Hello audio experts. I've had this idea for a while now to create a simplified version of an AV home theater amp—simplified in that I don't require 7.1 channels, EQ, a bunch of settings, etc. I don't care a great deal about achieving esoteric HiFi sound here; I just want something decent sounding, reliable, and simple to use.
I understand that creating an integrated amp that includes a DAC and video I/O is going to be a wacky idea what with the amount of time and breadth of knowledge required, but I thought I'd get some opinions on this in case it might be doable, given enough patience. I'm handy with a soldering iron and feel comfortable enough with analog audio and Arduinos, but I've never messed with DACs or HDMI video/audio before.
The idea is that it would support analog line level, digital inputs (usb, optical and bluetooth), analog video, and HDMI. The only features you would be able to perform would be:
– Turning amp on/off
– Selecting the input
– Changing the volume
– Muting
Everything would be controlled by an Arduino via controls on the front panel and/or an IR remote. The LCD screen would display the input name and volume. I was thinking I would purchase DIY boards for the DACs, preamps, etc.
My main question: is this even worth pursuing given my lack of digital audio/video knowledge?
I understand that creating an integrated amp that includes a DAC and video I/O is going to be a wacky idea what with the amount of time and breadth of knowledge required, but I thought I'd get some opinions on this in case it might be doable, given enough patience. I'm handy with a soldering iron and feel comfortable enough with analog audio and Arduinos, but I've never messed with DACs or HDMI video/audio before.
The idea is that it would support analog line level, digital inputs (usb, optical and bluetooth), analog video, and HDMI. The only features you would be able to perform would be:
– Turning amp on/off
– Selecting the input
– Changing the volume
– Muting
Everything would be controlled by an Arduino via controls on the front panel and/or an IR remote. The LCD screen would display the input name and volume. I was thinking I would purchase DIY boards for the DACs, preamps, etc.
My main question: is this even worth pursuing given my lack of digital audio/video knowledge?
Well, that last mage was supposed to animate. Here's a better version: http://i.imgur.com/RUJNuSs.gif
I've been toying with similar ideas myself and for the most part I think it's doable given you're willing to spend the time (a lot!) to get everything working right together. However, there's one part which I'm afraid will be very difficult unless you're an OEM: HDMI. As far as I know HDMI receiver or transceiver chips are just not available to the general public, as I guess it would make some of the content protections more or less moot. There may be other reasons, or at least other stated reasons, but I think this is at the heart of it.
Simply put, unless you're an OEM, presumably one that pays some sort of license fee to the HDMI alliance, I don't think you'll be able to get your hands on the appropriate chips to handle HDMI. And even if you do, chances are they wouldn't be able to do what you want (decode HD audio formats for example) without additional and costly licenses from Dolby, DTS etc.
Sad but true 🙁
EDIT: If you're willing to sacrifice HDMI though, this should be very possible. I'm actually working on something like this myself based around an ES9018 and a Teensy3 (Arduino compatible ARM uC), although with an external amp. My plan is to have a USB interface input and 2 or 3 SPDIF inputs. Thanks to the fact that the ES9018 has both internal volume control and limited source switching, this can actually be accomplished in quite a neat fashion. Still, the time needed to design and build all the boards necessary (if you go that route) must not be underestimated. This is quite a large project for a hobbyist! Certainly not impossible though and there are several kits that can speed up development if you want to do it that way.
Simply put, unless you're an OEM, presumably one that pays some sort of license fee to the HDMI alliance, I don't think you'll be able to get your hands on the appropriate chips to handle HDMI. And even if you do, chances are they wouldn't be able to do what you want (decode HD audio formats for example) without additional and costly licenses from Dolby, DTS etc.
Sad but true 🙁
EDIT: If you're willing to sacrifice HDMI though, this should be very possible. I'm actually working on something like this myself based around an ES9018 and a Teensy3 (Arduino compatible ARM uC), although with an external amp. My plan is to have a USB interface input and 2 or 3 SPDIF inputs. Thanks to the fact that the ES9018 has both internal volume control and limited source switching, this can actually be accomplished in quite a neat fashion. Still, the time needed to design and build all the boards necessary (if you go that route) must not be underestimated. This is quite a large project for a hobbyist! Certainly not impossible though and there are several kits that can speed up development if you want to do it that way.
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