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Looking for a HDMI audio decoder that outputs 8 channel LPCM

lowerfe

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I'm looking for a device that can take an HDMI input and decode every format there is, Dolby, DTS, TrueHD, DTS-MA, Atmos, you name it, just like a receiver can, and then convert it to 8 channel LPCM and output to HDMI. Then it will be connected to a MiniDSP Flex which takes HDMI in, but only supports LPCM.

Does such a device exist? Thanks
 
I'm looking for a device that can take an HDMI input and decode every format there is, Dolby, DTS, TrueHD, DTS-MA, Atmos, you name it, just like a receiver can, and then convert it to 8 channel LPCM and output to HDMI. Then it will be connected to a MiniDSP Flex which takes HDMI in, but only supports LPCM.

Does such a device exist? Thanks

Chances are your cheapest option will be the absolute cheapest AVR you can find, probably demo, used, or refurbished, and using it as an HDMI decoder. I am not sure what the default HDMI output stream is, however, nor if they all put audio on the HDMI output or just video. Another option would be a blu-ray player with HDMI in and out, perhaps with an audio-only HDMI output. I am not sure the BD player would be cheaper than a basement AVR.
 
I always forget about the Blu-ray players with HDMI input. I think the OPPO 203 will do what the OP wants, but I am not sure I know of anything in current production.

Would be great to have a list of products that can output LPCM as I feel this question is asked a lot (even more so with the Flex HT release) and I’ve only seen Arvus mentioned as a modern product with this capability.

Michael
 
It would be illegal sell something that decrypts & digitally converts HDMI from a Blu-Ray or DVD. Decoding to analog is OK.
 
I was under the impression that my fire stick can output multichannel PCM, can't it?

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Thanks for all the help guys. I wish I can buy that Oppo, that looks like it'll do the trick. The other option is to buy the cheapest HDMI 2.1 capable receiver and basically just use it as an HDMI switch. I believe all my sources will output LPCM, so maybe a decoder isn't necessary.
 
The eARC port of the Flex HTx must be connected to a TV. It is not simply an audio HDMI port that can be connected to the HDMI #2(Audio Only) output port of an equipped device. A TV supporting eARC will need to be set to passthrough signals from directly connected devices with eARC support turned ON. Blu-ray Disc players and some devices such as the Apple TV 4K, some Amazon Fire devices, PCs, Macs, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S can all output multichannel PCM rather than bitstream signals and will need to be set to output Uncompressed Multichannel PCM. A 7.1 Uncompressed Multichannel PCM signal will exceed the bandwidth limits of ARC and will need the expanded bandwidth of eARC.

Screenshot 2024-02-03 at 3.15.04 PM.png
 
The eARC port of the Flex HTx must be connected to a TV. It is not simply an audio HDMI port that can be connected to the HDMI #2(Audio Only) output port of an equipped device. A TV supporting eARC will need to be set to passthrough signals from directly connected devices with eARC support turned ON. Blu-ray Disc players and some devices such as the Apple TV 4K, some Amazon Fire devices, PCs, Macs, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S can all output multichannel PCM rather than bitstream signals and will need to be set to output Uncompressed Multichannel PCM. A 7.1 Uncompressed Multichannel PCM signal will exceed the bandwidth limits of ARC and will need the expanded bandwidth of eARC.

View attachment 347149

Are you sure this is correct? I was under the impression all the Flex HTx needs is a PCM signal through the HDMI. I think they only emphasise the eArc because that is a more useful config for a lot of people.

Okay answering my own question, yes you are correct. The Flex HTx needs an eARC HDMI input, they suggest using a HDFury Arcane or Vvroom if your device doesn’t support eARC.

 
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Are you sure this is correct? I was under the impression all the Flex HTx needs is a PCM signal through the HDMI. I think they only emphasise the eArc because that is a more useful config for a lot of people.

Okay answering my own question, yes you are correct. The Flex HTx needs an eARC HDMI input, they suggest using a HDFury Arcane or Vvroom if your device doesn’t support eARC.

I use this: FeinTech VAX04101A. Works well with the MiniDSP Flex HT. Pretty inexpensive.
 
I use this: FeinTech VAX04101A. Works well with the MiniDSP Flex HT. Pretty inexpensive.
How are more people not using this type of combo as an HTP? The Mini DSP HTx has a SINAD of -120db, are you really saying that a $150 HDMI switch driven by a PC and then dumped into the HTx creates the objective best performing HTP money can buy?
 
