Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Adding HDMI Input to my QSC DCP300

This is topic Adding HDMI Input to my QSC DCP300 in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=003150

Posted by Gary DiVito (Member # 10135) on 11-02-2017, 05:30 PM:

Has anybody done this . I have looked but can't find where this has been done.QSC has announced the DCI10H SEE LINK

Could I connect the DCI To my DCP 300 with this? The DCP has Cobranet and Lan connectivity.

https://www.qsc.com/cinema/products/processing/qsc-processors/q-sys/network-io-peripherals/dciodcio-h/

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 11-04-2017, 04:27 AM:

the DCIO-H is for QSYS systems, not for Cobranet unfortunately.

Posted by Gary DiVito (Member # 10135) on 11-04-2017, 04:09 PM:

Thanks Marco,
I didn't think inputing the HDMI audio only out of my Oppo UHD205 into my DCP300 would be a challenge. Has anybody done this? Via cobranet I can input 16 channels of digital or via the AES3 digital input. It seems though finding a HDMI multi channel interface is a problem. Any ideas? Thanks

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 11-04-2017, 04:33 PM:

There's the ARVUS HDMI->AES/EBU converter. But, honestly, I would use the 7.1 analog out of the Oppo to enter the DCP 300.
Are you sure the Cobranet can be used at all to feed multichannel audio into the main processing chain on the DCP 300?

- Carsten

Posted by Gary DiVito (Member # 10135) on 11-04-2017, 05:49 PM:

Hello Carsten,
Yes , the 300 has a primary and secondary cobranet connection on the back next to the USB ports.
The Arvus H2 UDMA would work, but they ask a high price. Though I would like to have a digital signal.
Just trying to see what options if any are out there.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 11-04-2017, 06:31 PM:

If your Oppo has 7.1 analogue output, then go for it and don't look back!

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 11-04-2017, 10:19 PM:

If you have your analog inputs available on the DCP300, then use them with the Oppo outputs. If you need them for something else, the cheaper way to use Cobranet in would be to use a Whirlwind analog to Cobranet adapter. Just so you know, Cobranet is a networked audio system such that you can have nearly an unlimited amount of sources. One choses the input using the source's ID(s). You choose the ID in the audio configuration. If you have DCP200/300s in your complex, they can all send/receive audio to each other too...if you create a Cobranet network. It is possible to have it run on the normal LAN but not advisable. The primary secondary jacks are just that. The secondary is there for redundancy.

I suppose the ARVUS box can be used if you don't use more than 8-channels of DCInema audio. We normally do with the ADA stuff plus 7.1. I would tend to reservee 16-channels for DCP so you are covered for any PCM format that comes out too.

Posted by Gary DiVito (Member # 10135) on 11-26-2017, 09:02 PM:

I will be using the USL HSW602 switchbox from my OPPO 205 to the DCP300 Digial input. I have purchased an Odessy RJ adaptor Board which will allow me to use the RJ45 out on the 602 to the RJ45 in on the 300. Although the cable will be 100 ohm vs 110 ohm I don’t think it will be a problem.
I will stil have the use of the OPPO’s analog 8 outputs if I want. The other questions I have will the DCP300 downsamle the signal from the OPPO 192khz.The 602 is a pass through according to its manual.

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 11-26-2017, 10:14 PM:

quote: Gary DiVito
I will be using the USL HSW602 switchbox

FYI, this product has been discontinued. It proved too quirky for prime time.

Posted by Gary DiVito (Member # 10135) on 11-26-2017, 10:28 PM:

Sam
I talked to the engineer at QSC that developed the unit he said it would work in my application. Did you own one? Anyone out there who can Back this statement up.

Thanks

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 11-26-2017, 10:36 PM:

It was developed by USL and was withdrawn from the market. I sold perhaps 6 and all were returned for credit. A rare miss for USL. QSC of course bought USL.

Posted by Gary DiVito (Member # 10135) on 11-26-2017, 11:15 PM:

Sam was the problem with the audio? or Video ? I am using it to convert HDMI to AES output.

