The question: When converting HDCP material such as a Blu-Ray disc internally to PCM, are players required by HDCP standards to downsample 24-bit Dolby or DTS converted material to 16-bit before outputting PCM over the Optical or Coax outputs?
Why it matters: In the past, I've noticed truncated bit rate conversions to be harsh and edgy and would prefer the PCM conversion to be full 24-bit.
Note: I have a 2 channel setup and do not use an AVR or HDMI pre, etc.
This is a broad question that I've researched for awhile but have no conclusive answer. I did run across a document for a Sony UBP-X800 that I can't find anymore that stated something like "Due to HDCP protocols, copyright digital PCM data is converted to 16-bit when output over COAX output." (I am digging around to try to find that document). In the end, I'm fairly certain (but not sure) that my LG OLED converts signals to 16-bit 48kHz but I don't have a DAC that displays bit rate to verify.
History into the question: The main reason I ask is that my Panasonic DP-UB820 has an annoying audio sync issue when outputting the audio via the HDMI2 port or the Analog output (analog is the main reason I bought this player, other than Dolby Vision). This happens for all 4K discs, Blu-Ray, and DVD discs, but NOT Netflix or Amazon. I tried dozens of different options, settings, etc on the player, and tried them with 3 different TVs to no avail. This thread is not about diagnosing that issue.
The ONLY way I get perfect audio sync is when I output video and audio via HDMI 1. The audio through the TV speakers and through the TV's optical out is in perfect sync. On my Sony UBP-X800, I use the second HDMI port for PCM converted audio to an HDMI extractor, then from the extractor I output full range COAX to my DAC.
Most DACs that show sample rate AND bit rate are expensive. I wonder if I can hook my RME audio interface into it and see what the bit rate is in software..
I will be running some more tests this weekend to verify. Sorry for the long-winded post!
Why it matters: In the past, I've noticed truncated bit rate conversions to be harsh and edgy and would prefer the PCM conversion to be full 24-bit.
Note: I have a 2 channel setup and do not use an AVR or HDMI pre, etc.
This is a broad question that I've researched for awhile but have no conclusive answer. I did run across a document for a Sony UBP-X800 that I can't find anymore that stated something like "Due to HDCP protocols, copyright digital PCM data is converted to 16-bit when output over COAX output." (I am digging around to try to find that document). In the end, I'm fairly certain (but not sure) that my LG OLED converts signals to 16-bit 48kHz but I don't have a DAC that displays bit rate to verify.
History into the question: The main reason I ask is that my Panasonic DP-UB820 has an annoying audio sync issue when outputting the audio via the HDMI2 port or the Analog output (analog is the main reason I bought this player, other than Dolby Vision). This happens for all 4K discs, Blu-Ray, and DVD discs, but NOT Netflix or Amazon. I tried dozens of different options, settings, etc on the player, and tried them with 3 different TVs to no avail. This thread is not about diagnosing that issue.
The ONLY way I get perfect audio sync is when I output video and audio via HDMI 1. The audio through the TV speakers and through the TV's optical out is in perfect sync. On my Sony UBP-X800, I use the second HDMI port for PCM converted audio to an HDMI extractor, then from the extractor I output full range COAX to my DAC.
Most DACs that show sample rate AND bit rate are expensive. I wonder if I can hook my RME audio interface into it and see what the bit rate is in software..
I will be running some more tests this weekend to verify. Sorry for the long-winded post!