Audio Signals in car to stereo: Digital vs. Analog
09-26-2012, 10:47 AM
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A question for those more audio / technically inclined.
I posted this on the e60 side as well but wanted any/all good input.
My problem is specific, but the input Im looking for is broad.
Problem:
Ive recently done the CIC + Combox upgrade with Bimmerfest.
I have full ipod integration with 6NR & FL, and this an important feature for me (more for audio & podcasts, but video as well).
BMWs OEM solution is set up so audio coming from this source is an analog signal.
This is required to keep the audio & video in sync when playing video off the ipod/phone/touch.
Bimmerfest wisely precoded this source to be digital to provide the best fidelity on audio.
But the Video is now a second ahead of the audio when playing from my ipod.
Bimmerfest has been helpful in letting me choose which solution I want & will change it accordingly.
Question:
How noticeable to my ear & to my audio system is the analog feed for ipod audio vs. the digital feed?
On homestereos I know I need digital to get surround sound & generally highest quality sound.
In this case, from what Ive read, it comes down to which DAC (digital to analog converter) I want processing the signal as ultimately it ends up an analog signal.
If the port is digital: then the cars DAC does the work
If the port is analog: Im relying on the ipod/phone to do the work
Presumably the Car does a better job & sounds better?
Any / All input is welcome.
Correct me if Im wrong above.
Key question for me is, can I tell the difference in quality?
Ill be doing audio 90% of the time & video 10% of the time, so I don?t want to screw up audio for the sake of video.
Is there a way to dry run this so I can compare?
I posted this on the e60 side as well but wanted any/all good input.
My problem is specific, but the input Im looking for is broad.
Problem:
Ive recently done the CIC + Combox upgrade with Bimmerfest.
I have full ipod integration with 6NR & FL, and this an important feature for me (more for audio & podcasts, but video as well).
BMWs OEM solution is set up so audio coming from this source is an analog signal.
This is required to keep the audio & video in sync when playing video off the ipod/phone/touch.
Bimmerfest wisely precoded this source to be digital to provide the best fidelity on audio.
But the Video is now a second ahead of the audio when playing from my ipod.
Bimmerfest has been helpful in letting me choose which solution I want & will change it accordingly.
Question:
How noticeable to my ear & to my audio system is the analog feed for ipod audio vs. the digital feed?
On homestereos I know I need digital to get surround sound & generally highest quality sound.
In this case, from what Ive read, it comes down to which DAC (digital to analog converter) I want processing the signal as ultimately it ends up an analog signal.
If the port is digital: then the cars DAC does the work
If the port is analog: Im relying on the ipod/phone to do the work
Presumably the Car does a better job & sounds better?
Any / All input is welcome.
Correct me if Im wrong above.
Key question for me is, can I tell the difference in quality?
Ill be doing audio 90% of the time & video 10% of the time, so I don?t want to screw up audio for the sake of video.
Is there a way to dry run this so I can compare?
09-26-2012, 12:58 PM
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My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
you are worrying too much about this. in a car environment, you will never tell the difference between digital or analogue.
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