Can Anyone Recommend A Good Audio - De-Embedder ?

[Jimii]

I want to purchase an Audio De - Embedder so I can use it with my Blu-ray Player as my receiver doesn't have HDMI connections. This way I can listen to the latest formats like Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio. I use a 2 ch. receiver. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[KentT]

No such thing. You'd maybe get PCM Stereo at best. Get a cheapie surround system or soundbar. Or stick to DVD discs. HDCP is your biggest issue. It will downgrade you to DVD resolution much of the time.

[Jimii]

Hi KentT
Thanks for responding. There are such things as Audio - De-Embedders. You can find them online. I've found 2. I want to know if anyone has actually used one that they would recommend. Most Blu-ray disc movies don't have a 2ch PCM Stereo mix. (concert discs do). 2ch. PCM stereo is just as good as HD Master Audio etc. as it is lossless. I want to keep my receiver as it is awesome and has a great phono in. Thanks again.

[Steerpike_jhb]

I was under the impression that such things would violate the licencing rules of HDMI & HDCP, but it seems they do exist,
eg: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/cabl ... h-at-hd570

Such rules are forcing the elimination of high-resolution analogue outputs on disc players - for copyright reasons, and this device just circumvents that. So I don't follow the logic.
But it is nice to know they exist; I'd never want to buy one of those 7 channel all-in-one receiver amplifiers that seem so popular.

[Jimii]

Thanks Steerpike_jhb
I have seen this model before but I've not heard anybodies thoughts who've actually used one. Two channel stereo is far better for music (add a good sub. even better).

[Steerpike_jhb]

I just grabbed that web page as an example. But if the device gives all 5 or all 7 channels out in analogue form, you can re-mix them to your own tastes with a simple op-amp mixing circuit before going into a stereo power amplifier - very nice flexibility that way.
I'd guess that a device like this with a good stereo amplifier (or two of such) will easily outclass almost all 'home theatre' multichannel amplifiers. Those generally have very mediocre output stages and dreadful power supplies. Both of which do far more harm to the sound than a slightly inferior DAC (which the de-embedder may have, but then again, it may have excellent DACs)

[Jimii]

Hi Steerpike_jhb
I use a 2 channel stereo receiver (high quality). I am not sure if the de-embedder will actually make much difference. It may not be worth it. I doubt they have high quality Dacs's. Whatever little benefit you gain with the lossless audio may be lost through a poor quality Dac , inexpensive connecters etc. With all the people into hi end audio I'm surprised I've not yet had a reply from someone who's used one. Thanks

[Whitneyville]

In the US, possession of one or the parts to build one will get you up to ten years in Club Fed and a $250,000 fine, unless they get you for trafficing in kiddie p**n, or terrorism, which are two of the biggest uses of these devices, as they embed p**n or coded messages with-in "boot-leg" movies. When you purchase a DVD, you promise, as with computer software, "not to decompile, "hack" source code,...in violation of the Bern International Copyright Convention of 1980...subject to local and International law..." Anyone using one better not say on a public forum they are. Terminally stupid.

[Steerpike_jhb]

I know Americans are fiercly proud of their legal system, but to some of us who live with different sets of laws and justice, sometimes your legal goings-on seem very odd!

The device in question does no more than every cheap AV amplifier sold in countless 'supermarkets'. Only this device does it with an eye to maintaining the quality of the audio. If you were not so concerned, you could get the same signals - plus distortion and noise - from the loudspeaker outputs of said cheap amplifier.

[Jimii]

Hi Whitneyville
I think you are possibly confusing an "Audio De-Embedder" with something else. It's purpose is to enable the use of certain "audio formats" when one doesn't have all the neccessary connections such as an HDMI input on your receiver. They sell them online and at some reputable sites such as "Amazon.com." I don't think it is illegal. You can't steal the audio. You have to buy the Blu-ray disc. It's just a way of listening to certain audio formats for the best sound quality when ones receiver doesn't have an HDMI input.

[KentT]

To play DTS Master Audio or Dolby True HD, you must have a decoder. Which means a surround system of some kind, you must have HDMI/HDCP. Otherwise, you will get no better than DVD resolution or Dolby Digital out of it.