TOPIC:

Hi Dev team,

Is there going to be a BM plugin forthcoming for Nano users or has development stopped with the 88A?

Hello

Unfortunately, no timeline at this point. The amount of processing done in the 88A is a LOT more than the nanoAVR can handle I'm afraid (not the same DSP power at all). So exact same feature won't be technically possible. We rarely talk of the future though..

DevTeam

While I am sure the Dev team is considering all possible options, it seems to me that a simple high/low pass PEQ and channel mapping for low-bass ahead of the DL filters is really enough. That would cover the vast majority of users needs for BM. In my case a mapping for low bass to LR mains (as I have no sub) and to the .1/sub channel for others that do employ a sub, would render most of the arguments against the position of Nano in the signal chain moot. Although I have not actually had any issues using bass steering in my AVR after the Nano in my own system, it would be advantageous if that feature was offered by MiniDSP and I would buy and implement a plugin or modified DL Calibration tool. I suspect that this product would be a lot more popular with this feature as well. TIA

@ Scintilla

Indeed, we're trying to see what's possible and thanks again for your feedback.
We're just out of a major product dev (88BM) so we're just taking a bit of time to review other outstanding task. Adding BM (even if it's only filters) still takes some resources. We'd need to figure out what's really possible.

Devteam

Just wanted to comment that I'd buy a nano avr DL if this feature was implemented. I've been holding off on the purchase hoping something like this would come out soon, also was hoping to see a revB with HDMI 2.0a and HDCP compliance so that it can pass through the 4k signal to the TV uninterrupted. I understand it can't pass Atmos due to the PCM requirement, but passing through the video unimpaired would be a big plus as well.

Thanks!

FWIW it's easily possible to cascade a nanoAVR DL with a nanoAVR HD/HDA.

No idea about HDMI2 but the workaround is to use the DDRC-88BM. Seem to be satisfied users doing this for e.g. Atmos on the massive owner's thread on avsforum.

I had been debating taking that approach as well with the dual nano solution, but figured if there was a plugin or software update it wouldn't cost an extra $250 to implement in that matter. Also have been reluctant to go back to HDMI 1.4a because then I'd have to get yet another device (HD Fury or something similar). Thanks for the suggestion.

I keep considering the 88-a with BM, but I don't have an external amp and really don't see the need for one as I'm satisfied with the power my Pioneer SC-95 puts out. I'm also quite low on space in my media console. I keep coming back to it being the better option though so I guess it depends on how/if BM is implemented in the nano avr and if it comes out before I decide.

I guess I'm one of the few (many?) who'd pay the 88-a or higher price for a version of the nano AVR that can pass decoded signals, handle BM and support 4k. Dream product suggestion would be a "not nano" AVR DL similar in size to the 88a but has 5 hdmi inputs and 1 out with Dirac, atmos support pass through etc...

I'm not really sure but I wouldn't have thought that HDMI will carry an Atmos bitstream and PCM at the same time - ?

yes it's too bad that AVRs don't seem to have the pre-out/amp-in connectors any more.

I saw in another post that the minidsp support confirmed it wouldn't be able to due to the proprietary licensing needed. The media device has to be set to PCM in order for the nano to get the signal: Quote from dev team:
"@ Contrabass Bry

Unfortunately we can tell you for certainty that it's not possible on the current hardware. ATMOS would require a Dolby License and decoding on the chipset (at least 2 x SHARC required). I'm afraid that it won't be possible.

The nanoAVR only support PCM feed. i.e. you can't feed an encoded stream to it. It won't work. It need to be decoded by the player first. (very common to output PCM)

DevTeam"

I imagine there are all kinds of complexities they would face trying to get atmos to work due to managing the extra channels in the signal. I'd just like it to pass it through as I don't care all that much to use Dirac on the height channels, but know that's still a popular option for many. Still I get that would be quite an expense to accomplish and a lot of work for the team.

Even the old AVR's with preouts and multi channel in's I was told wouldn't work with the 88a because the internal amps won't work while outputting signal to the preouts at the same time. Could be wrong though as I've never tried it and unfortunately don't have the equipment to try it out myself. An Oppo bluray in the chain would work, but it'd limit you to only being able to use it for correction.

Either way to get back on topic as the OP stated even simple bass management in the nanoavr with a 2.0A hdmi port (just to pass video unimpaired) would open the doors to a lot more customers IMO.