Coming soon: MiniDSP Flex with HDMI input

[sarumbear]

…my Apple TV outputs LPCM…

Are you sure of that? This Apple document says the decoding is done at the receiving end.

Also, there are no logos on an Apple TV, nor I can see any mention of the trademarks on the various setting pages. Normally logos are mandatory and trademarks are a legal requirement.

 

[sarumbear]

You would need to add an HDMI extractor which offers the ability to output 7.1 LPCM via HDMI rather than just straight passthrough.

But who is decoding the program that you are talking about pass-through.

 

[Joffy1780]

Are you sure of that? This Apple document says the decoding is done at the receiving end.

Also, there are no logos on an Apple TV, nor I can see any mention of the trademarks on the various setting pages. Normally logos are mandatory and trademarks are a legal requirement.

It outputs 5.1 LPCM where there is no Atmos track.
Screenshot of me currently watching Dawn of the Dead on Netflix.

 

[Joffy1780]

But who is decoding the program that you are talking about pass-through.

Not sure what you mean, sorry.
I was thinking something like this would work.

 

[sarumbear]

It outputs 5.1 LPCM where there is no Atmos track.
Screenshot of me currently watching Dawn of the Dead on Netflix.

Thank you for this.

May I correct in assuming that your Netflix setting is set to 5.1? According to Netflix documents some programs have a discrete (nit encoded) 5.1 LPCM track.

I wonder if other services have that as well?

 

[sarumbear]

Not sure what you mean, sorry.
I was thinking something like this would work.

That works if the source has a discreet LCPM audio track. If the audio track is encoded, which is often the case then you cannot output LCPM.

 

[SDC]

Holy ssss if i knew this i wont bought f8!!!

 

[AudioJester]

Wonderful.
I have an okto8 from before other options. Would have bought the dm7 if released back then.
This flex does everything and much more, nice tha it has Ditac. Just need to see price and some measurements!

 

[Joffy1780]

Thank you for this.

May I correct in assuming that your Netflix setting is set to 5.1? According to Netflix documents some programs have a discrete (nit encoded) 5.1 LPCM track.

I wonder if other services have that as well?

No worries.
There aren't any settings on the Netflix app on apple TV to change, but my apple TV is set to Auto, Atmos available and will output Atmos where available, when the track is anything other than Atmos it will output PCM.
Couple more screenshots:
First is John Wick 2 via VLC app choosing the DTS-HD 7.1 track.
Second is Encanto (Atmos) via Disney+.
No settings have been changed on the apple TV when switching between any of the apps or programs.

 

[Joffy1780]

That works if the source has a discreet LCPM audio track. If the audio track is encoded, which is often the case then you cannot output LCPM.

Are you sure, as the switch offers the choice of passthrough/2.0/5.1? I would assume it has the ability to downmix in that case otherwise the switch is useless.

 

[Joffy1780]

One more screenshot before bed;
Encanto via Disney + but with apple TV set to 'Atmos off'

 

[dougi]

Has anyone know a TV that decodes Dolby/DTS and sends out as multichannel PCM through eARC/ARC?

Otherwise, the only use with this unit is a Blu-ray drive.

When using earc, my Yamaha rxa2a always reports inputs are pcm from my Samsung tv. If only arc, the tv produces bitstream.

 

[BJL]

I have difficulty understanding what point there is to a multichannel processor that cannot decode Dolby or dts. This seems like a device that would have been interesting 10 years ago (maybe), but is hopelessly out of date at this point. It looks like a DDRC 88A with added HDMI input and a stereo input. Seems pretty useless.

 

[dougi]

I have difficulty understanding what point there is to a multichannel processor that cannot decode Dolby or dts. This seems like a device that would have been interesting 10 years ago (maybe), but is hopelessly out of date at this point. It looks like a DDRC 88A with added HDMI input and a stereo input. Seems pretty useless.

Well, with eARC your TV should be able to decode all non ATMOS formats to multi-channel PCM and send to it. Which is what my TV sends my AVR. You get all the DSP processing you want, incl DIRAC, with better quality than most AVRs. OF course, you won't get any upmixing, but, who knows, that could be a future plan.

 

[BJL]

Well, with eARC your TV should be able to decode all non ATMOS formats to multi-channel PCM and send to it. Which is what my TV sends my AVR. You get all the DSP processing you want, incl DIRAC, with better quality than most AVRs. OF course, you won't get any upmixing, but, who knows, that could be a future plan.

Not very useful for music sources & no Atmos, ‘X or spatial audio from Apple. Like I said, would have been nice 10 years ago.

 

[bungle]

Post Quoted deleted by Moderator as an error of incorrectly attributing the comments to the wrong person.

The switch informs the _source_ (EDID). In theory setting that to 7.1 and forcing source to PCM, you should get 7.1 LPCM, whether that works in a practice is a bit of a mystery. Object based metadata this will not be able to process for sure.

 

[abdo123]

Could this finally be an AVR replacement (sans Dolby/dts decoding)?

That's a big sans man. I haven't checked my TV yet but it looks like only my PS5 would work with this.

 

[abdo123]

Well, with eARC your TV should be able to decode all non ATMOS formats to multi-channel PCM and send to it.

Which TV are we talking about?

 

[abdo123]

I have purchased alot of MiniDSP products over the years and here are my concerns:

1) it's using the same DSP chip as the Flex with 4 outputs, which is the same DSP chip in the 2x4 HD, so don't expect miracles in terms of processing. this is incredibly disappointing

2) It will not be competetively priced, If this thing is not significantly cheaper (without Dirac) than the Denon X3800 (or the X2800 for that matter) then I don't think anyone should be interested.

3) You might not be able to program the device to advertise itself as 2.0, 5.1 or 7.1 capable, and since it's not capable of downmixing or upmixing this might ruin the experience for anyone with a setup smaller than 7.1.

4) There is no way to test whether your TV is going to work as intended as a decoder, that means you need too buy from a local reseller with a very generous return policy.

5) 8 outputs is a little on the low side for me, I kind of like to aim at minium 9 outputs so you get to choose between 5.4 or 7.2.

6) No promises (or outputs) to support DLBC in the future.

7) the Apple TV does not support LPCM output and it's the biggest provider of multichannel music at the moment (there is nothing else to be honest), which makes point number 4 even more problematic.

Unless you're a gamer looking to get the audio processing out of the PC and include your consoles while you're at it and don't want to deal with a bulky AVR then I don't see this product working perfectly for you without some sort of compromise.

 

[bungle]

2) significantly cheaper (without Dirac) than the Denon X3800 (or the X2800 for that matter) then I don't think anyone should be interested.

It will most likely measure a lot better and get Highly Recommended from Amir (SINAD 87 -> over 110), similar to other Flexes. And in this forum, I feel people put measurements quite high when making decisions (whether that makes sense overal). So there is certainly the aspect of that.