Thanks Joe for the report. But now you are responsible for getting my hopes up on DTS:X and Dolby Atmos support on 861 this year!
I just hope that 861 will get the CPU power it deserves going forward to provide for high-frequency positional updates when moving soundobjects for an extra smooth Meridian quality experience (like the Trinnov Altitude 32 does) as well as inline upsampling since everything still looks to be 48KHz for some time...
Quote
The first DTS:X Blu-ray discs are expected to hit the market before the end of the year, while the first DTS:X enabled gear will be available this summer.
DSP8000SE, DSP7200SEHC, DSP5200SE sides, DSP7200SE rears, 861v8, 210, Sim2 Ultranero 4, Stewart Cinecurve 2.35:1, XEIT CM-5E Anamorphic lens, Dune HD Duo Cinema 8K and Wireworld Platinum 48G HDMI -> UHD722 -> Shunyata Omega Ethernet. Shunyata/Furutech power-cables/filters. SR Master Fuse@861v8. Uptone Etherregen with 10MHz OCXO clock.
At this time, I'm reminded of something that John Bamford told me years ago about a technology that Rhonda Wilson was developing (before she left for Dolby). Essentially to change, in a multi-channel system, which speakers you want to be the front L/R etc. In essence, you can "rotate the axis" of the room. Complete speculation of course.
But I wonder if increased channel "flexibility" (including the psycho-acoustically important height channels) is going to make an appearance. Atmos etc. might just be part of a more general multi-channel revamp.
Roon Developer and ex-moderator of this Forum I am #25 in the HH1 photo of fame.
Whatever happens I suspect the 861 is going to need a serious 'processor' upgrade, probably built into any new cards that will be required for the 'new formats' 300 MIPS is just not going to cut it in my opinion
Strikes me that there's two key things at stake here, i.e. - MQA - DTS X etc.
Ref MQA, sounds like this will require a new plug in card. If that's the case, can we please have one that is compatible with 861 units back to the v4, as I'd be very interested.
Ref DTS and the other surround formats. The impression that I've been given is that the key required changes are probably:
- Sufficient processing (CPU) hardware to support any increase in calculations. Do we actually know there that it will be more complex? Sure, it's a new format, but doesn't automatically mean it'll be more complex.
- New firmware software for the unit to support what is potentially three new formats.
- New output boards to support additional speakers. Clearly the existing 861 can already support 7.1, i.e. 8 channels. Will it be as easy as just stuffing more output cards into the same chassis? If that is what's required, it there sufficient space and power to support the additional cards?
Would be interesting to know answers to the above.
861v4/ID40/LPS, HD621, Roon, BAT VK-600se, Impulse Ta'us. Director/Heed Canamp with HD600s.
It's going to need to be more than a processor upgrade. At the very least, it will need the ability to decode Atmos and then several more channel of output, likely 16 if it wants to represent. If they provide analog support, it's a crowded back panel, assuming the commensurate # of speakerlink connections. Should be interesting. Some have suggested processing is done at the HD621 level, which should assume a considerable upgrade there.
Primary: MD600, MS200 (SpeakerLink to AES), Trinnov ST-2, Ayre V6-xe, Salk SS8 3x LRC. Secondary: MC600 (whole house). Zone one: 568.2, G57, MS200, Spatial Hologram M2SE. Zone 2-6 (Awaiting assignment).
Strikes me that there's two key things at stake here, i.e. - MQA - DTS X etc
Ref MQA, sounds like this will require a new plug in card. If that's the case, can we please have one that is compatible with 861 units back to the v4, as I'd be very interested.
Doubt it as the 861v4 was a dead end after the last upgrade for LPS and ID40, but then again it was a dead end before that! so never say never.
Originally Posted by Mr_Sukebe
Ref DTS and the other surround formats. The impression that I've been given is that the key required changes are probably: - Sufficient processing (CPU) hardware to support any increase in calculations. Do we actually know there that it will be more complex? Sure, it's a new format, but doesn't automatically mean it'll be more complex
I think so, my understanding is that currently we have discreet channels of sound that the processor sends out, with Atmos it is a single channel of audio with position information for sound eg: 'gunshot top left', 'helicopter overhead moving front to back' this information is passed to the processor and then the processor has to figure out how best to handle that based on the speaker configuration it has, this would use more processing I think?
Originally Posted by Mr_Sukebe
- New firmware software for the unit to support what is potentially three new formats.
I think this is a given.
Originally Posted by Mr_Sukebe
- New output boards to support additional speakers. Clearly the existing 861 can already support 7.1, i.e. 8 channels. Will it be as easy as just stuffing more output cards into the same chassis? If that is what's required, it there sufficient space and power to support the additional cards?
It is possible that the output cards would be replaced and new cards provided with additional outputs, or as you say add on output cards provided, if new cards were provided they could include daughter boards with additional processing on to spread the cpu load?
Originally Posted by Mr_Sukebe
Would be interesting to know answers to the above.
Cheers Russ
Last edited by Carl; 2015-04-2918:24. Reason: Split quote in to sections to aid reading.
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