HDMI Inputs

[@suprgx472]

Paul is like a kid in a candy store when it comes to electronics. That circuit board had him captivated. His passion is apparent and deep.

[@googoo-gjoob]

ooooh, _shiny_

[@PanAmStyle]

I chuckled when you got distracted by the circuit board with the “big beautiful cap” and TUBE SOCKETS!

[@audioeeze8396]

Earl Dunbar I chuckled too and then my next thought was : Dang Paul, get a hold on that ADD, Lol

[@JoeJ-8282]

Yeah, @3:40, that's just what I was thinking!... Paul, you're kinda like the dog in that animated movie "UP" that is in the middle of talking and then he gets distracted by "Squirrel!", LOL!... Anyway, I do the same thing sometimes, so no biggie... I think it's because both of our brains are always trying to take in and process and learn about or discover as much new (to us) potential *awesomeness* as possible, so we pay attention to everything around us that we find cool or interesting... This can be a good and "bad" quality though, depending on the situation, haha!

[@lumntoob999]

I find it extremely interesting to see all of the different environments over there, this one in particular, in an engineers office looking at the new sprout was awesome. Keep these going please, I'm sure you will get more and more subscribers, you seem like a very personable, intelligent, fun, and kind man. I wish you and ps audio the best and thank you so much for the top notch content.

[@microteche]

It would be good to see your home audio set up , both surround and stereo setups, thanks.

[@ctoforhire]

Agreed!!!

[@kencohagen4967]

microteche yah, that thing!

[@denttech2515]

I second that. Or 3rd? Whatever order I'm in

[@sbbinahee]

Please do show us your home tbeatre system as you mention it often. I have a 5.1 system which is great for movies but lacking for music 2 channel or surround music. I had cheaper 2 channel hi fi that gave better stereo sound..way better.

[@davidtomsett]

Paul, as you know if you have seen any of my earlier posts, I do believe that Harbeth (based just down the road in Lindfield, Sussex, England) make some of the finest speakers in the world. I am so glad you find them terrific too.

[@kalijasin]

HTPC is a home theater PC. Similar to like when we used to have the Stereo receiver, CD player, EQ, etc.. all stacked on top of each other along side the Cable box. I'm sure many remember that. The HTPC is all of that in-one using a computer. HTPC has much more capabilities though. As it supports video playback, video recording for video downloaded, photo storage, audio file (mp3,wav, etc.) storage and play back, and so on.

[@natarajhauser]

Hi Paul. Nice meeting you at AXPONA. I solved this problem differently. I have an analog 2-channel integrated amp (Linn Majik-I). I ripped all my CDs to AIFF files at 44/16, but needed to get those files served to the amp. I run a PC using iTunes (for now) to serve the files. I also stream movies using Amazon Prime from that PC. I run HDMI out from the PC to the television, and digital audio (coax) from the television to a DAC, and from there to the Linn amp. Since my BR player also connects via HDMI to the television, that also is carried to the Linn so I get great audio for my movies too. There are likely flaws to this setup, but since my listening room is also my small, unfortunately designed living room, Pretty Good is sufficient (and also far better than most of my friends).

[@AlexKnightVancouver]

I've always wondered about this. Thanks for answering it. I ended up getting rid of my AVR since music is what I mostly care about. I had to make a compromise. I live in a one bedroom condo and don't have the luxury of a separate music listening room, so I output the optical audio from my TV and convert that to analog via DAC, which goes into my integrated two-channel Audiolab amp.

[@catsbyondrepair]

All you need is a 15 dollar prozor dac Walmart sells them. Don't waste you on a expensive dac they sound the same as the cheap one they use the same chip set.

[@D1N02]

You can get a HDMI splitter. It can split of audio from HDMI to rca (analogue stereo) or optical to your dac

[@axelris]

I love the part where Paul had the idea to show his home theater and a "ding" sound sounded :D

[@AtomicAutopsy]

I'm running an audio signal via HDMI from HTPC to the NAD M51 then to the power amp. very happy with the end results, no complications.

[@danbretherton]

This is why I asked the question as NAD seem to do this well with HDMI even on their new integrated 368 and 388 you can get HDMI modules for them.

[@stephensams709]

I'm using the exact same setup with the NAD M51 and love the fact that it has HDMI inputs and a pass through output to my TV. My system has never sounded better.

[@victorli4316]

I have the M51 too, it is a great DAC. However, it is not taking the 1 bit DSD signal that Paul was talking about. I believe it is passing through a build-in de-embedder and then pass the stereo signal in 24/192 PCM to the DAC, although some say DSD64 is no better than 24/192 PCM. As noted in another Paul’s video, the analog output stage also plays a big part in SQ as well.

[@justinmorris2740]

Interestingly the Oppo 103 and 105 bluray players mentioned are one of the only ways to easily rip SACD's. Finally their is an easy a way to get all your SACD's onto your Roon core on your server in DSD format and play them back via a bluesound or other DSD compatible device.

[@luismarcilio]

You just answered lots of questions I had about sacds players. Thanks

[@mkhilario]

Look at the DAC in the Maranztz NR1200 for one. 2 channel receiver with HDMI inputs and output.

[@TexasScout]

I just love the way you get sidetracked!

[@916vp]

I dont get it. You just said the you need a sony chip with built in dac play sacd. How does that change going from the ps audio transport to the ps audio dac through hdmi. Wouldn't the ps audio dac need the Sony chip with built in dac to work? So how did ps audio bypass the dac portion of the sony chip?

[@agx502]

Krell K300i with digital option board has HDMI in/out don’t know if it decodes SACD though. But it’s for use with a Tv HDMI eARC.

[@DavidGarcia-uz3ox]

Great video, I've been waiting for this topic.

[@danbretherton]

Thank you for answering my question. I thought it had something to do with copyright or licensing.

[@musicman257]

great videos Learningalot by watching them. Would love to see the theater.

[@AndyBHome]

I much prefer this intro music to the previous two choices.

[@pappo666]

Yeah i don't blame them either for wanting a decrypted signal through HDMI but it mess up so many things specially HDCP i miss the days when you could take any device and plug it into any device and you got as good Audio / Video as the weakest link allowed but gone are those days...

[@Accuracy158]

HTPC = Home Theater PC ...Basically just low power quiet PC used as primarily as a media server.

[@m.morininvestor9920]

What are some example of those? Thx so much!

[@FileFixer007]

@@m.morininvestor9920 Intel NUC as example. HTPC is actualy any small size computer with great media and network capability.

[@xxxXXXCH04XXXxxx]

@XYGR Gammel Group "Video over HDMI and the sound comes from an external DAC"...is that even legal?

[@xxxXXXCH04XXXxxx]

@XYGR Gammel Group lol, I didn't know it was possible. How do you split them and then goes into an AVR?.

[@xxxXXXCH04XXXxxx]

@XYGR Gammel Group Yeah, I would rather have an external DAC instead of my PC's internal one. But wait, in your specific case, does it go from your external DAC to the AVR in your home theater?. Does your DAC support 5/7/9 channels?.

[@BkunS]

Sprout 2!! Looking forward to its release!

[@number1pappy]

At the risk of sounding like I'm bragging I'm literally the target buyer high end audio company's go after. I say this to point out that even I laugh when Paul says "we do this to keep our products "affordable"! Lol!

[@musicman8270]

The answer to the questioners. Problem is an Oppo bluray playet, first device Ive seen that can handle a large hard drive. I have a 1 tb usb 3 plugged into my Oppo and while its DAC is pretty good I send the signal via optical to my Halo P5's Burr Brown DAC, and the OPPO's interface is rather nice. I have my entire music collection (flac) music vids, etc and its great

[@user-od9iz9cv1w]

That explains a lot. Thanks

[@jamiermathlin]

I use HDMI 2.0 out from my mac mini to my av receiver, so the receiver gets the digital streamed signal, where the DAC is located, gives a great sound.

