Originally Posted by Mr_Sukebe
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; 2015-04-29 18:24. Reason: Split quote in to sections to aid reading.