Hi,

(this question is actually for software developers, but I think that this is the best place on HA to post it)

Is it possible to determine
- number and types of external connectors of a sound card
- externally connected hardware to a sound card (I suppose this is not possible)
- additional capabilities/features of sound card (ie. internal sample rate conversion, DTS decoding)

In particular, is it possible to determine this on most used soundcards (Creative,integrated AC97...)?

Thanx

Since many audio programs list all inputs and outputs in their device selection dialogue, it is obviously possible to know what they are. This information almost certainly comes from the soundcard's driver.

I doubt that sample rate conversion can be directly determined. Creative has certainly made an effort to hide it from the users as much as possible. In a certain sense this is not part of the soundcard proper. It is a DSP function, done prior to the output stage. I'm not sure how the DSP is programmed, but probably some form of firmware. Some other DSP capabilities, such as midi to audio conversion, also shows up on the device setting page of audio programs.

Movie playing software seems to have some capabilities for detecting extended functions such as DTS decoding. Examination of them when presented with actual sources might give some clues.

It seems that UAA (Universal Audio Architecture) in Windows Vista can do most of the things that I need (even determine what is connected to an external jack).
I wonder if Creative will create sound cards which will be UAA compatible. For now I can not find anything connecting UAA and Creative sound cards.