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[rjm]

I see a lot of discussion and enthusiasm about bitstreaming. For example, recent thread mentioned that ArcSoft has got MKV bitstreaming working.

My VERY limited understanding is that bitstreaming is the ability to display video from a stream of data that can start or stop at arbitrary points in the source file. Therefore good for client server applications on a less than perfect communication channel.

Is my understanding correct? Why are people enthusiastic? How might it improve my life? How can I use it with MC?

Thanks kindly.

[SamuriHL]

Bitstreaming is a very simple concept.  It's the ability to send the audio stream to the receiver without decoding it first.  In the case of HD video sources such as Blu-ray, we're talking about sending TrueHD or DTS-HD MA to your receiver unaltered.  Assuming, of course, your receiver supports TrueHD and DTS-HD MA decoding.

[Matt]

A little more here:
http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Audio_Connection_Type

[Alex B]

I am more familiar with the term "S/PDIF pass-through". I have been using it since the year 2000. Of course we have now also the HDMI interconnect that can be used for bit perfect pass-through of undecoded audio streams.

I have seen "bitstreaming" used in this meaning only quite recently.

[rjm]

Very helpful. Thanks to all 3 of you.

[KingSparta]

>> what is bitstreaming?

It's Not a stupid question

More And More Some Of This Talk Goes Right Over My Head.

[dcwebman]

More And More Some Of This Talk Goes Right Over My Head.

Glad I'm not the only one. Not being an audio or videophile, I see these new additions and say, "That's nice, whatever that is." 

[Mr ChriZ]

It all goes straight over my head! 

Still got my old fashioned 2 x 2 channel analogue amp.  Don't know how I manage 

[SamuriHL]

Don't feel bad. I've found that no matter how much you think you know, there's ALWAYS more to learn.  Even so called experts could learn more.  It just comes with experience.  When you need to know something, you learn it. 

[glynor]

Bitstreaming is a very simple concept.  It's the ability to send the audio stream to the receiver without decoding it first.

This.

Not complex.  Whether you send it via HDMI or SPDIF, it doesn't matter.  If your receiver is decoding the audio stream, and not the computer, then you are "bitstreaming".  If your computer is decoding the audio, and sending discreet PCM channels to the amp/receiver/headphones/whatever, then you are "not bitstreaming".

[rjm]

Why audio only?

It seems sending undecoded video data to display devices connected to the internet would be a nice way to share hidef video.

[SamuriHL]

Video doesn't work the same way.  It's decoded at the player level ALWAYS.  So, the idea of bitstreaming video isn't entirely correct.

[BryanC]

Why audio only?

It seems sending undecoded video data to display devices connected to the internet would be a nice way to share hidef video.

If this were the case, every TV/monitor would have to ship with the processing power capable of decoding HD video. You know all this crap we deal with codecs and directshow filters/settings? This would now be applicable to your TV.