[@alexanderholding1952]

This has a nice intro, good job.

[@lroy730]

In my RV I have an HDMI to analog 2ch Audio splitter, for my Blu-ray /Streamer. To audio system. Works great after I put a ground loop isolator in.

[@stevomcsteve9492]

I run an HDMI cable out from my computer into an HDMI auxilary in on my Denon avr 891 and have my 2 front and 2 rear channels playing in multi channel stereo mode. I listen to HD and lossles files on KZbin which is highly compressed music I know but it sounds really good to me. Two floor speakers, two bookshelf's and a sub. Okay now everyone tell me what I'm doing wrong..😁

[@JoshM7]

Stevo McSteve You do what works for you lol. My setup is my computer to my receiver through HDMI for 5.1 surround sound when playing games or watching movies or music. (5.1 music is interesting...) I personally prefer music in 2.1, but multi channel stereo is cool every now and then. Can also use EqualizerAPO to do a bit of tweaking to the sound in place of a DSP.

[@HareDeLune]

What you're doing wrong from a High-Fidelity standpoint is basically everything. From the equipment you're using to how you have it set up to what you're listening to; everything is wrong. But, so what? As Josh said, you do what makes you happy, and don't worry about the rest. That'll be one less headache for you! : ) However, if you're REALLY curious, or you want to make an improvement somewhere at sometime to see if you like it, check out The Complete Guide to High-end Audio by Robert Harley. It isn't the be-all, end-all ultimate source of information, and some of it isn't good information anymore, but it's not a bad place to start. : )

[@microteche]

Fantastic insight too, thanks.

[@cubinn149]

Ya i noticed that my avr does better with multi channer than 2 channel and its audio videophile grade system i still use a nice cd player for music with 2 channel rca

[@jlsagely6892]

How long is that patented for? I know Sony’s hold on crt TVs mostly ended when the Trinitron patents ran out.

[@ronbrideau8902]

Was thinking other day HDMI with its many channels might be better way to connect a multi-channel mixer to a computer.

[@burkholdst.rudderberg3574]

I wish High Definition Multi-Media Interface (HDMI) inputs, on various devices, were in the strong vertical position instead of the weaker horizontal position. It is my observation that a heavy, bulky, shielded HDMI cable, in the horizontal position, puts serious stress on the inputs. Is there a method to my madness, or am I just being paranoid concerning my gear?

[@denttech2515]

I could be wrong, but I would think it would affect the pin alignment. Vertically would have to stay perfect with no stress or the contact pins would slip and cause problems. It would be stronger if they made a vertical "locking" hdmi. Ideally that would be perfect, but they make more money when things break.

[@HareDeLune]

You may not want to hear this, but it's actually wrong thinking about cable types. The type of cable you should be looking for is the smallest, skinniest cable you can find, not the largest and bulkiest. I recommend an HDMI mini cable with the smallest ends you can find. If you find one with all metal ends instead of plastic, that's even better.

[@Black0ysterPearl]

I have Panasonic SA-SR700 and SA-XR57 Pure-Path receivers that have HDMI, Coax and Toslink digital inputs. What's the best path from a MacMini for audio only 2 channel listening?

[@estusflask982]

HDMI

[@AlexandreLollini]

But for convenience, you could make a HDMI decoder, because as we all know it's often not the $20 chip the problem but the execution of the inputs, outputs, solderting, connectors, power delivery, etc. I would love to ba able to have a hdmi to 2 XLR DAC well made. We all know that all the multichannel crap sounds better in 2.0 or 2.1

[@joeldoxtator9804]

The core issue is that companies don't want to shell out the annual license fee. 10000 dollars per year. HiFi Audio isn't a numbers business, it's a margins business and HDMI is too expensive. My question would be the other way around for the A/V manufacturers. Why don't they provide Type B USB input? It would be incredibly useful to those using A/V in stereo's because the grounds on the HDMI cables from a video card are always noisy as hell causing buzzing.

