but blame my english for this.

My apologies, I will summarise all my questions soon.

@usually_quiet
Could you please address my questions directed to you in post #35?

I couldn't find the answers to your questions in Hauppauges technical specs or the product reviews I know of. The only people who would know if the Colossus HD PVR has drivers capable of providing clocks or something other than a muxed H.264 transport stream or program stream are those that have one and can use something like GraphEdit or GraphStudio to find out for themselves.

I've since determined that the functionality colossus provides, is too limited for what I'm wanting.
Soon I'll list the devices I've found, that come "close" to what I want.

[jalyst]

Oh I'm not arguing it'll be legal, at least according to the the US's DMCA...
But I don't want to circumvent HDCP for illegitimate purposes e.g. copying copyright content.
Here's one example of a card that can capture hdcp sources
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1457132#post1457132

And of course one doesn't need to limit themselves to cards w/a software flaw that allows one to circumvent HDCP.
There are strippers aplenty around now, including ones that supposedly pass "HD" audio via HDMI.
One small problem though, there still isn't bloody anything that can capture that passed "HD" audio!

The only thing I've found so far that comes close is this.
But it's not clear whether it's "HD"* DD/DTS, or just regular 5.1.
I suspect it'll only be 2-ch PCM & hence just regular DD/DTS?
I'm emailing them for more detail....

Also the colossus will supposedly have DTS 5.1 support soon, along with DD 5.1 via HDMI.
It's only 2-ch PCM & of course can't support the "HD" formats I was hoping for, but it's likely to be better supported than the above option.

The only other devices that come kinda close, but I doubt will be usable unless anyone can verify/debunk are:
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/pegasus
Available via USB or PCIe
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/
No PCI/e card option...
http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/pc/mxo2_family/
Still not listed on OEM's site, I've emailed to find out when they'll release, & for more detail
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1491617#post1491617

Not every BD utilises HD audio & it's not for capturing HD audio from BD's anyway, as that can be done "on PC".
It's for capturing HD audio that's sometimes used in PS3 games, and on the rare occasion, Xbox games.
Although for the latter I won't be able to grab HD audio, because Xbox's can only pass DD/DTS 5.1 2ch LPCM externally.

But it's looking increasingly unlikely that a HDMI device that can capture HD audio exists.
So I may have to settle for one of the aforementioned, or one of the soundcards that does the same.

OR...

A multi-ch analogue capture card, but that just gets too complicated don't you reckon?!?
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta44.html
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta66.html
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta1010LT.html

If I go for digital capture....
I'm leaning more towards the colossus, as it can also capture/transcode analogue, which may be handy if DVB-C tuning's unreliable!

*"HD" = DTS-MA & TrueHD 7.1 (& more) HD surround formats

[jalyst]

Further clarified/updated most recent post ^
Tis a shame users can't delete their own posts in this forum, would be mighty handy!

[jalyst]

.....

[jalyst]

.....

[jalyst]

.....

[jalyst]

The only other devices that come kinda close, but I doubt will be usable unless anyone can verify/debunk are:
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/pegasus
Available via USB or PCIe
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/
No PCI/e card option...
http://www.matrox.com/video/en/products/pc/mxo2_family/

I think these 3 can all be ruled-out, because as far as I can tell...
None support reading/capturing any of the incoming DD/DTS formats?
This leaves only the Colossus, CaptureX, MonsterXX, or the Analogue capture cards.
I've asked Skydigital (CaptureX) questions similar to this:

(1) Does the card allow "real-time processing"?

i.e. Many (not all) capture devices allow real-time access to captured data.
That way it can be grabbed & reprocessed/redirected, as the remaining data comes in.

(2) What format is the captured audio data stored once it's dumped locally?

Signs are positive based on their feedback to those questions (they're Koreans).
Although so far I've not had feedback directly from them...
Only reformatted & sent via a retailer here in Australia, who -bizarrely- won't give me their direct addy.
Skydigital only have a web-form on their site, which they won't respond to
I'm trying to work out how to contact them directly, I don't trust the retailer acting as a intermediary.

I'm yet to ask Hauppauge the same set of questions...
I will also formulate a similar set of questions for M-Audio, to see if their analogue cards are suitable.
For the MonsterXX (SKNet) there's absolutely no specs on their product page yet.
So far SKNet has only confirmed it's going into production, they have not answered my other questions
(They're Japanese)

If anyone can think of anything else that needs to be asked, please advise.
If you know how I can get answers to my current questions for MonsterXX & CaputreX, please do tell!
I'm not anticipating any issues in getting feedback from Hauppauge.

[SHS]

(1) Does the card allow "real-time processing"?

i.e. Many (not
all) capture devices allow real-time access to captured data.
That way it can
be grabbed & reprocessed/redirected, as the remaining data comes
in.

What do mean by above, are you ref to realtime software encoding?.

Skydigital CaptureX
Video = RawAVI
Audio = Wave (LPCM 2.0), AC3 DD, DTS 5.1

Hauppauge Colossus, SKNet MonsterXX (If it ever get out and it not going be cheap must a round 45,000/50,000 YEN or round $500 US dollars) and SKNet Monster HD 264 are only few 1080 Hardware H.264 Encoder out there.

Also the colossus will supposedly have DTS 5.1 support soon

Name one Broadcaster support DTS audio on the air way there none.
So how do we get DTS then?, well there only few way to get it DVD Player or Blu-ray Player or Steam that has the embeded DTS audio.

Take time read Dolby vs. DTS Surround Sound
http://www.practical-home-theater-guide.com/dolby-vs-dts.html