[linux-audio-dev] surround multimedia SW on Linux

I've had this request on a non-Linux list:

  Can you provide more feedback (about) ... multimedia players capable of
  decoding Dolby AC3, DTS, DVD-Audio, etc. on a Linux machine?
  What about software players running on a CAR-PC and surround-capable?

I know very little about the whole field of multimedia players
for proprietary formats on Linux. Can someone fill in the gaps ?

- which apps are available ?
- are they open-source ?
- what interfaces (ALSA, JACK, OSS, ...) do they have ?
- do they require Windoze emulation ?
- what is their maintenance state ?
- etc.

Many thanks,

-- 
FA
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