*Official* Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 thread - Page 214

Originally Posted by Chalupacabra

I've been very much on the fence for awhile now about this card and, as I'm looking for something to tweak around with over Golden Week, am considering picking one up soon, but I want to make sure I have a couple of things right as opinion seems to be mostly split.

I know that there are no questions here that haven't been answered already, but the answers have been contradictory, so I'm hoping to get a solid yes or no about what I'm looking for. First off:

Things I understand (or as I understand them) about the HDAV 1.3:
-This does not function like a SA BR player, and should not be expected to.
-It's a tweaker's card, and likely always will be. There is tinkering involved.
-There are compromises between TMT versions. TMT3 is easier, OEM allows for precise tweaking.
-TMT 3 will downrez decoded audio to 48/16 for LPCM HDMI output
-The architecture of the hardware is quirky, but pretty damn impressive.

Things I am still uncertain about regarding the HDAV 1.3 (due to disagreements and disputes in this thread):
-In the Deluxe model, can full rez audio be sent via the analog outs?
-Can the ASUS OEM TMT decode TrueHD/DTS-HDMA to LPCM (over HDMI) with no downsampling (set manually)?
-When setting to "speakers" does this mean everything is decoded, or are legacy formats (original DD and DTS) passed along?
-When set to 5.1/7.1 speakers or "speakers" rather than "digital", what happens to native LPCM tracks on the BR disc?

As my pre/pro (Denon A7100) does not decode DTS HD-MA and DD TrueHD, I'm looking for an option to do the decoding on the HTPC side and stream out LPCM to my pre so it can do the D/A converting. I honestly wouldn't care if it decoded everything to LPCM, as long as it was consistent and pleasant to hear.

Stand alone player options in Japan suck, and while I like the PS3, I have to be honest and say I've come to enjoy keeping the physical media on the shelf and just flipping through my movies on the HDD and am willing to accept a bit of compromise to that end.

Unfortunately, certain BR discs are just not cooperating with my current config (Iron Man, for example) and all I'm getting is stereo. This is regardless of whether I use the SPDIF output of my Onkyo SE200PCI or the HDMI audio out on my HD 4850. Even the 5.1/7.1 option in TMT 3 only yields stereo feed to the A7100.

If the HDAV can get me the HD Codecs decompressed to full rez LPCM on HDMI (with all channels present and accounted for), then a little tinkering is worth it to me. Hell, even getting everything via analogue would be a step up from stereo-only LPCM. I've seen so much contradictory information on this topic though. One person will say it works, then in come "no it doesn't" flames...lather, rinse, repeat. There are a lot of people who seem to have really worked this thing over through and through (Davinleeds especially) and know exactly what it can do, so I'm hoping I can get a definitive answer from someone who understands what this card can and can't do.

So, to cut to the chase, taking into consideration that there will be manual tweaking regarding the frequency and bit format, can this thing be set so that I get proper LPCM over HDMI via the non-integrated ASUS TMT and at least the proper channels via TMT 3 (bitstripped if the disc is over 48/16) regardless of whether the BR track is TrueHD, HDMA, or LPCM? If I can get that, it's completely worth it.

Originally Posted by Mark_A_W

Situation 1: Analogue Out. As you describe, this just works.


Situation 2: HDMI Audio only (after an audio upgrade): Eek I already use both VGA outputs. One drives the projector, one drives a monitor. Does this mean the HDMI output would be disabled? Can't it just do audio with no video?




HDMI is a nightmare. I'm not using it for video (messes your levels), and looks like I'm not using it for audio...ever.

Seems I'd be paying a premium for a card with HDMI...that I couldn't use even if I upgraded the audio side of my system.

I just want a Xonar DX with Deluxe upgrades

Originally Posted by Jinjuku

Does the Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe obviate my need for a receiver that does Dolby-HD/DTS HD? Is the HD Audio decode done at the Xonar?

Can I go straight out from the analog outs to a 5 or 7 channel amp setup?

Originally Posted by cybrsage

Excellent news. That is actually what I wanted to hear.

Originally Posted by Mark_A_W

Situation 1: Analogue Out. As you describe, this just works.


Situation 2: HDMI Audio only (after an audio upgrade): Eek I already use both VGA outputs. One drives the projector, one drives a monitor. Does this mean the HDMI output would be disabled? Can't it just do audio with no video?




HDMI is a nightmare. I'm not using it for video (messes your levels), and looks like I'm not using it for audio...ever.

Seems I'd be paying a premium for a card with HDMI...that I couldn't use even if I upgraded the audio side of my system.

I just want a Xonar DX with Deluxe upgrades

Originally Posted by Davinleeds

See this statement by zixnus, last sentence - what you want.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...0#post16316460

Originally Posted by Davinleeds

The hdmi input, even though it doesn't need actual video, unlocks the hdcp/pavp requirements for the HD audio codecs for hdmi. However, from his statement I get he didn't need to connect hdmi to get audio out the analog.

Originally Posted by Davinleeds

I don't know if it's new, but this from Warner to trade your HDDVD for BD and you get to keep your HDDVD disk. I think I will participate for those that TMT 3 won't play correctly.
@slysoft:
http://forum.slysoft.com/showthread....719#post192719

Originally Posted by Jinjuku

Does the Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe obviate my need for a receiver that does Dolby-HD/DTS HD? Is the HD Audio decode done at the Xonar?

Can I go straight out from the analog outs to a 5 or 7 channel amp setup?

Originally Posted by Jinjuku

It seems that the answer is yes. The Xonar will decode and send it on out to the amps. Woo Hoo!

Originally Posted by Mark_A_W

This whole DRM/HDCP/PAP debacle is infuriating. Particularly when the whole house of cards is completely cracked anyway. Why do they force these stupid hardware restrictions down our throats when the discs are now completely unprotected??

Originally Posted by ArcSoft_Jason

Legitimate piracy concerns (anyone dispute it's happening at a frightening rate?) regardless of the defense's effectiveness and more importantly raw fear.

Personally, I think they overplayed their hand and were naive about how effective it could be in the long haul against pirates and how quickly tech companies could meet the spec. But I do think a level of security that prevents casual copy/exchange was probably a necessary evil--something to the level of DVD perhaps.

(Cheers to the music industry for accepting they can't stem the tide and selling MP3s! I refused to purchase DRM protected music for years on principle and finally bought a bunch of stuff from Amazon last year. I feel the same way about Blu-ray today. I try to vote with my $.)

Originally Posted by cybrsage

.........we are not most users, we are the cutting edge who want to wring every last drop from our purchases.

Originally Posted by cybrsage

Most legitimate users play their movie through a standalone player. Most will never run inot a drm problem.

We are not most users, we are the cutting edge who want to wring every last drop from our purchases.

Originally Posted by Rew452

While I tend to agree, but the stand alones do run into problems too and require updates to play some new disc's.

Originally Posted by ArcSoft_Jason

Is this true? They'd killed the key for a legitimate hardware player in a case other than the hardware key being hacked? (I haven't heard of a case like that yet.) There are certainly hardware player issues, but I'm not so sure it's directly related to DRM key management. Could be wrong tho...

Originally Posted by jalyst

Ah the man likes a challenge! ;-P
Yes of course that's the case but at least if everyone's broken up into their respective OS families the 'noise' so-to-speak is reduced and we'll all have a much greater chance at "seeing the forest for the trees"

For those not familiar with the expression:
http://www.bartleby.com/59/4/cantseethefo.html

It doesn't have to be threaded quite so much, could have for e.g.

(1) HDAV1.3 / HDAV1.3 Deluxe
(a) Win 7 (w/wo MC)
(a) Vista/XP (w/wo MC)
(a) GNU/Linux, BSD's etc
(b) Hardware/Fw (e.g. opamp/fw upgrades)
(?)
(?)

(2) HDAV Slim
Similar to (1)

I'm not quite sure where the best home for this sub-forum would be and what exactly it'd be called.
I do know that it should probably be called something more generic than: "Asus HDAV cards"...

I think one level closer to the root index, straight under "Home Theatre Computers" might be the most appropriate home.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26

As always I'm open to other peoples thoughts...
But be forewarned, if you totally disagree and you don't (imo) give a clear reason, then a challenge will be forthcoming! jk ;-P



There's a thread, yes.

Originally Posted by jalyst

I'm guessing by the lack of response no one cares about trying to compartmentalise discussion around these cards?
Guess it works fairly well in it's own kind of way the way it is now...

Originally Posted by ArcSoft_Jason

Personally, I think they overplayed their hand and were naive about how effective it could be in the long haul against pirates and how quickly tech companies could meet the spec. But I do think a level of security that prevents casual copy/exchange was probably a necessary evil--something to the level of DVD perhaps.

Originally Posted by Davinleeds

I'm still learning the VMC, but it asks or you should choose the display it opens in.

Just a guess, but the desktop is primary? Just a throught, but open TMT3 app itself. Where does it open? If on display, reduce size if fullscreen, drag to Samsung, click full screen, then close.

Start VMC, which opens on Samsung?. TMT3 is there in VMC? Click that a see if opens full. Just a wild guess.

PS: You have full screen checked in TMT3, I don't and it opens but try it.

Originally Posted by HTPCat

I am for it....but we really need to get a mod to assist with this.

Originally Posted by livetoflyfish


Harman Kardon 354 Receiver

I plan to buy another short 1.3a HDMI cable and give that a try. If this works, I'm a little surprised the cable that came with the card isn't good enough. Any suggestions on a brand that is easily obtainable at a national chain store?

Any other suggestions?