The Be FAQs

The Be FAQs
The BeBox

How come the BeBox does not use hardware to do its audio mixing?

The BeBox:
Specifications

FAQ Number:
FAQ-0095

Last Modified:
2/3/98

Keywords:
BeOS, BeBox, Specifications, design, philosophy, sound, audio, hardware, digitize, mix, DAC, channel

We demonstrated that 16 channels mixed in software had no problem on our machine. Remember that the PowerPC 603 is a very fast processor compared to 680x0 family members, and we have two of them. Also do not forget that the BeOS is unencumbered with layer upon layer of software, and unlike the Mac, we are 100% native PowerPC code.

We also support the ability to set priorities of tasks, so it is even possible to effectively dedicate a CPU to a thread (actually, the task may bounce from CPU to CPU). On 66 MHz BeBox, we get 1375 clocks per 44 KHz sample period (on a 133 MHz BeBox, we get twice that!). We can do a lot of processing in 1375 clocks.

Does the sound hardware support hardware mixing?

What standard(s) do the BeBox IR ports follow?

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The Be FAQs

How come the BeBox does not use hardware to do its audio mixing?