User`s guide

User's Guide HDSPe AIO © RME

12. Operation and Usage

12.1 Playback

The HDSP system can play back audio data only in supported modes (channels, PCM) and

formats (sample rate, bit resolution). Otherwise an error message appears (for example at 22

kHz and 8 bit).

In the audio application being used, HDSPe AIO must be selected as output device. This can

often be found in the Options, Preferences or Settings menus under Playback Device, Audio

Devices, Audio etc.

We strongly recommend switching off all system sounds (via >Control Panel /Sounds<). Also

HDSPe should not be the Preferred Device for playback, as this could cause loss of synchroni-

zation and unwanted noises. If you feel you cannot do without system sounds, you should con-

sider buying a cheap Blaster clone and select this as Preferred Device in >Control Panel

/Multimedia /Audio<.

The screenshot shows a

typical configuration dialog

of a (stereo) wave editor.

After selecting a device,

audio data is sent to an

analog or digital (ADAT /

SPDIF) port, depending

on which has been se-

lected as playback device.

Increasing the number

and/or size of audio buff-

ers may prevent the audio

signal from breaking up,

but also increases latency

i.e. output is delayed. For

synchronized playback of

audio and MIDI (or simi-

lar), be sure to activate the

checkbox ‘Get position

from audio driver’.

12.2 DVD-Playback (AC-3/DTS) under MME

AC-3 / DTS

When using popular DVD software player like WinDVD and PowerDVD, their audio data stream

can be sent to any AC-3/DTS capable receiver, using the HDSPe's SPDIF or AES output. For

this to work the corresponding output wave device has to be selected in >Control Panel/

Sounds and Multimedia/ Audio<. Also check 'use preferred device only'.

You will notice that the DVD software's audio properties now allow to use 'SPDIF Out', 'Use

SPDIF' or to 'activate SPDIF output'. When selecting these, the software will transfer the non-

decoded digital multichannel data stream to the HDSPe.

This 'SPDIF' signal sounds like chopped noise at highest level. Therefore the HDSPe AIO auto-

matically sets the non-audio bit within the digital data stream, to prevent most SPDIF receivers

from accepting the signal, and to prevent any attached equipment from being damaged.