Thanks

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 11-26-2017, 11:47 PM:

It was balky. It would not switch at the same speed reliably and hang up and sit there. Not ideal when one is trying to run a multi source show. It was a nice idea.

If you already have one give it a try. If you don't, walk away is my advice.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 11-27-2017, 07:28 AM:

It also couldn't simultaneously output to both outputs from the same source. That is, you couldn't have "preview" and "program" output the same thing.

As Sam noted, not everything from everyone is a home-run.

So, is your goal to use Digital 1 for DCPs and Digital 2 for Blu-ray (HDMI) sources? It sort of limits you to 5.1 +ADA for DCPs unless you use an external D/A converter for the ADA stuff, in which you are covered on 7.1 DCP.

Unfortunately, Cobranet has fallen out of favor in the A/V world, which drives such technologies (cinema is too small). So, what you are trying to do just isn't done. Sure, for some serious $$$ you can convert the audio a couple of times. Say HDMI to AES and then from AES to Dante and from Dante to Cobranet but to what end? For a limited time, you could even use a QSYS core as an AES to Cobranet Bridge and if you wait until February, you can use the QSYS core with a DCIO to get the HDMI, then an I/O frame with a Cobranet module to make a bridge...but there is the cost factor and the absurdity of using QSYS to keep a DCP viable rather than just jumping feet first into QSYS.

What are you using the analog inputs for? If nothing, then hook the Oppo straight up there and be done with it. That Oppo has some of the best D/A converters on the market so the analog will be great.

If you need more analog inputs THEN CobraNet can be used via the Whirlwind analog to Cobranet adapters.

http://whirlwindusa.com/catalog/digital-audio-networking/io-modules/ci8m

It isn't cheap but with that sort of device, you have essentially unlimited inputs by merely making each device a unique ID (in reality you'll run out of presets on the DCP300).

The problem with CobraNet is that while it was once king and it is rock solid, its heyday was just prior to HDMI becoming pervasive. Dante has essentially replaced it in the A/V world any everyone builds to that platform, not Cobranet.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 11-27-2017, 07:40 AM:

Gary - what DCI server and projector do you use?

- Carsten

Posted by Gary DiVito (Member # 10135) on 11-27-2017, 11:02 AM:

I received a reply from QSC on the 602 capability’s I am including it here. My intention is to use the Blu Ray output to my projector & the audio only through the 602 to the AES input on the 300 for 7.1 to my Speakers .

Hello Gary,

I’m sorry, I think I misunderstood you. The HSW is designed to route audio digital PCM signals from the HDMI source to the AES output. It does a straight through channel pass, and reviewing the circuit it is capable of passing 192KHz electrically. So with an 8 channel PCM source coming in over the HDMI line, the AES output being enabled will pass full 7.1 audio on the AES output. One note, I am not sure what the maximum input rate on the DCP-300 is, it may not be able to decode signals above 96KHz.

I was confused by the master audio and dolby HD comment. Those will not pass correctly to the best of my knowledge, and won’t be decoded. However, the Oppo I believe is capable of decoding those to PCM and sending full 7.1 PCM to the HSW. That will output correctly to the AES output on the HSW.

Does that line up with how you are trying to use the HSW in your processing chain?

Regards,

Seth Jesse
Software Engineer
QSC, LLC
(805) 549-0161

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 11-27-2017, 06:46 PM:

Perhaps no one has told Seth the unit has been withdrawn from the market.

Companies tend to treat engineers like mushrooms; in a dark basement and feed them bullshit.

Posted by Gary DiVito (Member # 10135) on 11-27-2017, 06:59 PM:

Sam you might be right but for the price I paid for my Theater System I can afford to take a chance.You can pay $3500 for the Australian Converter as it is the only option besides a QSC DCI Core @ $5000 and the AP20@$5000+ .

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 11-28-2017, 01:26 AM:

Carsten asked a good question on this. What is your server? Does it have an IMB and if so does it have an HDMI input?

Posted by Gary DiVito (Member # 10135) on 11-28-2017, 01:58 PM:

No IMB server using the Sony VW675ES 4K projector.