view doc/NEW_FORMATS @ 4869:f07844bdc43f

Acknowledge contribution by Edward Sheldrake in bug #12.

Since 38449056c293 input plugins can open audio output in their's native format,
without worrying of output plugin's capabilities. Audio stream will be converted to format specified
in prefs win (currently FMT_S16_NE and FMT_S24_NE). Dithering will be applied automatically if
precision loss expected (except FMT_*32_*, on which dithering can cause clipping).

For full list of available formats see plugin.h

Known issues:

1. postproc_flow can deal only with S16_NE streams, so it will be bypassed in 24bit mode, i.e.: no vis, no equalizer, no softvolume.
2. Currently none of output plugins supports 24bit output :)

Possible solution:

1. It's easy to produce S16_NE stream directly from decoder's output special for vis_flow, as far as the latter has no output.
2. Switch equalizer and softvolume (and, in perspective, DSP PAPI) to floating-point. Another solution can cause precision
   loss and avoid dithering. Why floating-point, not fixed? Because:
     1. libsamplerate requires it.
     2. Floating-point is standard for inter-component and inter-process audio exchange (LADSPA, JACK etc.).

Have a look at proposed_pipeline.dia

-- asphyx