5.1 Audio on HD300; Specifically PCM, WMA and FLAC

[PAF]

Hi all, I've been trying to get details on what benefits the HD300 has over the HD200, which I already have when it comes to audio.

The biggest pain point with the 200 was obviously the DTS-MA, DTS-HD, DD-TrueHD and DD+, which all of these can now obviously be bitstreamed to a receiver.

Another issue I have noticed with the HD200 and HD100 for that matter, the extender always had issues play 5.1 FLAC, 5.1 WMA/WMA-pro and 5.1 PCM. Does anyone know if any of these 3 formats are now support/working with the HD300? I'm especially curious on the 5.1 FLAC and 5.1 PCM as I have a quite a few music tracks in this format.

[stanger89]

I believe with recent firmware 5.1 flac and PCM are supported. At least "BD" sourced/compatible versions.

[RNRGAGNE]

Originally Posted by PAF

Hi all, I've been trying to get details on what benefits the HD300 has over the HD200, which I already have when it comes to audio.

The biggest pain point with the 200 was obviously the DTS-MA, DTS-HD, DD-TrueHD and DD+, which all of these can now obviously be bitstreamed to a receiver.

Another issue I have noticed with the HD200 and HD100 for that matter, the extender always had issues play 5.1 FLAC, 5.1 WMA/WMA-pro and 5.1 PCM. Does anyone know if any of these 3 formats are now support/working with the HD300? I'm especially curious on the 5.1 FLAC and 5.1 PCM as I have a quite a few music tracks in this format.

It does support multi-channel FLAC, not sure about PCM but can't see why it would do one and not the other.

It does convert FLAC to MPCM I think up to eight channels IIRC.

[PAF]

Is it confirmed (someone actually played this) that the HD300 will output 5.1 PCM when fed 5.1 FLAC or is this what it just says on the specs?

The reason for this question is that the HD200, although granted doesn't have 5.1 PCM, could theoretically support 5.1 FLAC and PCM but the functionality was never added.

Sorry, if this is blunt but I just don't want to set expectations for myself and then be disappointed.

[cncb]

Originally Posted by PAF

Is it confirmed (someone actually played this) that the HD300 will output 5.1 PCM when fed 5.1 FLAC or is this what it just says on the specs?

Yes, I have some 5.1 FLAC files that I created from DVD-Audio discs and the HD300 sends 5.1 PCM to my AVR via HDMI. This is one of the reasons I got the HD300 (my HD200 would "downmix" to 2-channel). Not that it should make a difference, but I have only tested the extender mode and not standalone playback.

[PAF]

WOW, this is fantastic! These features are hard to come by unless you're going to buy expensive AV streamers. Kudos to SageTV on this one.

Im curious now if a 192Khz/24bit output from the HD300 actually puts out a 192Khz/24bit PCM and if so, I'm crowning this thing the best audio streamer out there.

[Taddeusz]

Yes it does. I don't know specifically about 192/24 audio but I do have some 88.2/24 and 96/24 stereo flac files and some 96/24 5.1 DTS files that play superbly in their full resolution on my HD200. I'm sure the HD300 will work the same.

[Nelbert]

Originally Posted by PAF

WOW, this is fantastic! These features are hard to come by unless you're going to buy expensive AV streamers. Kudos to SageTV on this one.

Im curious now if a 192Khz/24bit output from the HD300 actually puts out a 192Khz/24bit PCM and if so, I'm crowning this thing the best audio streamer out there.

Hehe, I applaude your enthusiasm, but personally I'd hold back the crown until the music interface is slicker. Tbh i think anything needing a monitor/tv display to select the music doesn't really count as an audio streamer.