[@avehein]

Thats interesting about the dac being in the hdmi. I see Oppo has an sacd player that lists having a dac (Sony players do not) so I wonder how this works. Is it in addition to the hdmi or does it bypass that somehow? Or perhaps there are other digital outputs that could be used? Hd audio only passes through hdmi for copyright purposes correct? Ugh, so confusing.

[@avehein]

SMOG which is why I found his video to be informative. Prior to this video I was confused as to why one brand would mention the dac and the other wouldn't.

[@danbretherton]

The sony UHD player has no analog outputs just HDMI.

[@jordanlewis3790]

High definition musical interface? Don't think that's quite right there paul... The m stands for media and it was the replacement of scart going from support of just 480p to 720p or HD. Thats also where the hd comes from.

[@mrpositronia]

Thanks for another video! I have a general question for you... What is your main hi-fi setup at home, and what items are on your wishlist?

[@mrpositronia]

Hehe! Thanks for answering so honestly, I'll speak no more of it then. :)

[@ericm.6837]

Would love to see your home theater.

[@mvsrpharma]

Thanks

[@nikonovandrej1985]

well, that cool. something new to me!

[@dfj555]

Hi Paul. For the next DirectStream DAC would you consider adding 2 analog inputs to the back of the DAC? Here's my rational, I currently own a PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter and the analog output on that unit is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, currently I have no way of connecting the unit via analog to the current Direct Stream Dac. In my opinion the analog output is superior to its digital output. Secondly, I also currently own an OPPO 205 and with the current DirectStream DAC not having an analog input I cant stream my SACD's via an analog input. Paul help, please consider adding two analog inputs on the next DigitalStream DAC. Thanks!

[@ShellstaTube]

Hi Dorne, I'm likely missing something but ... isn't it a bit in the name / function of the product? The Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) takes a digital input (beit PCM or DSD). You already have a quality analog signal from your Nuwave to go direct to your pre/amp. The analog out of your Oppo will have already done it's conversion on it's onboard ESS DAC.

[@dfj555]

Other DAC's much smaller than the Dirtectstream such as the Benchmark DACs offer analog in. Why use a preamp when you could have a high quality DAC with analog inputs, it would eliminate an additional piece of equipment and additional interconnects. Thanks for the responses.

[@BERO17071991]

Can you make more powerful version of Sprout with about 100W per channel for 8Ω speakers?

[@catsbyondrepair]

Bero1707 if you want that get a Sony STR-DH130 .

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

I been searching for a good deal on a sony Es5000 a friend of mine has one it sounds great with SACD

[@MeatPopsycle]

I wonder if that was the Nipper used in Cyndi Lauper's video.

[@wildbillhackett]

What I don't like about the HDMI cords is that the connectors and the cords themselves (because both are so large) are quite heavy, and as such, they wear out the receptacles and the circuit boards the receptacles are mounted on very easily.

[@colinbenfield326]

I got the new Apple TV which no longer outputs optical pcm so I now have to play iTunes through the hdmi from the ATV to the Sony tv and then output from the optical on the tv to my pre amp. I'm guessing I'm up sampling twice or something crazy but there's no other way around it. Annoying!

[@johnmimms9167]

now I see why you just cant use any dac when reproducing dsd files. Thanks Paul.

[@MrJoep12]

Hi Paul, I haven a Classé 2200i and a MacMini. HDMI sounds better than USB.

[@UmVtCg]

High Definition Multimedia Interface

[@kevenharvey9711]

Home Theatre Personal Computer There's also DisplayPort as a standard for audio/video and most current computer graphics cards support it.

[@americanpatriot646]

There is a market for stand alone HDMI amplifiers and headphone amplifiers it is that simple it is a matter of not wanting to.

[@gyrgrls]

Once upon a time, I was pushing for a job as a salesman for entry-level equipment, but I just couldn't get in on the ground floor.

