That's not good, do they know they are getting it wrong?Yeah exactly, but rtings says that about almost all TVs, and most only do 2 channel. LGs are the occasional exceptions to my knowledge.
That's not good, do they know they are getting it wrong?Yeah exactly, but rtings says that about almost all TVs, and most only do 2 channel. LGs are the occasional exceptions to my knowledge.
Non dirac minidsp (eg 2x4 hd or regular flex without dirac) have the possibility of input eq, which is necessary e.g. for multistage optimization with mso. The flex ht series do not offer this.I can definitely use Dirac and then fine tune it with the mini's PEQ and/or even crossovers, but I am using the PC version. Are you saying that if you use the mini with the regular Dirac then you cannot use PEQ on top?
Yeah, those would be great. I don't even mind the poor Audyssey version since OCA stuff exists. What I'm getting at is that I'm starting to feel like you're either a soundbar kinda person or a mad scientist kinda tinkering person - or maybe there's a third kind that likes vinyl and Wharfedale Lintons. For all these people, the Cinema 70s (and most AVRs) is not a great choice. And what personally bugs me about the 70s is the bloat. It has about 30 connections I will never use.Imo, if D+M upgrade the Cinema 70 and the AVR-X1800H with XT32/sub EQ HT, and from 1 to 2 discrete subouts, I would 100% recommend them. Those two are much simpler to use and weight a lot less, especially the C70 that also save space. If that happens, I might even considering selling my Flex HT, but will likely keep the HTx for the analogs.
This isn't quite true. MSO multistage optimization requires shared filters, which can either be applied at the input stage or replicated on every sub output channel. Which does obviously count against the 18 total filters available on the flex, which is why I wish more were available when not using Dirac.input eq, which is necessary e.g. for multistage optimization with mso
Yeah, those would be great. I don't even mind the poor Audyssey version since OCA stuff exists. What I'm getting at is that I'm starting to feel like you're either a soundbar kinda person or a mad scientist kinda tinkering person - or maybe there's a third kind that likes vinyl and Wharfedale Lintons. For all these people, the Cinema 70s (and most AVRs) is not a great choice. And what personally bugs me about the 70s is the bloat. It has about 30 connections I will never use.
I think it's only advantageous in the newest version. The previous versions I guess have been PEQ only, so the taps don't make a differenceThe OCA stuff needs Audyssey, so I think XT 32 will still help.
I was referring to the mso manual: https://www.andyc.diy-audio-engineering.org/mso/html/index.htmlThis isn't quite true. MSO multistage optimization requires shared filters, which can either be applied at the input stage or replicated on every sub output channel. Which does obviously count against the 18 total filters available on the flex, which is why I wish more were available when not using Dirac.
I was referring to the mso manual: https://www.andyc.diy-audio-engineering.org/mso/html/index.html
"The DSP device must provide separate EQ and delay adjustments for each sub individually. If there are no input channel filters available in the mono signal path of the DSP device before the signal's internal split into multiple channels, the potential of MSO can't be fully realized."
If you found another solution working, maybe you can post a link with further information.
The Equivalence of Input Filters and Replicated Output Filters
A useful filter equivalence relationship exists involving input filters and replicated output filters. Suppose you have an MSO shared sub channel with filters FL1, FL2, FL3 and FL4. An exact equivalent circuit can be made by removing these filters from the shared (input) channel and replicating all of them in all of the miniDSP output channels. Although somewhat wasteful of filters, one can make use of the biquads contained in the seldom-used miniDSP crossover filters to implement them. By using the Use miniDSP crossover biquads if output biquad limit exceeded option in the Application Options property sheet, the MSO biquad export will automatically do this filter equivalence transformation for you when needed. It will then automatically create the biquad text files to implement the extra filters using the crossover biquads if necessary.
Nice, thank you! Wasn't aware of that - that put's the Htx back on my list.
I am curious about the settings in your Apple TV 4K. Do you have to turn off Atmos in sound settings to disable metadata transmission or is it a non issue and simply not recognized at the receiving end regardless of the setting when playing Atmos tracks?My holiday project and present to myself was to replace a Denon x4800h with a MiniDSP Flex HT system for 5.2 home theater. I had a blast doing this project and I’m sticking with the Flex HT. I like the MiniDSP tools much more and I like managing and tinkering with the system.
