Hdcd dsp

[schmidj]

Re: Hdcd dsp

To repeat from a post I made on this forum four years ago, one reason you see "non-HDCD" HDCD encoded CDs is that some recording engineers and producers like the "sound" of the encoder/analog to digital converter, originally made by Pacific Microsonics, so they feed audio through it even though they have turned off many of the encoder HDCD "features".

To quote from the HDCD WIKI regarding compatible playback" "HDCD encodes the equivalent of 20 bits worth of data in a 16-bit digital audio signal by using 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. There is thus a benefit at the expense of a very minor increase in noise.[3]

The claim that the encoding process is compatible with ordinary CD players (without audible distortion) is disputed: not being able to decode the peak soft limiting, a normal CD player will output distorted peaks.[4] "

You might find the Hydrogen Audio WIKI on HDCD of some interest - https://wiki.hydrogenaud.io/index.ph...atible_Digital

If the Wikipedia WIKI is correct about peak distortion (and I have no way to prove or disprove it), and your player does not have the built in decoder, you might find it desirable to use the decoder DSP built into dBpoweramp, but realize that the audio file can no longer be made into a bit perfect copy of the source CD. If you care about bit perfect rips, then you could keep two copies, the original bit perfect rip, and the decoded version to listen to, subsequently processed through the dBpa converter using the DSP decoder codec.

[Partha]

Re: Hdcd dsp

no clue what happened there. I don't use HDCD DSP, even on my HDCDs (because I want a bit perfect rip, and ripping via the DSP you no longer have a bit perfect rip). I could later convert my rips to other versions using the HDCD DSP, but I've found it is rarely worth it because many HDCDs don't actually use the HDCD features that make a difference (e.g, Peak Extension).

Thanks

[garym]

Re: Hdcd dsp

I must point out that I did not, the HDCD DSP did. The same dsp leaves 16-bit normal CDs as it is, but for SACDs it decided to decode to 24-bit.

no clue what happened there. I don't use HDCD DSP, even on my HDCDs (because I want a bit perfect rip, and ripping via the DSP you no longer have a bit perfect rip). I could later convert my rips to other versions using the HDCD DSP, but I've found it is rarely worth it because many HDCDs don't actually use the HDCD features that make a difference (e.g, Peak Extension).

[Partha]

Re: Hdcd dsp

Depends on how you define success. All you did was rip a 16/44.1 file to 24bit. That's basically meaningless (just a larger size file containing the same audio info).

I must point out that I did not, the HDCD DSP did. The same dsp leaves 16-bit normal CDs as it is, but for SACDs it decided to decode to 24-bit.

[Partha]

Re: Hdcd dsp

Unlikely as one would have to have an old sony playstation with correct firmware to even try to do it. The makers of SACD disks do NOT want them ripped.

since when has that stopped us?

[garym]

Re: Hdcd dsp

True. Does dbpoweramp have plans to decode SACD in future, or even make a .iso file? Or are there copyright issues?

Unlikely as one would have to have an old sony playstation with correct firmware to even try to do it. The makers of SACD disks do NOT want them ripped.

[Partha]

Re: Hdcd dsp

True. Does dbpoweramp have plans to decode SACD in future, or even make a .iso file? Or are there copyright issues?

[garym]

Re: Hdcd dsp

But it did rip to 24 bit, so some small success I guess...

Depends on how you define success. All you did was rip a 16/44.1 file to 24bit. That's basically meaningless (just a larger size file containing the same audio info).

[Partha]

Re: Hdcd dsp

SACD is not the same as HDCD. Some (most?) SACD CDs have a redbook (16/44.1) layer that can be ripped just like a CD, but you're not ripping the SACD layer. The HDCD DSP has nothing to do with ripping in the example you give. It is rare to be able to rip a SACD. (Can't be done with dbpoweramp).
See:
https://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthr...el-CD-SACD-rip

But it did rip to 24 bit, so some small success I guess...

[garym]

Re: Hdcd dsp

Hi, just continuing to understand the HDCD function. I ripped the Dire Straits Brothers In Arms 50th anniversary SACD using the HDCD DSP (without +6db checked) and it ripped to 24 bit 44.1 khz. Ripping it again, I added a 96 khz resampling to the DSP. However, the file ripped only to 16 bit 96 khz. Is there no way to get 24-96 rips from an SACD? Is the default 44.1 and adding another DSP reduces the rip to 16 bits? will you please check?

SACD is not the same as HDCD. Some (most?) SACD CDs have a redbook (16/44.1) layer that can be ripped just like a CD, but you're not ripping the SACD layer. The HDCD DSP has nothing to do with ripping in the example you give. It is rare to be able to rip a SACD. (Can't be done with dbpoweramp).
See:

https://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?39962-Multi-Channel-CD-SACD-rip

[Partha]

Re: Hdcd dsp

Hi, just continuing to understand the HDCD function. I ripped the Dire Straits Brothers In Arms 50th anniversary SACD using the HDCD DSP (without +6db checked) and it ripped to 24 bit 44.1 khz. Ripping it again, I added a 96 khz resampling to the DSP. However, the file ripped only to 16 bit 96 khz. Is there no way to get 24-96 rips from an SACD? Is the default 44.1 and adding another DSP reduces the rip to 16 bits? will you please check?

[Partha]

Re: Hdcd dsp

why are you using HDCD DSP *and* the bit depth change. If it is a HDCD cd, the HDCD DSP will change the bit depth. So why both? No reason to change the bit depth of a regular 16/44.1 CD.

yup

[garym]

Re: Hdcd dsp

Also, If I am changing bit depth while ripping, should I put the HDCD plugin before or after the bit depth change (usually last in chain).

why are you using HDCD DSP *and* the bit depth change. If it is a HDCD cd, the HDCD DSP will change the bit depth. So why both? No reason to change the bit depth of a regular 16/44.1 CD.

[Partha]

Re: Hdcd dsp

Ok

[Spoon]

Re: Hdcd dsp

Normal CDs are untouched, no voloume changes.