RE: Digital Audio Switcher

["Kevin Hawkins" <lists@xxxxxxx>]

Rob,

    This is very much a solution aimed at just switching
audio signals that
are originating as a digital source, e.g. the output of a CD, DVD,
SliMP3,
Audiotron,  or some digital TV boxes e.g. Sky+ or the Nokia units.
The
output is then fed into a suitable amp that has a digital input (most
modern
AV amps). The switch handles both stereo and Dolby encoded multichannel
audio from reading the spec. The AV amp would have to handle the decoding
to
analogue and of course the amplification and distribution to speakers.
I
have found that digital cables (coax) can be quite long without any
noticeable signal degradation. If you did use the switcher to source to
3
different amps as it would allow then volume control has to be provided
by
the amps - there is no level control within the switcher.

    Most AV amps do not have multi-room capabilities with
some exceptions,
Denon and Harman-Kardon for example. When they do handle this multi
room
set-up they often only provide a second line level output which has
individual source selection meaning that you may need a second amp (and
a
KAT5 link). The 7 channel AV amps now appearing have started to allow
re-assignment of speaker channels to second, or more zones. The Denon
A1SR
for example. Often two digital sources can not be assigned to different
zones though as there is only one decoder in the amp. Often a tape
output
pair can be used to provide a separate zone.

    One of the other applications for these switches is for
jukebox type CD
players. If you had two jukeboxes (or more) then you have to manually
switch
the amp between them dependant on which one you were using (if using
the
digital outputs). This switcher does away with that in that it
autoselects
the source for you depending on which CD is playing. If you have a big
CD
collection that is in some way automated then this was a solution. The
Nirvis DXS was the product made to complement the Slinke interface
which
allows connection, cataloguing and control of Sony CD changers from a PC
or
web interface. This is not as easy as it sounds as a paused digital
source
e.g. a CD still generates a bitstream and so appears active to most
other
switchers.

    If you are after audio and video matrix switching then
you need ( in
fact we all need ) the KAT5 switcher !!!!

    In my set-up here I have several matrix switches
RGB/Component (4x8),
S-Video(4x4), Video (8x8)(6x1), CCTV (8x2)(10x1), Digital audio DXS
(12x8)
and Audio (32x32)(20x2)(12x2) - divided as needed to stereo or multi
channel. I could get rid of them all (except perhaps the digital) with
one
or more KAT5 units depending on the number of channels the final unit
may
provide. Best of all control would be on one unit and one protocol ! At
the
moment it's a nightmare. Mistake I've got so many - I bid in three
overlapping eBAy auctions to win one and won all three.  I don't use
them in
anywhere near this configuration but that's their capability. I'm going
to
talk to Keith soon about some custom KAT5 modules to route my KAT5
stuff
through them too although this introduces a level of unnecessary
conversion.

    Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From: BUTLER, Tony, FM [mailto:roaming@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 30 October 2002 09:12
To: 'ukha_d@xxxxxxx'
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Digital Audio Switcher


  > OK so this switcher could receive the digital input of say
a
  > DVD player
  > and I guess also a CD player or Audiotron?

  Yes.

  > It would send the signal to one/all of the AV Amps. Do I
  > assume that AV
  > amps can decode a digital signal from a CD or Audiotron,
negating the
  > need for an Audio DAC?

  The AV amp would need a digital input to decode digital data - I'd
be
  surprised if you can still find amps without them theses days.
  However, don't be confused between CD digital data, which is still
just
  stereo (usually) and Dolby Digital or other such surround
format.
  If the amp can't decode these formats then you need to decode them
off
board
  and feed them to the AV amp - assuming it has inputs for
externally
decoded
  audio that is.

  > How do you use an AV amp in a multiroom environment? i.e
Can

  Depends on the amp :-)

  > one AV amp
  > supply two rooms using the front and rear outputs and more
importantly

  unlikely.  Some amps (eg Onkyo's) come with a separate set of
speaker
  terminals to feed another room.

  > This unit switches audio(?) what about distributing the
picture? I
  > assume you still need Keiths KAT5 units?

  That would still seem to be the case, yes.

  > Does the Tivo units output digital? (Still not taken mine
out

  Nope.

  > of the box

  Shame on you!

  HTH,

  Tony


 
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