Audio Stream Playback Device Capability Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In viewing environments where digital streams are pass-through output from a supply device to a playback device, users face confusion regarding the quality of audio playback due to the inability to determine whether extension data can be used in decoding, especially with coding methods like DTS-HD that support both lossless and lossy formats.
Innovation Solution
A stream playback device and supply device are designed to notify each other whether only base data or both base and extension data are usable for decoding, allowing the supply device to select the appropriate audio stream based on the playback device's capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a coding method such as DTS-HD is used that maintains compatibility with decoders supporting less advanced coding methods, then audio quality can be improved with latest decoders, but the user cannot know the actual audio playback quality beforehand
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by having the playback device notify the supply device of its decoder capabilities (whether it can decode extension data) before the audio stream is supplied. This allows the supply device to select the appropriate audio stream in advance, ensuring the user knows the actual playback quality beforehand while maintaining compatibility with both advanced and legacy decoders.
2Device complexity
If the supply device outputs digital streams without decoding, then device complexity is reduced, but the user cannot determine the quality of audio playback
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies feedback by establishing a communication mechanism where the playback device provides feedback to the supply device about its decoder capabilities. The supply device uses this feedback information to make informed decisions about which audio stream to output, thereby providing quality information to the user without requiring the supply device to perform complex decoding operations itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio streams of different coding methods are recorded, then adaptability is improved, but the user faces confusion about which stream to select and what quality to expect
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies self-service by enabling the supply device to automatically select the appropriate audio stream based on the playback device's notified capabilities. This eliminates the need for users to manually understand or select between multiple coding methods, as the system autonomously matches the stream to the decoder capability, maintaining high adaptability while simplifying operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A stream playback device for playing back an audio stream including audio frames which are each made up of base data and extension data is provided. The stream playback device includes a decoder and an interface unit operable to receive the audio stream supplied from a stream supply device. The stream playback device notifies the stream supply device whether only the base data or both the base data and the extension data are usable in decoding of the audio stream by the decoder, through the interface unit.