TOPIC:

I don't think Shield can decode more than 2 channels to PCM.  I would assume the same for Apple TV unless I had solid evidence otherwise.

xrqp wrote:

I don't think Shield can decode more than 2 channels to PCM.  I would assume the same for Apple TV unless I had solid evidence otherwise.

I don't know who is right but this suggests otherwise:

(2) Decode audio to multi channel PCM : ShieldAndroidTV (reddit.com)

I posted there and asked the poster to support the statement.  I hope he does. 

I am trying to recall back when I researched this, including on the Shield web site, and I am fairly sure I found definitive data that it only does 2 channels.  

discussions.apple.com/thread/253542352

​​I saw enough people complain that it only does multichannel PCM... so I guess that should work? Unfortunately I can't try my Shield before I have a MiniDSP, if I should go that route.

Also this:
www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndroidTV/s/BTKVikis9T
To me that's pretty clear. The Shield decodes to multichannel PCM if you want it to.

Also this:
www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndroidTV/s/BTKVikis9T
To me that's pretty clear. The Shield decodes to multichannel PCM if you want it to.

It does not say that "The Shield decodes to multichannel PCM".  It just describes the properties of cables and codecs, which is important since the Shield can do "passthrough" for them.

Also, the Reddit post a few posts above has retracted the statement and now says it CANNOT decode Dolby to multichannel PCM, and it does NOT list any multichannel codecs that it can decode to multichannel PCM.

I don't have Apple TV so I am not looking as closely at that info, but it seems the link you gave does not say anything about decoding.
 

xrqp wrote:

I cannot figure out how to get commercial movies to play surround sound as LPCM over HDMI or over USB.  Has anyone figured out how to do either?  Does any equipment exist that can do this? 

I tried for 2 hours to see if Nvidea Shield Pro can do this, and it seems it can only do stereo to LPCM. I am not sure.

Thanks.

It seems you would need a processor to decode Dolby (up to Atmos) and DTS (up to X) to feed the HTx using the RCA/XLR analog inputs  The cheapest options ive found was the Denon X3800H (11.4) and Emotiva BasX MC1 (13.2) and Tonewinner AT300 (16 channel)

I was hoping the HDFury VRROOM would decode and output multichannel LPCM but it does not. 

q2klepto wrote:

It seems you would need a processor to decode Dolby (up to Atmos) and DTS (up to X) to feed the HT/HTx multichannel PCM through RCA/XLR.  

PCM is a digital format and the Flex HT/HTx doesn't have an AES/EBU input so I don't think you quite meant what you said there. You were probably just thinking about decoded analogue multichannel outputs from an AVR? Another option just for this would be a Marantz Cinema 70s (I have one). It's 7.2 but then the HT models are only 8 channel.

Yeah but how are you going to input the decoded analog signal into the MiniDSP Flex HT? With the HTx that would be possible, but you'd be losing even more quality.

Seriously MiniDSP, please give us a version with decoder? That should boost sales tenfold... we're all struggling on how to integrate this device into our systems. The use case for the device as is is nearly not there, especially with the Flex HT. Also, look at how people are willing to buy an expensive AVR that costs more than the MiniDSP, just to be able to use it. Is there any thought spent on a MiniDSP Flex HT with decoder? Is it impossible? I really wonder, because other, smaller (in terms of electronics) manufacturers of electronics like Nubert or Canton are able to produce very similar devices, cheaper, that do support all sorts of surround formats. Their DACs aren't good enough and their DSP isn't nearly as powerful, but apparently it seems possible to support Atmos etc.?

@xrqp: How did you connect everything? Does your TV support eARC? Did you use certified HDMI 2.1 cables? Without either you're probably not going to get MC-LPCM...

IF your TV supports eARC and LPCM passthrough, all you probably need is an Apple TV 4K. If your TV doesn't play along, you'll also need a HDFury Arcana.

@Ultrasonic: Do you mean the Cinema 70s? There's the Stereo 70s with HDMI (but no surround?) and the Cinema 70s. That's almost the perfect device (but I would only get either the MiniDSP or the Marantz), however the DACs used are pretty bad according to Amir (at least in other, more expensive devices that use the same DACs) and room correction is also not good. But taking the analog signal of the meh DACs, digitalizing it, modifying it, and then converting it to analog again... that's seems far from ideal.

Ultrasonic wrote:

q2klepto wrote:

It seems you would need a processor to decode Dolby (up to Atmos) and DTS (up to X) to feed the HT/HTx multichannel PCM through RCA/XLR.  

PCM is a digital format and the Flex HT/HTx doesn't have an AES/EBU input so I don't think you quite meant what you said there. You were probably just thinking about decoded analogue multichannel outputs from an AVR? Another option just for this would be a Marantz Studio 70s (I have one). It's 7.2 but then the HT models are only 8 channel.

 

Yes sorry those processors will decode Atmos/DTSX and will able to feed in HTx via RCA/XLR (analog signals). It wont work for HT since its input is only HDMI.  I'll update my post so that this method would work with HTx (not HT) 

Is this correct?
 

That should be it.

I've just tried to get 5.1 PCM out of my Shield Tube. I could not get it to work in Netflix, according to my HDFury Arcana. I tried by deactivating all audio formats. The Shield has a Stereo to 5.1 PCM upmix option, but still nothing. However what worked was Kodi, if I disabled bitstream. Then the Arcana would tell me 5.1 PCM.

Unfortunately not having Netflix etc. do surround is a dealbreaker... and I doubt it even more that the TV is able to output 5.1 PCM. So I guess the only option is Apple TV?

kadajawi wrote:

@Ultrasonic: Do you mean the Cinema 70s? There's the Stereo 70s with HDMI (but no surround?) and the Cinema 70s. That's almost the perfect device (but I would only get either the MiniDSP or the Marantz), however the DACs used are pretty bad according to Amir (at least in other, more expensive devices that use the same DACs) and room correction is also not good. But taking the analog signal of the meh DACs, digitalizing it, modifying it, and then converting it to analog again... that's seems far from ideal.

Sorry, yes I did mean Cinema 70s! I've only bought it recently, and just for movies/TV/gaming so the highest quality DACs isn't a major concern. I send the front left and right channels on to the analogue input of my SHD but for music the SHD is a digital source. The only amp channel on the Cinema 70s I'm using in the center channel, with the rear being active speakers. If there had a been a cheaper AV pre without the power amps I'd have bought it.

Edit: I have a 2x4 HD I'll probably use in conjunction with the Cinema 70s for the subwoofer channel. I'm hoping Audyssey will be OK at sorting time delays and possibly levels but I'll explore things manually using REW if needed. Guessing/hoping I can make manual adjustments on the Marantz although realise as I type this I haven't checked this!

What I'd personally encourage miniDSP to make is a proper AV pre-amp i.e. not just some an audio device but one that would also handle full HDMI 2.1 video signal passthrough. This may involve various things rather outside the scope of their current team though - not that I have actually know.

Yeah for movies audio quality isn't of the utmost focus, but I'd prefer to have it a little neater, with one device handling all. I do like your route of using the Cinema 70s going into the 2x4 or something like that though. Then for music I could make use of the MiniDSP as DAC (probably the regular flex?), and for movies I'd need to switch on the Cinema 70s and get better room correction thanks to the MiniDSP. Not sure how user friendly the switching would be though. Also I'd miss on ART (or fake ART...).