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Topic: HDCD Decoder (Read 326154 times) previous topic - next topic
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HDCD Decoder

Reply #325
Also, I don't get why the Foobar status bar shows a 24-bit bit depth for HDCD tracks, yet the Foobar column says 16-bit and my Audiophilleo1 transport only detects 16-bit. Is it because I am using WASAPI in Windows 8 as my output?


I figured out how to get my transport to receive all 24-bits. You have to go into Foobar's Advanced options and set the HDCD decoder to Halve output volume Always. This makes me think the only way to get bitperfect output is via this method when using the HDCD decoder. The Foobar column shows the source bit depth by using %__bitspersample% and the Foobar status bar shows the output after the HDCD decoder processes the source file when using the same %__bitspersample%

HDCD Decoder

Reply #326
I figured out how to get my transport to receive all 24-bits. You have to go into Foobar's Advanced options and set the HDCD decoder to Halve output volume Always. This makes me think the only way to get bitperfect output is via this method when using the HDCD decoder. The Foobar column shows the source bit depth by using %__bitspersample% and the Foobar status bar shows the output after the HDCD decoder processes the source file when using the same %__bitspersample%


However, if you are using the SimPlaylist addon and create a custom %__bitspersample% column, it will show the output instead of the source bit depth, just like the status bar.

HDCD Decoder

Reply #327
Hi Kode54,

I am having an issue decoding lossless HDCD to another lossless codec or to WAV. If I convert a track to WAV I have "Additional decoding" unchecked, yet the WAV file loses the HDCD encoding. If I delete foo_hdcd.dll and restart fb2k to decode the same file with the same converter settings, the HDCD encoding is intact when I reinstall foo_hdcd.dll. Do you have any idea why this is happening? It seems like postprocessing decoding is happening whether the box is checked or not.

Using version 1.15
Surf's Up!
"Columnated Ruins Domino"

 

HDCD Decoder

Reply #328
I discovered that with tracks from Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense  - Special New Edition the output level is halved in the middle of the track when "Only if peak extension is enabled" is selected. The Scan for HDCD tracks reports that some songs have intermittent peak extension on some not at all (disabled).

Moreover, Beck – Beck contains only one HDCD track (without peak extension).

These (exceptions) require another approach for halving the output level, probably tag based. Else, 'Always halve the output' seems to be the one I need.

Oh well...

Cheers,
Adriaan.

HDCD Decoder

Reply #329
Hi Kode54,

I am having an issue decoding lossless HDCD to another lossless codec or to WAV. If I convert a track to WAV I have "Additional decoding" unchecked, yet the WAV file loses the HDCD encoding. If I delete foo_hdcd.dll and restart fb2k to decode the same file with the same converter settings, the HDCD encoding is intact when I reinstall foo_hdcd.dll. Do you have any idea why this is happening? It seems like postprocessing decoding is happening whether the box is checked or not.

Using version 1.15

That would be beyond my control, as that setting is supposed to be observed by all postprocessed inputs, unless something recently broke in the converter.

HDCD Decoder

Reply #330
What is the probability of detecting presence of HDCD coding erroneously? I mean - how possible is that foo_hdcd reports HDCD coding erroneously on tracks that aren't HDCD encoded? I found one double CD compilation that shows surprisingly as HDCD (but not every track - ca 8 from 34 tracks aren't displayed as HDCD). It is soundtrack from PSP game Ridge Racers, released in Japan. It was released twice. First release appers to be HDCD encoded in foobar, but second edition is shown as simple Audio CD... I can't just bitcompare them as newer edition has audio signal placed after several samples of silence (audio tracks begin just several samples later than in previous edition, or it's just case of different ripping settings). That tracks that are detected to be HDCD encoded doesn't use any HDCD features - PE is disabled, TF is disabled, gain is 0,0 dB... What should I think about it?



HDCD Decoder

Reply #333
I can't just bitcompare them as newer edition has audio signal placed after several samples of silence (audio tracks begin just several samples later than in previous edition, or it's just case of different ripping settings).


Why can't you edit the start points to match and then compare them?

