Supported audio formats

NOTE:

• Gefen HDMI to HDMI Plus Audio converter, (SKU: GTV-HDMI-2-HDMIAUD, UPC: 845344056111) only supports multichannel analog output for LPCM 5.1 audio input.  It does NOT output analog for compressed audio formats.
  
  See pages v and 8 in the manual
  http://www.gefen.com/pdf/GTV-HDMI-2-HDMIAUD.pdf
• Atlona HD570 will only supports multichannel analog output for LPCM audio input.  It does NOT output analog for compressed audio formats.
  
  See the Atlona product page - https://atlona.com/product/at-hd570/
  "This audio de-embedder supports uncompressed analog LPCM 7.1, 5.1, 2ch through the multi-channel analog outputs. On the optical output it supports Dolby Digital, LPCM 2CH and DTS signals. Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio pass through HDMI connection without being de-embedded."

When you play the file on your laptop, unless your sound hardware is set to bitstream the audio output, it is decoding the AAC or AC3 and outputting multichannel LPCM.  That's why the Gefen box can decode it to analog.  It also does not work when audio is bitstreamed from a capable computer-based player, as bitstreaming does the same thing the BrightSign player does - it passed the encoded audio directly out to the device, rather than decoding it first.

When you play it through the BrightSign player, the player doesn't decode the audio, so the encoded AAC or AC3 goes to the Gefen device which cannot decode encoded audio.

The Gefen manual states this on page v, "This product does not decode audio formats."

It does not work when sent multichannel AAC, Dolby Digital/AC3, DTS, or other encoded audio sources when sent from a hardware Blu-ray/DVD player (that isn't set to downmix to stereo), or a BrightSign player in Pass through mode.

Depending on your situation, it may work to use multiple BrightSign players using BrightWall or synchronized presentations, each outputting two channels of audio.  Your audio will need to be split into separate stereo files.

Aside from the fact that support for AAC audio is only offered when encoded at a constant bit rate is ridiculous (how hard can it really be to include support for variable bit rates?), could you take a moment to spell out VBR and CBR on this page so that the people who are in the field and using these products don't have to guess at what you mean? Thanks.

what is the max bit rate for audio only playback using HD223?

Can you please recommend a compatible decoder for use with XD233 to pass-through embedded AC3 audio file. Thanks in advance.

Hey there, since Dolby Digital (AC3) 5.1 audio  isn't supported by Adobe CC2018 anymore, can you name another 5.1 Codec that works? I have tried several without any luck. Dolby Digital used to work great.

If you looking for an external surround decoder to wire up powered speakers
try this device. it works perfectly.
SpeaKa SP-4916328 audio extractor

LS423:
Can I play any uncompressed multichannel audio file (wav, flac) through an external surround decoder? how much channels player can handle?

Hi Ivo

Did the speka device work with AC3? And exactly what format and bitrate did you use to make it work?

I have testet with a Goobay HDMI 4K2K 7.1 Audio Extractor. But that obviously not supporting AC3 even though it says so on multiple websites.

Thanks in advance

Hi Jon,
Yes the Speaka audio decoder works smoothly with AC3 audio
I produce 5.1 AC3 from seperate uncompressed wav mono files using Apple's Compressor surround tool or with a multiitrack session in Adobe Audition.  usually 48Khz 448kb/s
combine them with a MPEG2 or H265 encoded CBR videostream. No H264 (mp4 wrapper) as it has no support for AC3. This might be the reason you don't get audio decoded. The Goobay should be able to decode dolby AC3.  checkout TMPEG Smart Renderer great tool the produce and combine video-audio streams.
best, Ivo

Thanks. 

The Speaka worked like a charm. Did'nt have any trouble at all.

Made an mpeg 2 video in 35 mbps and used an AC3 audio track of 640kbit in mode 3F2R/LFE.

Then i combined the two tracks in TSmuxer. Worked at first try.

So the conclusion is that some of these boxes like the goobay are just a piece of crap :)

/ Jon

Hi Jon or Ivo,

I try with HD224 player and Speakea decoder.

My file is mpg file with AC3 but not working.

Which player do you use ?

Thank you

Remi

HI Remi,
I use multiple players like HD220, XD233 with success
So I think the problem is in your data or your surround receiver.
I think the HD224 is not that different from the rest.

I don't own a HD224 (yet) do do a real life test
but i'm happy test your file on my setup

once I had a problem connecting my Speaka decoder to a projector
It was a "4k" projector and I didn't force the resolution to HD so the brightsign player used 4k resolution as it's HDMI handshake. The Speaka decoder does not support that resolution so it didn't parse it through.

Best

Ivo

I found my problem !

Only this parameter...

Merci

Hello,

I am looking to create a 6 channel sound installation using the SpeaKa SP-4916328 audio extractor and a XD223 BrightSign player. Basically, I want to use the LFE channel as a 6th normal speaker channel so it would be a 6.0 set up. 

