fix coming for b&k, meridian, superdac, et al

[seanadams]

Using an analyzer, we found the problem, and after two weeks of calling
Micronas every single day, they have provided a fix.

New firmware coming this weekend. Confirmed fix for b&k - expected to
fix all other s/pdif receivers.

The problem was an inverted "validity" bit in the s/pdif data stream,
which is totally wrong according to the official spec even though most
receivers play the stream anyway.

As an interesting side-effect of this - I've figured out how to
manipulate the s/pdif output as needed to support non-PCM formats, eg
DVD-audio, so we should be able to do tricks like 5.1 audio as well.

Thanks to everyone who reported this and helped to narrow down the
problem.

[Roy M. Silvernail]

Sean Adams said:

> New firmware coming this weekend. Confirmed fix for b&k - expected to
> fix all other s/pdif receivers.

Cool! Maybe it will make my CheapAss(tm) DAC happy, too.
--
Roy M. Silvernail is roy (AT) rant-central (DOT) com, and you're not
http://www.rant-central.com is the new scytale
Never Forget: It's Only 1's and 0's!
SpamAssassin->procmail->/dev/null->bliss

[Jason Snell]

>New firmware coming this weekend. Confirmed fix for b&k - expected
>to fix all other s/pdif receivers.

Will this also fix the cut-off-sound-on-MP3s problem, or is that a
separate issue?

>As an interesting side-effect of this - I've figured out how to
>manipulate the s/pdif output as needed to support non-PCM formats,
>eg DVD-audio, so we should be able to do tricks like 5.1 audio as
>well.

Yippeee! :-)

-jason
--
Jason Snell / Editor in Chief, Macworld / jsnell (AT) macworld (DOT) com
415-243-3565 / AIM-iChat: MW jsnell

[seanadams]

On Feb 27, 2004, at 11:39 AM, Jason Snell wrote:

>> New firmware coming this weekend. Confirmed fix for b&k - expected to
>> fix all other s/pdif receivers.
>
> Will this also fix the cut-off-sound-on-MP3s problem, or is that a
> separate issue?
>

No - separate issue. Long answer: I'm actually maintaining two branches
of the firmware right now... one for the current stable release and a
second version, a fairly major update, which is scheduled for release
in about six weeks and will have this fix. For now, I can only put
little things into the current firmware.

>> As an interesting side-effect of this - I've figured out how to
>> manipulate the s/pdif output as needed to support non-PCM formats, eg
>> DVD-audio, so we should be able to do tricks like 5.1 audio as well.
>
> Yippeee! :-)

Of course, we're also going to have to figure out how to actually make
use of this feature. I've never tried ripping DVD audio myself and it's
probably illegal anyway due to CSS+DMCA.

[Jason Snell]

Thanks for the update on the firmware updates, Sean.

>Of course, we're also going to have to figure out how to actually
>make use of this feature. I've never tried ripping DVD audio myself
>and it's probably illegal anyway due to CSS+DMCA.

Well, technically people can create AC3 files using various apps,
legitimately. Not that they would.

I know Windows Media supports 5.1 audio, so that would be an
interesting test of transcoding.

And, yes, I have ripped AC3 files from music DVDs I own. (Shocking!)
But you're right, Sean, that is in violation of DMCA, so Slim Devices
should just support AC3 audio and leave it up to us renegades to take
advantage of it...) :-)

-jason
--
Jason Snell / Editor in Chief, Macworld / jsnell (AT) macworld (DOT) com
415-243-3565 / AIM-iChat: MW jsnell

[Peter Speck]

On 27/2-2004, at 19:08, Sean Adams wrote:

>
> Using an analyzer, we found the problem, and after two weeks of
> calling Micronas every single day, they have provided a fix.
>
> New firmware coming this weekend. Confirmed fix for b&k - expected to
> fix all other s/pdif receivers.

Works now with my SuperDAC 2496. Thanks for spending time on this
problem!

----
- Peter Speck

[Andrew W. Donoho]

On Feb 27, 2004, at 12:08, Sean Adams wrote:
> Using an analyzer, we found the problem, and after two weeks of
> calling Micronas every single day, they have provided a fix.
>
> New firmware coming this weekend. Confirmed fix for b&k - expected to
> fix all other s/pdif receivers.


The new firmware works great for S/PDIF input to my Edirol MA-20D
Digital Desktop Monitors. This makes a nice sounding, sleek package -
SqueezeBox and two 20W digital monitors. Very crisp sound.

Andrew


____________________________________
Andrew W. Donoho
awd (AT) DDG (DOT) com, PGP Key ID: 0x81D0F250
+1 (512) 453-6652 (o), +1 (512) 750-7596 (m)