I was reading about HDCD here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Definition_Compatible_Digital
and it sounds interesting:
"HDCD encodes the equivalent of 20 bits worth of data in a 16-bit digital audio signal by utilizing custom dithering, audio filters, and some reversible amplitude and gain encoding; Peak Extend, which is a reversible soft limiter and Low Level Range Extend, which is a reversible gain on low-level signals.
HDCD encoding places a control signal in the least significant bit of a small subset of the 16-bit Red Book audio samples (a technique known as in-band signaling). The HDCD decoder in the consumer's CD or DVD player, if present, responds to the signal. If no decoder is present, the disc will be played as a regular CD."
Can this 20-bit audio be played back on a computer? Maybe it depends on the software player?
Posts: 2809
Hi ggking7 - While it seems
Hi ggking7 - While it seems like 20 bit, it's actually still 16 bits. Read very carefully - "HDCD encodes the equivalent of 20 bits worth of data in a 16-bit digital audio signal"
Ye, you can play back HDCD content on a computer. My Mac and Windows servers output a fully compliant HDCD signal when playing the HDCD tracks from 16/44.1 up to 24/192.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 51
Thanks Chris. It must be up
Thanks Chris. It must be up to the software player to reconstruct the proper signal right? Do you enjoy the sound?
Posts: 2809
If you're using an outboard
If you're using an outboard DAC / Soundcard it's up to the software player to send the bits out without changing them. So, the HDCD flag gets passed untouched by the software player.
The sound is absolutely fabulous. Whether or not the HDCD flag is par of this sound or not, it's great.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile