|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
209.97.232.184
In Reply to: Re: Thanks for posting these graphs posted by Christine Tham on December 24, 2005 at 12:12:00:
You are amazing in your persistence in being wrong. You must love to be wrong. Repeat after me:THE PATENT IS NOT THE PRODUCT.
THE PATENT IS NOT THE PRODUCT.
THE PATENT IS NOT THE PRODUCT.
Please refer to the operating manual for the Pacific Microsonics Model Two HDCD encoder:
==========
Low Level Extension is an average signal level based low level compression / expansion
system used on HDCD 16-bit amplitude encoded recordings which very gradually raises
gain a preset amount when the average signal level drops below a preset threshold. During
HDCD 16-bit decoded playback the compression curve is expanded back to linear gain by
the HDCD decoder using a precisely mapped inverse of the compression curve controlled by
a hidden code, producing a dynamic range and resolution floor beyond 16-bit. During
undecoded playback low level information normally lost by standard 16-bit players is preserved,
providing more accurate timbral and spatial reproduction.
There are two modes of Low Level Extension, “Normal” and “Special”. Normal mode begins
to affect the input signal 45 dB below peak level, gradually raising the gain 4 dB as the
level drops over an 18 dB range. Special mode begins to affect the input signal 39 dB
below peak level, and gradually raises the gain 7.5 dB over a 26 dB range.Use of Low Level Extension is optional in the HDCD 16-bit encoding process.
==========Since you apparently have a problem with reading compehension, I will repeat this last point:
USE OF LOW LEVEL EXTENSION IS OPTIONAL IN THE HDCD 16-BIT ENCODING PROCESS.
Follow Ups:
You seem to have a real aversion to reading the patent, but prefer to quote from a specific implementation.If you did read the patent, you may realise what the patent refers to as "low level gain manipulation" refers a broad number of things, including low level extension. It is not a synonym for low level extension.
Anyway, the proof is in the empirical results, which you have ignored. Again, based on my experience, the WMP HDCD decoder seems to manipulate all HDCD content, regardless of whether specific features are engaged or disengaged.
If you can find a specific HDCD disc that passes through the WMP HDCD decoder unscathed, then perhaps you may have a point. But I'm willing to bet you can't.
Christine wrote, "HDCD is defined by the patent, not the implementation."Yep, I'm pretty sure that's the way it works in real life.
There they are in the mastering studio, getting ready to create the master for their new album. The band is there, the producer is there, and the mastering engineer there, all working hard to make the best product they can. The studio is equipped with a Pacific Microsonics Model Two A/D converter (which along with the Model One is the only way there is to make an HDCD disc).
They are debating which settings to use, and then someone shouts, "STOP! We have to check with the patent!"
So they go on-line and download the patent. They discuss it for a while and then agree, that even though there are menu options for turning "low level extension" on and off, and even though these options are explained in the manual, that they MUST NOT turn off "low level extension". After all, that's what it says in the patent.
Tell me something, Charles, have you ever been in a recording studio? Have you been involved in mastering any recordings? Do you actually have any idea at all what constitutes "real life" in a studio?
One of my best friends (whom I have known for over 30 years) is a well-established recording engineer. His credits include Alanis Morissette, Ringo Starr, and Dada. I have sat in on several recording sessions with him.I have also sat in on mastering sessions with George Marino (Sterling Sound), David Glasser (Airshow Mastering), and Gus Skinas (Super Audio Center). If you haven't heard of these guys, do a Google search and see what you find out.
So yes, I do have an idea of what constitutes "real life" in a studio. And I must say that not once in all my times in a studio has someone been concerned about looking up a patent, even though in some cases these people were actually using an HDCD encoder. Funny, that.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: