Outputting Multichannel sound via HDMI - revisited
Outputting Multichannel sound via HDMI - revisited
- Subject: Outputting Multichannel sound via HDMI - revisited
- From: "Simon Thorpe" <email@hidden>
- Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010 18:00:53 +0100
- Importance: Normal
Hi again,
Back in February, we had a discussion about how to output Multichannel
sound. We learned that all the new Macs would come with the ability to
output 8 channel 24bit PCM audio at up to 192 KHz. After some attempts at
seeing whether connecting a MiniDisplay + USB or Optical link to HDMI
convertor to a earlier Mac model and concluding that they don't work, I
recently bought one of the new Mini Macs that comes with an HDMI
connector.
I first tried it with a 2008 model Onkyo home theatre amplifier - no luck,
it wouldn't play multichannel sounds, just stereo. Then a 2009 model Onkyo
amp - again no luck. The Audio Midi Setup utility found the Samsung LCD TV
on the other side of the amplifier, but that was only in Stereo.
Finally, I changed the amplifier to a recent Pioneer VSX-920 amp and,
miracle, it all works. The Audio Midi Setup allows me to select between 2
channel and 8 channel modes, select 16, 20 or 24 bit and up to 192 KHz,
assign the speakers etc. Great - just what I hoped for. Easy multichannel
audio from a Mac with just a standard HDMI connector.
If anyone knows what the requirements are for CoreAudio to communicate
with a multichannel amp via HDMI it would be useful. I guess it may be
that it needs to be compatible with HDMI V1.4a (true for the Pioneer, but
not for the older Onkyo models). One solution would be just to provide a
list of models that actually work.
But, now that I can potentially output 7.1 channel audio, I'm pretty much
stuck because of the fact that multichannel audio recordings that can be
played on a Mac are effectively non existent. iTunes will happilly play
multichannel recordings but the only stuff you can buy from the iTunes
store is stereo. Other sources such as Spotify, Deezer etc are all stereo
only. If anyone knows of a place where I can get hold of multichannel
recordings, I'm definitely interested...
Simon Thorpe
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