What's the best digital format?

[artl]

Excellent tutorials, Paul. I just discovered your channel and am learning so much even though I’ve been an audio enthusiast for over 50 years. Thank you so much.

[interupt]

One of the best things about an external i^2s interface is the ability to designate master/slave clock without a dedicated word clock, e.g. having a downstream device be designated as master. Anything to help jitter with the best clock in your digital chain.

[mtz]

Hello Paul,

Thank you for this clear explanation of I2S. I have a DAC with an I2S input and after some research i found an I2S pcie card fot my computer. I can only say that you are completely right in preferring the I2S format. It sounds great. No need for reclocking and so on.

Best regards,

Mark

[microteche]

Damn I was trying to slim down my you tube channels and then I find this awesome channel. thanks Paul now subscribed

[heliommm]

Thanks, Paul, for the wonderful (as usual) explanation and congrats for the HDMI idea!

[printzapper]

I have that same Phillips (relabeled Magnavox)cd player you described. It has filtered, unfiltered, and the single RCA digital out you described. It has that famous 'Crown" DAC chip, and the ability to program the sequence of songs played on the CD. FTS was I guess EPROM because it produced an address that was permanent unless programmed to be erased. I've since moved to a Marantz, which is a big improvement.

[AntonBogomolov]

One of the most interesting episodes so far! Kepp it up please!

[JoeJ-]

I don't think this video quite answered that question as I think it gets interpreted when seeing the actual title of this video, but nevertheless, this video definitely IS very interesting and informative as to the deeper, more technical aspects of how digital data works and how it is or can be transported among the different conponents of an audio system... I think he might be onto a great future expandable idea using an HDMI cable for that! Hopefully it can be utilized by enough companies to become a new standard for better digital data transfer among future audio components! We'll see...

However, with that being said, when I first clicked on this video, I was under the impression, (from the video's simple title), that it was answering the question of which digital *recording* and playback *format* is "best"... But THAT, in and of itself, is a VERY debateable topic, and would definitely end up being a MAJOR "can of worms" to try and tackle in only one of these relatively short videos!

Maybe this video should have been more accurately titled "What's the Best Digital *Interface* ?" (based on the exact details of that listener's question and the resulting info presented here)

[brianf.burkejr.]

SPDIF came out originally with a hookup that was the same as an RCA connector, they only started using Alesis optical interface later on, commonly called ADAT, it was originally a proprietary optical audio connection for audio. I have never seen an HDMI(High Definition Media Interface) ADAT (PH006) is really much better. So maybe you should think again before using HDMI. Here is an article from Sweetwater Sound about the ADAT connection. it is rather pedestrian and much more detailed articles can be found using Google.

Specifications for ADAT I/O Interface.
Article #21320 Updated on Apr 27, 2007 at 12:00 AM
The ADAT Interface (PH006) is an interface that links the Alesis ADAT to supported Digidesign systems.Features: Up to eight channels of live digital audio input and output between Session 8 PC or Pro Tools and the ADAT. Machine control and sample-accurate playback for up to sixteen ADATs. Fast eight channel backup of Session 8 sessions.FRONT PANELPower Switch, Power LED: I = on, O = off, green LED.Online LED: Yellow LED illuminates whenever an ADAT is on-line with Session 8 PC or Pro Tools.Lock LED: Green LED flashes when Session 8 is attempting to sync an ADAT and illuminates when they are locked.BACK PANELOptical In/Out: Fiber Optic ports for Alesis proprietary optical digital audio transfers.Sync In/Out: 9-Pin female serial ports for Alesis proprietary sync for timing and machine control.Computer 1 & 2, Peripheral 1 & 2: 50-Pin female connectors allow connection between the I/O card and Interface(s).4/8 Button: Selects Interface type (single 882 Studio Interface or 882 I/O Interface = in, dual 442 Audio Interfaces/S8XL = out).Slave Clock In/Out: 2 BNC female connectors for 256x sample rate clock in and out.Word Clock Out: BNC female connector for 1x sample rate clock out.MIDI In/Out: Standard 5-pin female MIDI connectors for SysEx communication between Session 8 and ADAT.AC Power: Standard modular AC connector. Auto power selecting power supply (100V-240V). Hope this helps...remeber, research can save you time and money when developing tecfhnologies for your own company.

[giannislarch]

Hello, and Congratulations
Mr Paul McGowan
for the nice topics, and the relaxing and at the same time comprehensive way, of analyzing all these subjects regarding audio/music procedure!!
I love electronics, audio-video equipment, ICT, ... and beyond the scientific interest, the way they helped us to live better, and enjoy among other things..MUSIC. :)

[miltonfriesen]

Superb explanation! A great format that hopefully has come of age for the near future for all manufacturers. Only concern is there isn't a standard for connector or wiring scheme so alternate brands can be mixed. I guess the tinkerer has to figure it out if they want to stray from product brands?

[jeremiahchamberlin]

Excellent explanation, learned a few details to the story that I’ve always wondered about.

[jn]

Paul, Topping DAC now uses your IIS Hdmi cable. I have no idea if I can connect my SACD player HDMI output to this IIS jack on the back of the Topping DAC 70. The manual says nothing about this.

[postersm]

HDMI is high definition multimedia interface

[omgror]

Simple CAT5e can transfer 100 megabit of data up to 100 metres with no errors. It costs pennies per metre. Why would you need a more expensive cable for a much lower bandwidth single like digital audio?

[juliaset]

Standardizing on one cable and connector format is a win-win for everybody, IMHO. Just look at the mini-USB connectors, or the wall wart power supply connectors. I have many devices that use the mini USB, but they each seem to be slightly different and will not fit each other’s connectors even though USB is all the same. We also need connectors to have a lock to keep them connected properly, like XLR.

[Pnut-qdem]

So im guessing you could add a i2S to any transport or cd player if you find the right pin outs and wire a hdmi or rj45 jack on the back ?

[dustys]

FLAC lossless is my format of choice. 24 Bit 192 KHz.

[COLOMBIACONTEMPORANE]

id love to visit you someday and
talk a lot about sound, a big greetins from latinamerica. your work is so nice.

[thomshere]

Awesome video! I am learning much, much, much. Your videos are priceless really and I thank you so much for having them. :)