HDCD Decoder

Reply #334
As far as I know you don't say about internal function of bitcomparator. So you think that I should edit tracks in some wave editor?

HDCD Decoder

Reply #335
Could someone please explain to me the consequences of setting the "halve output volume" parameter to Never for HDCD encoded track with peak extension feature present? Does it effectively disable the peak extension?

HDCD Decoder

Reply #336
As far as I know you don't say about internal function of bitcomparator. So you think that I should edit tracks in some wave editor?


If the album is in AccurateRip, you can check both; if the same track-by-track checksums show up but with different offset, then they are different pressings of the same master.

HDCD Decoder

Reply #337
.. "halve output volume" parameter to Never for HDCD encoded track ..? Does it effectively disable the peak extension?

No it doesn't. In foobar2000 the whole decoding and DSP chain is floating point.
So at the output stage you have the combination of decoded input, replaygain, (preamp setting) and DSP chain (I might forget something). If you worry about clipping caused by peak extension, put the "advanced limiter" at the end of your active DSPs and you're good.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.

HDCD Decoder

Reply #338
Hi,
When I try to download foo_hdcd.dll 1.15 from the official foobar repository I get redirected to the main foobar program download page. Has foo_hdcd.dll disappeared?

HDCD Decoder

Reply #339
works for me. i *think* the links on the page might be dynamically generated and may expire after a certain time. perhaps you had the page open for a long time before clicking download?

HDCD Decoder

Reply #340
i *think* the links on the page might be dynamically generated and may expire after a certain time.


It is exactly like that. I know it from my experience  . Waiting half a day before clicking "download" gives results described by GeSomeone.


HDCD Decoder

Reply #342
What's strange?

The left channel is OK(?), but the right channel becomes 4 dB quieter than it should be.

Also, standalone hdcd.exe doesn't detect HDCD encoding.

HDCD Decoder

Reply #343
Sometimes this is how they are recorded. Right is lower on kode54 add-on, but maybe voice is panned onto that channel latter in the song? When I have time maybe I will test it on one of my hardware HDCD players.

HDCD Decoder

Reply #344
I've had the same problem with the album lvqcl mentioned.

HDCD Decoder

Reply #345
I found an album where foo_hdcd works very strange.


Haven't actually listened to it, but if I deduce from the title that this is the Genesis track, maybe Robert Fripp incorporated his Frippertronics even in the HDCD encoding  Anyway, I heartily recommend the SACD version.


HDCD Decoder

Reply #347
I've been testing with my own CD's a bit and something strange is going on. Replaygain is on (album/apply gain). I've listened to Asia/Asia (2010 Gold HDCD) and Boz Scaggs/Speak Low (2008 HDCD) through headphones and both are reproduced considerably louder than "normal" CDs, even though I've set "Halve Output: Always". How can I check if HDCD decoding is being done, because I get a feeling that it's not ("Scan for HDCD tracks" produces results on both discs). I've cleared the DSP for the test.

Update: For shits and giggles I installed foobar2000 1.2 and lo and behold, now my statusbar shows "HDCD 24bit". I deduct there is a bug in the current 1.2.4 processor. 1.2.3 works correctly, too.

My statusbar script:
$if(%ispaused%,Paused,Playing) | %codec% | %bitrate% kbps | %samplerate% Hz | $if(%__bitspersample%,%__bitspersample% bit | ,)$if(%__hdcd%,HDCD | ,)$caps(%channels%) | %playback_time%[' > '%length%]

Update update:
Could someone please notify the powers that be that this seems to be a core bug, since we are in the 3rd party forum

HDCD Decoder

Reply #348
Seems to be fixed in 1.2.5b1.

HDCD Decoder

Reply #349
So since I don't really want to read 14 pages here, can anyone tell me what settings I should use to try to decode the HDCDs? Or do you just have to play around with it to get the best settings? I'm entirely new to this.

I read elsewhere that none of the decoders use the filters, do they not make a big difference?

And finally, could I use this plugin with a WAV rip of an HDCD? SInce I'd like to use EAC to make sure it's accurate and all.