How are more people not using this type of combo as an HTP? The Mini DSP HTx has a SINAD of -120db, are you really saying that a $150 HDMI switch driven by a PC and then dumped into the HTx creates the objective best performing HTP money can buy?
Amazing, right? But note the limitations: only up to 8 channels so not the latest fancy Atmos stuff, and you need the PC or an AppleTV or something to decode to PCM if your source isn’t in that format already.

Me? I have 4.0 and love it. Subwoofer one day but apartment living and speakers that get down into the 30s at my listening levels means that can wait.

And for me: I love how compact this is. Minidsp Flex, HDMI switch and eARC extractor, Mac Mini, AppleTV and 8tb of storage in one square of an Ikea Kallax.
 
How are more people not using this type of combo as an HTP? The Mini DSP HTx has a SINAD of -120db, are you really saying that a $150 HDMI switch driven by a PC and then dumped into the HTx creates the objective best performing HTP money can buy?
BTW if PC is your source, just use USB. Flex HT and HTx do 8 channels over USB in. I use this for 5.1 FLAC from Roon.
 
Why do you even need this
I use this: FeinTech VAX04101A. Works well with the MiniDSP Flex HT. Pretty inexpensive.

Does this decode all Dolby/DTS formats to LPCM? The website doesn't seem like it does that. Otherwise, why do you need this? The TV can act as the HDMI switch and output all audio through eARC to HDMI.

Also, I've found that most sources can output LPCM if required, so a decoder isn't needed. For example, the Apple TV, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Blu ray players all have a setting to output 8 channel LPCM. So everything gets hooked up to the TV, then eARC out from the TV to the miniDSP. This is what I can do on my Sony TV.
 
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If you manage to get a used Oppo 105 or a bluray player with similar outputs, then you could get 8 channel lpcm. For two stereo output, even balanced stereo xlr output is possible with this Oppo.
 
Why do you even need this


Does this decode all Dolby/DTS formats to LPCM? The website doesn't seem like it does that. Otherwise, why do you need this? The TV can act as the HDMI switch and output all audio through eARC to HDMI.
It doesn’t decode any formats. I need this because I don’t have an eARC TV. So this gets me LPCM to the MiniDSP while giving me HDMI switching. (My display is a projector far away from the rest of the components.)

HDFury products are higher quality and more capable versions of this. That said I am very happy with the Feintech.

Also, I've found that most sources can output LPCM if required, so a decoder isn't needed. For example, the Apple TV, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Blu ray players all have a setting to output 8 channel LPCM. So everything gets hooked up to the TV, then eARC out from the TV to the miniDSP. This is what I can do on my Sony TV.
I believe this varies widely, and depends on your TV also doing the right thing. In my case, I use the ATV that does LPCM, but readers should not assume their own devices will always work. Perhaps share the devices you use?
 
It doesn’t decode any formats. I need this because I don’t have an eARC TV. So this gets me LPCM to the MiniDSP while giving me HDMI switching. (My display is a projector far away from the rest of the components.)

HDFury products are higher quality and more capable versions of this. That said I am very happy with the Feintech.


I believe this varies widely, and depends on your TV also doing the right thing. In my case, I use the ATV that does LPCM, but readers should not assume their own devices will always work. Perhaps share the devices you use?

I thought I needed a device like this, which is why I made this thread originally. Then I realized all of my devices can be set to output LPCM, which made this device unnecessary. I have a Sony 65X90L, which supports eARC. However, the Sony eARC doesn't work well. Using eARC makes the TV turn on 5 seconds slower. And the bigger problem is that for some reason routing my HTPC's audio through HDMI to the TV then to the miniDSP HT-x with eARC causes an occasional loud flicking noise through my speakers. If I connect my HTPC to my miniDSP with USB this problem does not happen. Because I use my HTPC 99% of the time, I decided to just keep the miniDSP on USB and manually switch source for the rare times I use another device.

I posted this because it seemed like most commonly used devices do support outputting LPCM, so an external decoder isn't necessary. All the game consoles, Apple TV, most blu-ray players can output LPCM. So I'd check that first before buying an external device.

Or just upgrade the TV! Those HDMI devices are expensive when a new TV would do the job.
 
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