Do any of you know how this might be achievable?

I have tried with an AC3 file paired with MPEG 2 as suggested above, but the LFE channel is always silent. I'm new to all this and can't figure out what is happening. 

Thank you,

Jack.

Hello Jack.
if your channels in the AC3 are properly produced the LFE channel should be audible when connecting your active subwoofer system to the SW output. some movies have minimal low frequency events or are they are very low in volume. In BrightAuthor your audio is set the go pass through?
Ivo

@Jack McCombe

Hi,

I use it in 3 stereo channels (multi-language).

It's work for me.

Hi Ivo,

Perhaps I'm not understanding you or I haven't explained myself well enough:

I only have 6 active speakers (no sub) and I am simply wanting the SW out to be another sound channel rather than low frequency. 

Are you saying that if I place a normal soundtrack in the LFE track in Audition, for example, it should play out the speaker I have attached to the SW out on the SpeaKa SP-4916328?

Best,

Jack

Hi Remi,

How would I produce it this way? With one BrightSign player and in BrightAuthor? Are you using the SpeaKa SP-4916328?

Thanks!

Jack

Hello Jack, sorry now I get your point.
The Speaka decoder doesn't do any filtering as far I know.
So the problem might be caused by the software creating the surround file. probably your LFE track by default cut's off the higher frequencies.
Did you tried to combine your tracks with Apple Compressor Add Multichannel Surround group tool to export it as a generic AC3? don't use any low-pass filtering in the export settings.

Ivo

Hi Ivo,

I had already tried this yes. It did result in some sound coming through the speaker I had plugged into the SW out, but it seemed only to be low frequency sounds... and not the full track.

Bit of a mystery...

Hi Ivo,

how did you set the passthrough for the HDMI AC3 output?

my hd223 doesn't pass the audio through the hdmi and

i can't find any command in brightscript to force that...

thanks,

marcel

Hello Marcel,
You need to set that in Brightauthor in the Media property - advanced tab - AUDIO -> passthrough
also you need to check this for presentation properties as Remi noticed
choose Mixed Audio PCM/Compressed

Hi Ivo,

How did you solve it for a 4K signal?

Thanks

Hello Alfonso,
I'm not sure I understand the difficulty.
for 4k (or UHD) you need at least a HD or XD 4 series
You can combine an AC3 file with a H265 encoded mp4, that works!

output from Brightsign's HDMI or Toslink to the surround receiver
If you need to use a HDMI audio extractor make sure it's supporting the 4K signal.
cheers

Ivo

by the way your surround receiver also needs to support the 4K signal
if you use it straight from the Brightsign, otherwise a 4K capable audio extractor will do.

Hi Ivo, thanks for the answer.

I usually work with the Speaka, but now I need 4K and it can´t handle it.

Do you know any other extractor which works with 4K, or use the Toslink to extract it?

Thanks!

Is there a list of still available for order (also in Europe) on short notice?

We once tested the Speaka SP-4916328 but it had noise.

We succesfully and always using the Extron SSP7.1 but in this project like Jack McCombe we want to use the SUB channel as a normal speaker but the Extron is filtering the low frequenty of the 6th channel. I just send out a support request to Extron in case they can help. But we are on a deadline here and want to address multiple alternative options. The content is not filtered we have checked. Content can be downloaded here (2,9Mb)

https://wetransfer.com/downloads/d42ce7898b2c8a7cd6783eac356a337c20200501094214/059c96cbe7ca67735ea911491b6bc61720200501094214/4364a4

We also tried dolby digital plus 7.1 audio (Because the Extron is 7.1 capable) but that doesn't work either:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8mq2yut7n2ir0b8/h264_ddplus.mov?dl=0

We are using Genelec active speakers and Brightsign HD224

Thanks

To clarify my fist question: Is there a list products still available for order (also in Europe) on short notice?

Additional information:
Resolution video 1920x1200px
We prefer to use optical audio output from BrightSign

Hi,

We have been in contact with Extron Support today regarding the SSP7.1 sound processor. They cannot disable or change the bypass filter on the sub channel.

They not planning to update the firmware because it is an outdated product

Seems like we cannot use the processor like we intended. Any suggestions would be kindly appriaciated

Kind regards

Hi Alfonso,
this is the '4k' version of the audio extractor with optical output
https://www.conrad.com/p/speaka-professional-audiophono-extractor-aluminium-hdmi-hdmi-toslink-3840-x-2160-p-1549722?searchTerm=%20%20%20%20%20%20Artikelnummer%3A%201549722&searchType=suggest&searchSuggest=product

https://www.conrad.com/p/speaka-professional-audiophono-extractor-aluminium-hdmi-hdmi-toslink-3840-x-2160-p-1549722?searchTerm=%20%20%20%20%20%20Artikelnummer%3A%201549722&searchType=suggest&searchSuggest=product