C H A P T E R  16

Digital Audio

Today’s PC is a multimedia powerhouse, and it’s hard to come across a home computer that doesn’t have at least a pair of speakers attached. Some people take this to extremes and have surround-sound speakers on their computers, as well as large widescreen monitors for crystal-clear, high-definition video playback.

The stability of Linux makes Ubuntu a rock-solid general-purpose multimedia system, Audio and video playback software is installed by default, with nearly 300 additional programs for production and consumption of digital media available for free in the Sound & Video section of the Ubuntu Software Center.

In this chapter, you’ll learn how to listen to your existing MP3s and CDs on your Ubuntu system, and how to explore a world of new sounds via streaming audio, podcasts, and music stores. In the next chapter, you’ll learn how to manage video playback.