Wow WindowsXP Media Player decodes... (1 Viewer)

[DarrylWHarrisJr]

It decodes HDCD..nice feature!

 

[BillSherbon]

Actually, Windows Media Player only "detects" whether a CD is HDCD, but it doesn't actually "decode" the extra bits from the HDCD encoded CD. Check out these links:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/wi...owsxp/music.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/wi...xp/whatsnew.asp
Link Removed
Note how in the links they never use the word "decode", they deliberately use only the word "detects". You'd think since MS bought the company that developed HDCD, their player would decode but unfortunately it doesn't.
Bill

 

[Wayne Bundrick]

So who's got a sound card with 20-bit DACs to hear the difference?

 

[BillSherbon]

20bit DACs ...

M-Audio (midiman.com) has a nice line of cards with 24bit DACs. A lot of HTPC folks are using either the Audiophile 2496 or the Delta 410. There are even drivers in development for the 410 that allow for bass management, re-direction, etc... To me this seems fairly significant since you could then not have to use a preamplifier / pre/pro - it would be nice to be able to upgrade software instead of a receiver or preamp everytime a new home theater format comes along.

I actually haven't used either of the above soundcards, but I recently installed the 1010LT soundcard (also 24bit/96khz) in my living room computer and use it to feed the 5.1 inputs of on my receiver.

Bill

 

[Artur Meinild]

You'd think since MS bought the company that developed HDCD, their player would decode but unfortunately it doesn't.

And is that lame or what... Micro-shafted again I guess.

 

[DarrylWHarrisJr]

i thought that myself...why buy something you don't use...then again, as we collect dvd's we have yet to use.......