Should you replace your AVR with the HT Flex? Probably not. Although higher, it’s likely that the sonic/SINAD benefits are in the inaudible range. The Flex HT system probably more expensive, more complex, has more remotes, and lacks features compared to a good mid-range AVR. You are replacing one big box with several smaller boxes. MiniDSP accepts no returns and has no warranty.
Still interested? Here’s what I learned and did.
Despite being called a 'Multichannel Home Theater Processor', the Flex HT needs help to function as an AVR. The issue is that the Flex HT(x) system can only handle surround sound that is license-free, meaning it cannot decode any licensed compression formats like Dolby. To use the Flex HT as an AVR, licensed decoding must be done by a by another device (like an upstream video streamer) and then output in the unlicensed 'Uncompressed Multichannel LPCM' format via eARC to the Flex HT. (Uncompressed Multichannel LPCM can only be transmitted via eARC. )
In practice the above means the $600 HT requires two additional specialty devices (in addition to an external amplifier), raising the total cost another $400
Setup and configuration
- A uncompressed multichannel LPCM video streaming source. Not much choice here. The ($149) Apple TV 4k video streamer is the only assured solution for Netflix, Hulu, Max etc... No other streamer works at the moment. Note that newer console gaming devices can also do uncompressed multichannel LPCM for many games and some better DVD/Bluray players also output uncompressed multichannel LPCM. It's just the video streamers that are behind although someone thinks the new Amazon Fire 4k might also work. Confusingly all TVs and streamers do 2 channels of uncompressed LPCM, which leads some people to think it will work multichannel, but it won't. Just get the Apple 4k.
- An eARC splitter. This is a misunderstood and critical device. It doesn’t change the audio or do any decoding for the system. It’s just an active splitter (or switch) that splits the source HDMI (e.g. Apple TV 4k) into two: one 4k HDMI video to the TV display and one eARC HDMI audio to the Flex HT(x). HD Fury devices (cheapest is $249) are recommended but there are cheaper alternatives.
Once you have your devices, the routing is simple. Split the video source with your eARC splitter and route one cable to the TV and one to the Flex HT. Use good cables, eARC can be finicky.
View attachment 417821
Some tips I can share
- The Apple TV 4k remote can learn 'mute' and 'volume' from the Flex HT, but not ‘preset’ or ‘source’ so you are still likely to use two remotes plus your TV remote. Apparently the minidsp remote codes in the old Logitech Harmony system work if you have one.
- The MiniDSP console software only runs on a computer, something I didn't have in my home theater room. At first, I used a very long cable so I could use a laptop comfortably away from thescreen. Later, I bought a used i3 minicomputer and connected to it with remote control software. That way I can connect to it on my phone as well.
- Down/Up mixing yourself – I had to create a preset on the MiniDSP for up-mixing older 2ch video sources to have a center channel if the dialog isn’t clear enough in stereo. I also created a 5.1 upmix for 2ch games and live sports events.
- If you need a video input switch, the HD Fury VRROOM can be purchased for $550 (used about $425) and it works well, but adds another remote and app.
I did before but with the most recent update that option is gone. It continues to give me 8/6 PCM so I think it's a non issueI am curious about the settings in your Apple TV 4K. Do you have to turn off Atmos in sound settings to disable metadata transmission
Not automatically. The presets don’t change based on input. You’d have to change the preset when you changed input, if you need this.And I'm not able to find this anywhere else, can you have a separate config (stereo vs 5.1) based on input? I'm thinking 5.1 for eARC, stereo for SPDIF.
A key thing to check: more eARC TVs are likely to pass 7.1 LPCM, eg if already received from a connected ATV or console, than to decode to LPCM. I beIieve very few, if any, do the latter.Most (all?) support 2 channel but not multi.
I recently swapped my old AVR for a Flex HTx.
I have it connected to the eARC of my LG 77C2 screen. An Apple4k TV is connected to a 'normal' HDMI input.
Setting it up so the A4TV is in PCM only with the LG passing it to the Flex HTx was simple.
Getting the CEC volume/mute commands from the A4TV was fiddly. I actually have no idea why it started working, it just did.
I am looking at getting a small USB streamer so I can listen to TIDAL or Airstream without needing the TV on.
post 47I'd be curious what TVs other than LG would work in this configuration.
Thanks very much.post 47
PC (with Dolby Access / Dolby Atmos for home theater selected in settings) --> Nvidia (HDMI) ---> TV --> eARC --> miniDSP