 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
87.4.222.93
Dear Sirs,
first of all I am everything but an expert.
I read over and over about the [b] intrinsic limits of the S/PDIF interface [/b]
Could the HDMI be a viable alternative for carrying audio digital signals from a transport to an external DAC ?
Is it better than the S/PDIF interface for this purpose?
Thanks and best regards,beppe
Follow Ups:
If my memory serves, the Japanese Hi-Vi Magazine (Hi-Vi is to Japan's leading audio magazine Stereo Sound like TPV is to TAS in the US) has compared HDMI with S/PDIF at least a couple of times. The conclusion is S/PDIF still sounds quite a bit better than HDMI.Alan Hsu
.... I have read that this link (which is being continually revised, causing matching problems in some cases) is subject to an increase in jitter. So, although it reads well on paper, it does not appear to be a good idea for those interested in good audio. Interestingly, Meridian refuse to use it on their projector and stick with DVI - sensible as a projector requires a separate audio system anyway.My take is that HDMI is like a lot of hype associated with current video. It is being touted as the "ultimate" connection and, for many who use crappy audio systems with their latest plasma etc, it probably is as it makes connection simpler.
The advertising spin doctors are having a field day touting "digital", "High Definition", "plasma", "HDMI", etc etc as the latest and greatest that anyone with any aspirations for good taste and quality will aspire to. Many of the sales people are no better and do not know what they are talking about to customers. If digital audio is a maze then digital video is a jungle!
Rant over
John
Do not criticise the idiots in this world - we need them as they make the rest of us look so much better :-)
Thank you very much for the very interesting info.
Kind regards,bg
HDMI can offer multi-channels and high sample rates that are simply not possible from S/PDIF. Performance-wise, it is a mixed bag.HDMI does have a separate clock signal, unlike S/PDIF where the clock and data are embedded together. However the clock signal is the 27 MHz *video* clock, and the audio clock needs to be recreated (presumably via PLL's) from the video clock. So it's not clear that there is much to be gained there.
Finally, HDMI comes along with a video signal, which means that in general there is a also a video display now hooked up to your audio system. Hooking up a video display is the single quickest way to degrade the sound of your audio system.
Better than HDMI is I2S, where the clock and data are separate. However, this was only ever implemented by a couple of small companies (eg, Camelot). Better still are the systems where the clock is sent "upstream" from the DAC box to the transport box. This was only ever done on a proprietary basis by a few people like Linn and Wadia.
I tried to organize a standard for doing this so that all high-end digital audio components could be compatible, but there was too much political infighting to ever achieve success. This eventually became the "SyncroLink" system that is on the Ayre DX-7e DVD transport. We will implement the other half in a DAC box, maybe later this year.
s
Thank you very much indeed Sir for the kind and thorough explanation.
Kind regards,
bg
HowdyOne other problem I've noticed with HDMI, since it by spec provided power and ground there is no possibility of having a ground loop isolating device (hum buster, etc.) in a true HDMI connection. I had just got the last bit of hum out of my system with S-Video isolation transformers between the Tivos and the TV when I got a HD Tivo with HDMI... I'm going to use a gas discharge ground isolator at the dish to fix things right, but HDMI definitely can cause problems...
-Ted
The problem as I see it is there is nothing technically preventing the powers that be within the standards forming groups for HDMI from developing some breakout interface for audio which can be electrically isolated. For example ecrypted data can be passed over ethernet and that can be electrically isolated. I'm not trying to say ethernet is the best choice just using an example of an industry standard data transfer method that already exists that could handle the job just fine.I predict the HDMI idiots can try making all the weekly standards updates they want but until they come up with some assurance that equipment based on these standards won't be immediately obsolete, good luck selling these "visions" they are having.
I think I am starting to come around to Charles' way of thinking. It is ridiculous to pass the video information to the reciever. Companies that invite the marketters to design meetings should not exist. What a mess.
| ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
