As far as i can tell, it does NOT do DD encoding.
DD/DTS passthrough is the best you will get.
This also cause problems with playing back WMV-HD files, as they are not DD but WMV 5.1.
I am going to look into installing "AC3" software DD encoding.
All windows sounds are passed in stereo via the SPDIF connection.
While on the subject of SPDIF, the rear connection is coaxial only.(ie not optical)
This was fine for me, as i only had a coaxial spare.(until i moved the 360)
You can use one of the rear jacks for optical "IN", but they have removed the optical "out" (via the adjoining jack) feature.(not sure why)
I have found no good use for the Intel "ViiV" function.
It's "Away" mode just turns the VGA and Sound off.
The Fans and VFD display stay on, meaing you may as well leave it on anyway.
The (S3) suspend mode is better, as it enters it via the standby button on the remote, and the system completely shuts down as such.
You do have to resume via the front power button, as the IR won't wake it.
But it only takes a couple of seconds to have windows back up.
It will wake from mouse and keyboard, but only from plugged in ones.(i use the Microsoft MCE IR keyboard/mouse so same as remote)
When in standby, the IR LED does still flash with remote commands.
So there may be a way of getting it to resume on remote.
I've not figured how to access the VFD feature yet, and the Aopen online manual was next to useless!
Overall, it has been very good.
But i will be contacting Aopen asking about some of the above mentioned quirks.