[@john4m]

What’s the name of those speakers again please ? Thanks.

[@ColAngus]

This guy, lol

[@Vinylbop]

Harbeth. Don't know which type though.

[@charlesgrubbs2447]

Harbeth P3-ESR

[@cuttinchops]

MIDI/HDMI ... same thing right? Lol assuming where the confusion is from. Working in the studio will do that to you sometimes

[@mjlucey-zm7wp]

Either your ADD is intruding, or you're teasing something to come. And your dog is very well behaved.

[@OhMyGodMuffins]

Sprout II!

[@Goabnb94]

The Handy Dandy Movie Input...

[@jackjones6936]

You don't typically need to bother with hdmi for stereo because coaxial and optical connections can already take stereo pcm uncompressed so it would just be an extra expense and hassle. I can see why it would be handy, and I could maybe see the hdmi audio return channel being used, negating the need for video pass through etc.

[@drezzylol]

say what if i want to violate copyright laws...what would be the easiest way?

[@mbison3822]

Great video Paul. But it's actually high definition multi-media interface. Not musically interface.

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Doh! Thanks for the correction. I forget more than I know.

[@mbison3822]

All. Good. Once again. Yr. Videos. Are. Always informative. Sorry. For the grammatical errors. You know how. These phone keyboards are.

[@Shaw4444]

HTPC = Home Theater Personal Computer

[@HareDeLune]

Not to mention (and he didn't): With an HDMI cable, you have multiple signal wires plus a power wire, all bound together right next to each other for the entire run. You may then say: Yeah, but they're shielded, so no biggie. Well, however well shielded they are, the fields from these wires are gonna interact with each other and degrade the signal (unless you shield 'em with lead, which introduces other problems), compared to having separate signals that are separated from each other.

[@jordanlewis3790]

You don't understand how shielding works do you.

[@scottlowell493]

...but poll a bunch of audio snobs and they simply must spend $1000 on gold plated HDMI cables because...

[@dennisraymond4339]

Hay P

[@bneyens]

TOOL album on desk…

[@busterrabbit]

HDMI is not by definition encrypted

[@jonathansturm4163]

HDMI can use HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to encrypt the signal. HDCP testing is now part of the requirements for HDMI compliance.

[@TheRealD4]

After watching this, I am more confused about CD vs SACD. Let me explain: 'Person A' plays CD's on a PS audio system with a special high end DAC. Great. However Sony introduced the SACD format way back as an audiophile format, but 99% users are playing this back on Sony's proprietary decryption/DAC combo IC? = Person B. Therefore if Person B is bottlenecked by the Sony decrypt/DAC what's the point of the SACD format if it is held back to perform worse than Person A using normal CD's thru a custom DAC?!

[@mrlithium69]

Paul I love you but this wasnt helpful. You bring up DRM and copyright, thats neither here nor there. You can get a HDMI cable to carry the same SPDIF data as everyone knows and loves in Toslink/Coax, WITHOUT the DRM. Its just that simple. You happen to be living in a world of laws and copyrights so thats how you see everything

[@karlsalnoske7465]

Paul was specifically referring to SACD DSD 1-bit output, which is a format that is protected by the Sony copyrights. SPDIF is a standard for transmitting multi-bit PCM which is an open standard. There are a couple of manufacturers like PSA and dCS that have contracts with Sony that allow them to output the SACD DSD stream over a cable (i2S via HDMI in PSA's case and dCS uses dual AES XLR cables) but as Paul explained, these are closed systems that only work with the manufacturer's own DACs. Other than hacking an Oppo (which has been done), I don't know of any other way to get DSD output from an SACD player/transport.

[@tritiumglo4699]

HDMI and HDCP are the worst things that has ever happened in the AV industry. Bugs. Glitches. Board failures. Forced obsolescence. Im glad PS Audio, and many others are not using this. It does not belong in the 2ch world.

[@JoeJ-8282]

Yeah, it's mainly an issue of the copyright laws... Damn those! Lol!

