What's wrong with using HDMI for 96 and 192 output

[repeetavx]

What is your guys understanding of using HDMI for listening to HDTracks and other high definition audio tracks. Also what programs would you recommend for playing them (I don't think JRiver supports HDMI). I'm using a Windows 7 machine.

Thanks!

P.S. The reason I bought a HDMI card for my computer is because of the four types of outputs on my OPPO-93, the HDMI output sounded best through my UMC-1.

[solarrdadd]

if the sound/video card that has the hdmi on it will output the high resolution audio then you should be in shape. somewhere in windows there should be audio settings that would tell you the max of the soundcard or audio output device.

as long as you have software that supports the file format you should be fine. your receiver with hdmi inputs that are 1.3 or better will have no problem supporting 192/24bit audio.

your issue at the receiver end may be file type support if your bitstreaming audio to the receiver so. check the manual for the receiver as well as checking the manual about the sound card /video card or whatever the hdmi is connected too. it's usually the video card.

keep us posted.

[repeetavx]

Thanks solarrdadd,

Yes I found the "maximum output" configuration options and played with each output choice. Whichever output I chose the UMC-1 would reflect it with the input notification.

The 24 bit choices would cause a delay to the start of the sound, alooong time while it locked it in.

The 16 bit choices caused the audio to start sooner.

Using the 196k sample rate caused my music to throw a deep soundstage and detail deep into the sound stage. Using 96k bought everything closer and more like I was in a room closer to the instruments. 44k and 48k just made the music "cling" to the speaker and lost a lot of detail and substance. The Dolby and DTS on the other hand sound awsome (also 48K).

I'm using both VLC player and Window Media Player with acceptable results, but I would like bit perfect if I could find a program that does bit perfect through HDMI.

[Dark Ranger]

Hi repeetavx,

I use JRiver MC (version 17.0.189) to output bit-perfect audio to my UMC-1 via HDMI. See the attached image. No issues at all with the following configuration:

Windows 7 HTPC (JRiver) > HDMI out (from AMD Radeon HD 7870) > UMC-1 (HDMI in)


My usual 2-channel playback is from the HTPC to XDA-2 (via TOSLINK), but I use the UMC-1/HDMI option when I want to involve my subwoofer. HD Tracks and other high-res stuff (up to 24/96) works great when using HDMI/UMC-1. Of course, the UMC-1 won't play my 24/176.4 kHz stuff (a known issue with the latest firmware), but I've heard that 192 kHz works OK. I don't have any 24/192 files to try, though.

Attachments:

[repeetavx]

Thanks Dark Ranger,

When I looked over the JRiver web site I missed the HDMI support. I'm on the road for the next couple of days, but when I get home for the weekend I'll download JRiver and give it a try.

[GreenKiwi]

If you find you like it, you'll definitely have to try out the JRemote. (if you have an iPhone/iPad) I've found it to be one of the better remote solutions out there.

[emovac]

JRemote for ipad is a nifty JMRC compatible app for only $9.99. Too bad there isn't an android version. JRemote has a very cool smartlist shuffle feature. JRemote is a well thought out app. I like it better than Gizmo.

[repeetavx]

Yes I've been reading about gizmo. To bad my Atrix died. I was too cheap to buy the insurance, and now I have to wait until july to get another smartphone. (I reactivated my old flip phone).

I'm off to my parents for the weekend, so I won't be able to spend much time with JRiver.

[jjmatrix]

Apr 16, 2013 13:33:58 GMT -5 Dark Ranger said:

Hi repeetavx,

I use JRiver MC (version 17.0.189) to output bit-perfect audio to my UMC-1 via HDMI. See the attached image. No issues at all with the following configuration:

Windows 7 HTPC (JRiver) > HDMI out (from AMD Radeon HD 7870) > UMC-1 (HDMI in)


My usual 2-channel playback is from the HTPC to XDA-2 (via TOSLINK), but I use the UMC-1/HDMI option when I want to involve my subwoofer. HD Tracks and other high-res stuff (up to 24/96) works great when using HDMI/UMC-1. Of course, the UMC-1 won't play my 24/176.4 kHz stuff (a known issue with the latest firmware), but I've heard that 192 kHz works OK. I don't have any 24/192 files to try, though.

Same here; I've been using Video Card-HDMI->JRiver->UMC-1 for a long time without any issues, on Vista and 7. You shouldn't have any issues using JRiver via HDMI.

Because the UMC-1 doesn't play 176, you can upsample that particular resolution to 192: it works perfectly.
Native 192 files are an absolute joy when well recorded.

[repeetavx]

Thanks guys,

I downloaded and did some basic configuring of JRiver last night. Wow, there is really a difference. The first thing I noticed was bass definition. Not even my OPPO-93 clarifies the pluck of the bass notes like JRiver does. At least for the the OPPO's 16/44.1 content.

Then I noticed another interesting change. Cymbals have a very natural shimmer and decay without the harshness that they used to have, but also without much high frequency extension. I really like the change, I just find it interesting that I went from in your face harsh to laid back. To the point that it diminishes the presence of the performance.

I went into the menu and noticed that Tools/Audio/DSP are all turned off.

I guess I'll just have to spend some time listening to CDs on the OPPO to see if I just got used to timing harshness.