Mastering HD PC Audio, Part 1

[alganonim]

Great tutorial, but if I'm right, real analog 7.1 from PC doesn't exist. Don't believe in magical PowerDVD capabilities, maybe v8.0 corrects this but 7.3 just decodes all High Def Audio formats when using analog connection to 5.1, Rear channels are dead. Check it out for yourself playing BD 2007 DTS-HD Master Audio Presentation Disk or Dolby - The Sound of High Definition HD DVD. So - analog is only 5.1 and only few HDMI 7.1 solutions works so far (G35/NV8200) , AMD HD4870 HD 4800 HDMI 7.1 is still unconfirmed, then we are right now without real choice ...

 

[Guest]

I liked your article so much I've been dying for part 2... when does that come out!?!

 

[etittel]

I just turned it in about 2 hours ago, so I expect it will take another couple of days to make it through the editorial cycle. If you'd like an advanced version via e-mail, check out my contact info on my personal web page at www dot edtittel dot com, and send me email so you can get a "preview of coming attractions." Be sure to put "Hi-def Audio Part 2" in your subject line, please.
--Ed--

 

[Guest]

I applaud your efforts in "keeping in touch" by being active in the forum/comments in regards to your article. It shows your interest and sincerity in helping others. Thanks!

 

[audioee]

So where might part 2 be? Has it been published yet?

 

[LoboBrancoTimido]

First of all Ed Tittel you are one of the best editors I had the pleasure to read on Tom's Hardware.
I'm not in to Home Theater these days but I enjoy reading about the subject and I know a bit about audio to say some words about it.
When it comes to audio the more quality the source has the better.
In the past I had the pleasure to visit some AudioShows here in Portugal and hear some amazing systems, most people would be amazed what a pair of 5000€ speakers or even more can do to their hears :-D now imagine a 5.1 or 7.1 system. People that say "I don't notice anything different" should at least try to hear a 15000€ system playing their favorite movie or concert. In the past I spent a lot of money with speakers,cables, etc but these days I'm more than happy with my simple custom speakers, Quality is important but the most important thing of them all is to actually hear good music and see good movies, I know some people that got lost in the search for the perfect sound.
I already heard the perfect sound quality, and its a live concert. :-D

Btw DTS-HD HR has a little problem on hd audio specs table(the specs are in diferent places) you should check it out,please 🙂

Now I'm gonna read part 2.

 

[LoboBrancoTimido]

First of all Ed Tittel you are one of the best editors I had the pleasure to read on Tom's Hardware.
I'm not in to Home Theater these days but I enjoy reading about the subject and I know a bit about audio to say some words about it.
When it comes to audio the more quality the source has the better.
In the past I had the pleasure to visit some AudioShows here in Portugal and hear some amazing systems, most people would be amazed what a pair of 5000€ speakers or even more can do to their hears :-D now imagine a 5.1 or 7.1 system. People that say "I don't notice anything different" should at least try to hear a 15000€ system playing their favorite movie or concert. In the past I spent a lot of money with speakers,cables, etc but these days I'm more than happy with my simple custom speakers, Quality is important but the most important thing of them all is to actually hear good music and see good movies, I know some people that got lost in the search for the perfect sound.
I already heard the perfect sound quality, and its a live concert. :-D

Btw DTS-HD HR has a little problem on hd audio specs table(the specs are in diferent places) you should check it out,please 🙂

Now I'm gonna read part 2.

 

[etittel]

Dear LBT:
thanks for the feedback: I'll definitely check out the issue with DTS-HD High Resolution, to see if it can be fixed. Thanks also for your kind words about the work involved: it was time-consuming and often confusing but ultimately very educational. It's also a good idea to remember, as so many posters point out, that sound ultimately matters most when it's reached your ears, and your perceptual apparatus comes into play.
Let me know what you think of Part 2 after you've worked your way through it.
Thanks again,
--Ed--

 

[ryanf7271]

I know of 2 blu rays that use DTS-HD HR. King of New York with Chrisopher Walken and Rambo First Blood, the 1st one not First Blood 2. Just so you can check them out andgive them a listen. If you have your BDP connected via HDMI and also have the player connected using the Digital Coax output, then when you switch the input mode on your AVR to Coax the DTS-HD HR will down grade to DTS-ES Discrete 6.1

 

[ryanf7271]

When I use my BD/DVD player and I am watching a movie with basic DTS 5.1 I actually get either 6.1 or 7.1 bcuz The FL/R, C, SL/R, SBL/R and SW speakers all light up on the reciever indicating they are all being used. I also Have a speaker pattern option of 5/2.1 with Front Height L & R channels, rather than 3/4.1 which incorporates the Surround Back L & R channels. But with the 5/2.1 pattern I cannot get my FHL/R channels to light up even when playing a BRD with DTruHD or DTSHDMA 7.1 soundtracks...why is that? The FH L/R will only light up when I use the PL IIz sound field.

 

[ryanf7271]

I have at least one DVD or Blu Ray disc that will use LPCM 5.1-7.1, DD 5.1 DD EX, DolbyTrueHD 5.1-7.1, DTS 5.1, DTS ES Discrete 6.1(some 7.1), DTS-HD High Res 6.1 (some 7.1), DTS-HD MA 5.1-7.1...but I have yet to find any DVD or Blu Ray disc that uses DD+ or DTS-ES Matrix. Can anybody tell me which, if any, DVDs or BD's use DD+ or DTS-ES Matrix?? My 7.1 Sony 3D AVR has 4 HDMI slots, 3 in, 1 output, 1 digital coax, and 2 SPDIF or Fiber Optic. My AVR had the ability to decode ALL audio formats, so where do I get a disc that uses DD+ and a disc that uses DTS-ES Matrix? I know that some of the titles on Netflix use DD+ but when I stream the movies using DD+ I get LPCM 48 6.1-7.1. Can anybody help by telling me if their exists DVDs and/or BD's with DD+ or DTS Matrix? Thank you. If you need anymore info please just ask.