[@spungoflex3285]

What the hell kind of drugs is he giving that dog?

[@Yuppie.Mike.]

I am confused. I've been trying to watch your videos clearly I don't know enough about your industries. I understand what you're talking about I am an audiophile. But I believe and I need somebody to prove me wrong. Optical cables provide a superior sound quality over HDMI. With the equipment that I have I can tell you every time when it's HDMI or Optical. My amp is a Yamaha RX v3000. I have Klipsch kg3 he's as my main speakers. You know what the integrated amplifiers that have Dolby Pro logic you can turn that off. And just have stereo sound. The way you talk you make it sound like it doesn't exist. Are you an engineer? Or are you a computer scientist? When I switch to HDMI from obstacle I can tell there are missing frequencies from the music.

[@infinite1der]

Think of it this way. When your transport (BR/DVD/CD/whatever player) does a digital output via optical (or coax), the player does the conversion from the encoded format (Dolby Digital/Ex/Master/Atmos/etc or DTS/Neo/True/etc) to PCM format and sends that over the optical (or coax) cable to the AVR where it converts to analog via whatever DAC(s) it has. When the output is over HDMI, (*most* of the time) the player is outputting the encoded format (Dolby Digital/Ex/Master/etc, DTS/Neo/TrueAudio/etc/ or what-have-you) over HDMI where your AVR does the decoding and translation to PCM which is then routed to the DAC(s) and converted to analog. The difference you're hearing is most likely in the decoding step from whatever meduim you're listening to down to PCM. While both the player and your AVR may use the same decoding chips, the filters and signalling may be different thus coloring the audio differently.

[@DustyLambert]

High Definition *Multimedia* Interface, not “music”

[@bhaverly]

that dang add acting up again lol

[@Tbonyandsteak]

HDMI comes from Sony

[@kenwebster5053]

I really hate HDMI with a passion because of the excessive interference the cables spew out and infect everything else with. Most cables have really bad long pigtail shield long terminations that are basically open circuit at the GHZ interference frequencies generated by the uncompressed high frequency analogue square wave bit pulse signals. Basically meaning the shield is inoperative. The ensuing interference egress is extremely broad band and extremely strong. I have seen it bring down nearby equipment to inoperable. While it works great for it's own system, it basically kills everything else around it. The spec concentrates on the bits but neglects the shield. That aspect of the spec is just ridiculously poor. I have not found a single HDMI cable with effective egress shielding yet. GRRRRR!

[@GP-qb9hi]

In short: "cus HDMI is ILlEgAl"

[@PandorasFolly]

The answer HDMI is a copyrighted format Sony owns the format and encrypts it In order xmit across a hdmi cable you need to use a Sony chipset and in order to receive from an hdmi cable you need a sony chipset. My man here isn't interested in encrypted sound streams.

[@monetize_this8330]

I think you're confused. HDCP is the content protection mechanism, not HDMI which is a standard not exclusively controlled by SONY. HDMI is backward compatible with sRGB and DVI so it doesn't have any mandatory encryption / content blocking features.

[@stewartcampbell7794]

Encryption & DRM . 3 yrs or so ago an Automated DRM Update Punked Out 3 out-of 4 of My Blue-Ray Player's.Toshiba/Sony & Samsung .The 3 That Punked Out had Ethernet Plugged in.Now they Only play Standard DVD. Blue-Ray's r Not Recognized anymore.The surviving B-D player will never-ever see the light of the WWW Ethernet.Thank's Hollywood! Manufacturers would Only Sympathised & suggested 2 Purchase New B/D Player's. Haven't & NEVER Will buy Blu Rays Since & or Again. Not Starved 4 Content in-da Least...60+NOOB.Tit4Tat,Imagine That ! Think about what & where U Plug In.Gotta luv da Wild-Wild-West.

[@69_MK]

this video is like minus 8db cant even hear it

[@705johnnyboy]

worst cable ever made