New AppleTV this weekend -- impressions

[Cave Man]

That's my question...so my receiver is decoding MP3 and AAC files? I don't think so. So the ATV is decoding the MP3 and AAC files to PCM?

You are connected to your receiver by the RCA connectors or the optical connector? My understanding is the RCA is a decoded (analog) signal only, while the optical port can do pass-through (digital). (Someone please correct me if this is wrong.)

I'm sure there are receivers that can decode digital MP3 (since car stereos can do it), but I am unaware of any that can decode AAC 5.1. AC3 yes, but not AAC 6-channel.

You might try downloading files from this page to see if you're getting 5.1:

http://www.diatonis.com/downloads_dts_ac3.html

I can't try it because my ATV receiver is an older DPLII model that can't do DD or DTS. (My home theater is run by a Mini with an Onkyo 5.1 receiver.)

Presumably, the optical port on the ATV will do passthrough - the passage of the audio data in its native code. Apple's DVD Player app does this (but it's not on the ATV) and is used for DTS and DD 5.1 on computer (i.e., Mac) based audio systems connected to receivers that can decode these formats. Perhaps SunRiser can add to this?

 

[bootamac]

Well I purchased a Airport Extreme Base station and my "wireless" streaming problem went away.

Randy

 

[Duffinator]

Caveman, I took this audio conversation into another thread here.

 

[SunRiser]

My understanding is the RCA is a decoded (analog) signal only, while the optical port can do pass-through (digital). (Someone please correct me if this is wrong.)

Both optical and RCA are digital connections, some even say that the RCA is a better digital connection than the optical for short cables...

I didn't try the pass-through with RCA but you can't do it from any mac because their digital output is optical only.

About AAC 5.1, I never hear about any receiver that can actually decode it. If you wanna get the 5.1 from the HD trailer from Apple (the only source of AAC 5.1 that I know), you need to re-encode it into a codec that your receiver support (AC3 come to mind) or buy a special audio device (m-audio i think) that have discreet output (6 RCA out) that you will connect to your discreet in of your receiver (RCA in) if it has this feature.

 

[SthrnCmfrtr]

Both optical and RCA are digital connections,

Um, what? The Apple TV's RCA audio outputs are analog.

some even say that the RCA is a better digital connection than the optical for short cables...

Does it make the digital audio sound "warmer"?

 

[SunRiser]

Um, what? The Apple TV's RCA audio outputs are analog.

i was talking about the rca digital connection found in receivers and dvd players. It's one RCA instead of the two analog stereo output found in aTVs.

About the quality of cables, the rca should be better for short distance as the digital signal will be cleaner. but I'm not a specialist.