DVD-Audiobahn

Posted by FezCo (A) on March 13, 2007 at 22:21:16

Howdy Folks,
First of all, I must say it is an outstanding album (just got through listening to it). I was always a big fan of the 'unplugged' -MTV album, and I feel that 'Massey' put it to shame. Now on with business....
Excuse me if this has already been posted about the Neil Young archives. What is the deal with LPCM vs traditional DVD-A? I get the impression from what I have read on this forum that one needs to maually set my player's output to LPCM and that is for digital out. In my case (Denon 3910), it already has nice D/A 192/24 converters built in. Why would I want to use the external digital out for an outboard D/A? Am I listening to 96/24 when I am playing the DVD?
Under the Denon 'setup' there is an option setting for LPCM and the only thing listed is 16/44.1. Am I stuck with that sample rate with these LPCM discs? Any advice would be appreciated.

POLL: How many folks shut off the TV after firing up these LPCM recordings? For outstanding live recordings like this, I choose to use my mind's eye and I shut off the video.

Good evening to you all.
FezCO

• Neil Young Live at Massey Hall   (Open in New Window)

• Re: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall - racerguy 09:18:36 03/14/07 (0)
  In Reply to: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall posted by FezCo on March 13, 2007 at 22:21:16:

  First of all, thanks for confirming that the new NY release is a DVD-V, not a DVD-A. There was some question about that, and I think you've answered it.

  > > What is the deal with LPCM vs traditional DVD-A? < <

  LPCM is uncompressed, unprotected Linear PCM. It's the "traditional" format. LPCM can be played on any DVD player. It can be output through an external DAC at full resolution via a standard unencrypted digital port (assuming the DAC can handle that resolution). LPCM can be copied at full resolution to a computer or digital media player.

  "DVD-A" is (losslessly) compressed, protected Packed PCM. PPCM requires a special DVD-Audio-compatible player. PPCM cannot be output through an unencrypted digital port, and it is copy-protected.

  Neil Young appears to have abandoned DVD-A in favor of hi-rez LPCM on DVD-V. It makes sense for stereo-only DVD releases, because putting your stuff on a DVD-A guarantees a limited market.

  > > I get the impression from what I have read on this forum that one needs to maually set my player's output to LPCM and that is for digital out. In my case (Denon 3910), it already has nice D/A 192/24 converters built in. Why would I want to use the external digital out for an outboard D/A? Am I listening to 96/24 when I am playing the DVD? < <

  If you are using the built-in DACs, there should be no reason why you would need to play with settings that control the digital ports. Your Denon will play the LPCM tracks on the DVD-V at full resolution.
  
  
  

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• Re: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall - Mudshark 08:36:24 03/14/07 (3)
  In Reply to: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall posted by FezCo on March 13, 2007 at 22:21:16:

  My Denon DVD-955S (2910) outputs 24/96 from the digital output when I play the Neil Young "Live at Fillmore East" DVD. The sound on "Fillmore East" is outstanding from my 24/192 upsampling DAC. I leave the LPCM setting on the Denon setup menu set to "off."

  I plan to purchase "Massey Hall" shortly, and I hope it works the same way.

  Note that the "Harvest" and "On the Beach" discs are copy-protected, and there is no high-rez digital output when I play those discs.
  
  

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  • Re: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall - FezCo 09:32:38 03/14/07 (2)
    In Reply to: Re: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall posted by Mudshark on March 14, 2007 at 08:36:24:

    Thanks for your response. I own 'Live at Fillmore' as well and I think "Massey Hall" has the same type of output. There is much more video footage on MH, however. So your 2910 will output 24/96 through the digital out eh... what about the 'internal' dac on your model? Should I set LPCM to off in the setup? Thanks for the help.
    
    

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    • Re: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall Denon Set Up - mwheelerk 20:56:50 03/18/07 (0)
      In Reply to: Re: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall posted by FezCo on March 14, 2007 at 09:32:38:

      What you should be looking for in the Denon DVD menu is the set up for the digital output which is either Normal or PCM. For DVD-V discs with 24/96 you set to PCM. This is how I output 24/96 via digital coax with my Denon 2900. In the set up instructions for NY Live at the Fillmore this is the same instructions they provide for DVD players. Basically if your player allows an option to select PCM use it. Remember though that you will not output Dolby Digital or DTS via the digital output if set to PCM (that is what the Normal setting is for). I leave it set to PCM for and use my EXT IN on my Denon receiver for Dolby Digital and DTS for movies.
      
      

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    • Re: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall - Mudshark 10:31:52 03/14/07 (0)
      In Reply to: Re: LPCM - Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall posted by FezCo on March 14, 2007 at 09:32:38:

      Assuming your 3910 works the same way as the 2910, you should be fine if you leave LPCM set to off. Frankly, I believe it only affects the digital outputs, so setting it to either on or off should not affect the 24/96 sound you're getting from the internal DAC.
      
      

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