New VIA Vinyl VT1818S and VT1828S HD Audio Codecs

[Apoptosis]

New VIA Vinyl HD Audio Codecs and CyberLink PowerDVD Offer Full-Rate Blu-ray Audio

VIA Vinyl VT1818S and VT1828S HD audio codecs transform the PC experience, bringing unparalleled quality to 24-bit/192 kHz high-definition audio playback and recording

via_vinyl_vt1818s.jpg (15.84 KiB) Viewed 6721 times

Taipei, Taiwan - May 27, 2009 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today unveiled the next generation of VIA Vinyl HD Audio codecs, the VIA Vinyl VT1818S and 1828S, with support offered by CyberLink in their latest award-winning DVD player software, CyberLink PowerDVD.

The leading Blu-ray Disc and DVD playback software, CyberLink PowerDVD provides enhanced high-definition audio through the embedded VIA Vinyl HD VIA Vinyl 1828S Audio codecs, which also support Blu-ray Disc audio content protection, allowing for optimal audio output. Without content protection support, audio quality is dramatically reduced to that of a regular CD with a sampling rate of only 16-bit/48kHz.

Optimized for low power consumption, the VIA Vinyl VT1818S and VT1828S codecs integrate four and five 24-bit stereo digital-to-analog converters (DAC) respectively, along with two stereo analog-to-digital converters (ADC), supporting audio sample rates up to 192 kHz and delivering exceptional audio quality to even the VIA Vinyl 818S Logomost demanding high-definition standards.

"VIA's new HD audio codecs offer the best possible fidelity and clarity for playback of Blu-ray content", said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "With support from CyberLink's advanced PowerDVD playback software, users will be able to experience the exceptional audio and video quality of high-definition movie content on their PC."
VIA EM-ITX
"CyberLink is pleased to offer support to VIA Vinyl HD Audio codec technology within our award-winning playback software, PowerDVD," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "By partnering with VIA, Cyberlink is able to deliver enhanced high-definition audio with support for audio content protection, allowing users to enjoy the full benefits of Blu-ray video."

The VIA Vinyl VT1818S and VT1828S HD Audio codecs are compliant with the latest Microsoft Windows® 7 operating system and also provide support for optional sound effect software, including DTS Connect, DTS Surround Sensation, Creative and QSound.


About the VIA Vinyl VT1818S and VT 1828S HD Audio Codecs
The VIA Vinyl VT1818S can achieve 100 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for DACs and supports Blu-ray and HD DVD Audio Content Protection as well as advanced VoIP and enhanced music functionality. The two independent 16, 20, 24-bit S/PDIF TX Output channels of the VIA Vinyl VT1818S support sampling rates of 48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz, 44.1 kHz, and 88.2 kHz. The second S/PDIF TX Out is dedicated for digital audio output to an HDMI transmitter.

The VIA Vinyl VT1828S features five DACs able to achieve 110 dB SNR. It also features two stereo ADCs, analog input to analog output mixing, two independent S/PDIF outputs, and a high quality analog mixer used to support an A-A path. The VIA Vinyl VT1828S supports Blu-ray and HD DVD Audio Content Protection.

Both new VIA Vinyl HD Audio codecs support a front-panel jack re-tasking feature that allows flexible configurations and aids consumers' ability to play two different audio streams through their PC at the same time, providing greater versatility to a system that functions as a home theatre device.

For further information on VIA Vinyl HD Audio codecs, please visit the VIA website at:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/audio ... codecs.jsp

About VIA Technologies, Inc.
VIA Technologies, Inc is the foremost fabless supplier of power efficient x86 processor platforms that are driving system innovation in the PC, client, ultra mobile and embedded markets. Combining energy-saving processors with digital media chipsets and advanced connectivity, multimedia and networking silicon enables a broad spectrum of computing and communication platforms, including its widely acclaimed ultra compact mainboards. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA's global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world's top OEMs and system integrators. http://www.via.com.tw

[gwolfman]

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The leading Blu-ray Disc and DVD playback software, CyberLink PowerDVD provides enhanced high-definition audio through the embedded VIA Vinyl HD VIA Vinyl 1828S Audio codecs, which also support Blu-ray Disc audio content protection, allowing for optimal audio output. Without content protection support, audio quality is dramatically reduced to that of a regular CD with a sampling rate of only 16-bit/48kHz.

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So, it's not very clear, but it looks like this does not support PAP (protected audio path) for DTS-MA and DD TrueHD?

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About the VIA Vinyl VT1818S and VT 1828S HD Audio Codecs
The VIA Vinyl VT1818S can achieve 100 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for DACs and supports Blu-ray and HD DVD Audio Content Protection as well as advanced VoIP and enhanced music functionality.

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But then I see this...? Does "audio content protection" allow for bitstreaming the HD audio codecs?

[pcup2date]

Trying to solve the mystery about the Via Vinyl Chipsets VT1818 and VT1828...

The Via Vinyl VT1818 and VT1828 are butget audio chip with some expansions...
They maybe have better ones like the VIA Eny Line

That means audio quality on the outputs is not very good.
I'm still waiting for someone to test this, but the VT1708 where they are derived from score bad when using a high frequency test signal (like 57Khz).
That's strange because, it should not be a problem when using good DAC's and a ripple free power supply route.
When the D-A convertors work on 192 KHz -24bit they technically should be able to handle 192/2 Khz.
A test with Rightmarks Audio Analyzer on Techreport shows this (The Asus boards use the Via Chips, and remember it's not a complete test ).

Maybe ASUS has solved a bit on their new motherboards like the Asus M4A785G (HTPC board for multimedia) ???
On the motherboard you can use a single powerline/connector from the powersupply to the mainboard just for the soundchip and output.

Then the question of Gwolfman

So, it's not very clear, but it looks like this does not support PAP (protected audio path) for DTS-MA and DD TrueHD?

It supports a Protected audio path, but there's a catch...

But then I see this...? Does "audio content protection" allow for bitstreaming the HD audio codecs?

According to the Audio Engineering Society (AES), the A-A path means:

Analog Loop (A-A) Path
The path from the analog input amplifier, routed through the Playback Mixer, and back out through the analog
output amplifier. Several analog inputs may exist such as: Line Input, Microphone Input, Auxiliary Input, CD Drive,
Input, Telephone Modem (TDA) Audio, and others.

So this bugger gets the 7.1 audiostreams from power dvd, makes an analog sound-signal.
Probably it can still use the volume settings, so the signal also goes trough the mixer.
After that it resamples the whole signal again and makes a DTS or Dolby stream of it
1) at maximum 192Khz 24 bit, which can be output through the digital SPDIF. or
2) it renders an extra protection stream, so with this extra, the signal can be output by HDMI.

So it supports a Protected audio Path,
but as I see this is no bitstreaming, just a handy way to lure people in buying something that is not really any quality.

Maybe take a look at the Asus Xonar HDAV series
Or Auzentech, Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD which can do it all in a blaze...

I'm new on this forum, so please (b)eat me, may be then I'll post something again