Topic: Hosa ODL-312 Bit Accuracy Results

[Brian Skalinder]

2004-02-11 - edit - now up to ~100 hours of field and field-simulated testing.

I'm starting to perform bit-accuracy tests on the Hosa ODL-312 AES/EBU <-> optical digital format converter.  After ~10 hrs of testing (admittedly far more to go), so far so good.  I wanted to start doing these tests as I would use the unit in the field, so I'm running everything powered off of DC:

MK4/KC5/CMC6 > V3 (16-bit/44kHz) split to

[1] > coax > EgoSys Waveterminal 2496 > CEP2.0
[2] > AES/EBU > Hosa ODL-312 > optical > NJB3

• V3 is powered by 6v SLA.
• NJB3 is powered by its internal battery.
• Hosa ODL-312 takes 9v DC, draws 50mA (according to the specs, not verified) and is powered off a 9.6v RC, 1600 mAH battery pack.
• Files transferred NJB3 > PC via Adaptec Fireconnect 4300

I've trimmed the files from [1] and [2] to the same starting/ending samples and run the EAC WAV compare utility.  So far, no differences whatsoever.*

*Outside of the 10 bit-perfect hours, though, I've twice now encountered a problem on the *PC* side.  Somehow the L/R channels are swapped and one of the channels is offset by 1 sample relative to the other.  WTF.  Not a clue trying to sort this one out.  So at the beginning of each run I test to make sure L is recording to L and R is recording to R on both the NJB3 and PC.  When this criteria is met, I proceed with the tests and so far the results have been only positive.

Lots more testing to go, but I thought everyone would like to know how it's going so far.

FWIW, I picked up my Hosa ODL-312 at Full Compass (I think) for ~$50, shipped.  Not quote as cheap as some of the others, but so far so good on the bit-accuracy front and this thing is built like a brick.

I'll post a few pics in a second here and will report back after further testing.

Edit: Confirmed bit-accuracy through ~70 hrs of testing now.  I'm done - 70 hrs is good enough for me.

[Brian Skalinder]

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[Brian Skalinder]

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[caymanreview]

have you tryed to take the aes pro signal and convert it to optical yet?

does this box work similar to the midiman co2? when taking the coax input, does it output optical and also the coax output? that would be handy for me, if indeed it doesnt take a "pro" signal, for patchers

[Brian Skalinder]

Haven't gotten to testing the V3's AES pro signal output yet, Dustin - only the AES1 consumer output.  It's in the plans, though - I'll get to it.  BTW, this box only does AES/EBU > S/PDIF optical or vice versa - one input, one output, not simultaneous output of different formats.  They make a similar model that converts S/PDIF coax > S/PDIF optical and vice versa, but again - one input, one ouput, no simultaneous output of different formats.

[caymanreview]

hopefully it does the aes pro sigan > optical, then i would be totally covered!

im going to start doing some tests on my little box that i got. verifying that it is bit perfect and no dropouts occur

[Brian Skalinder]

Yes, I'm a geek.  I spent the better part of my weekend continuing these tests.  I've now run a total of ~20 hrs of testing with 100% bit-accuracy across the two signal paths.  That's the equivalent of about 10 shows for me.  I'm feeling very positive about this setup right now!  

I don't plan on spending loads more time in field-simulated testing at home.  In the field, I'll still run V3 > DAT/JB3 concurrently for a while for further testing, but for the time being I'm convinced this is the box for which I've been looking.

Dustin - I'll run  2 field-simulated home tests out of the V3s AES pro output and let you know how it goes.  Of course, if you're gonna go down this road instead of the box you have now, keep in mind you'll want to do your own testing with the MMe.

[F.O.Bean]

excellent, HUGE +T brian....i now will get that converter to do the same you are doing, TRYING to eliminate dat....

thanks again brian,very cool...

bean

[Brian Skalinder]

excellent, HUGE +T brian....i now will get that converter to do the same you are doing, TRYING to eliminate dat....

thanks again brian,very cool...

bean

Not sure exactly what gear you're using these days, Bean, but the equivalent model for coax S/PDIF <-> optical S/PDIF is the Hosa ODL-276.  Keep in mind I've [a] not tested the -276 (only the -312), and unless you're using a V3, your S/PDIF transmitter may be different.  So, I'd recommend bit-accuracy testing with your specific format converter and input/output devices.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Yeah, I'm glad to hear the HOSA units are looking good.  I've got my eye on the 276 model for use with my JB3...  The Midiman CO2 I bought failed its first test...

Terry

[MikeW]

What firmware are you running on the Jukebox 3?  Are you starting your WAV compare right at the beginning of the recorded signal?

[Brian Skalinder]

What firmware are you running on the Jukebox 3?  Are you starting your WAV compare right at the beginning of the recorded signal?

I don't have the JB3 in front of me, but I'm pretty sure I'm running 1.32.02.

I have not been starting the WAV compare right at the beginning of the JB3/DAT recorded signal - I've just been finding the same starting/ending sample very early/late in the ~3hr WAVs.  Figured that would be sufficient as it's basically impossible to actually start the recordings on exactly the same sample and I'll always have a minute or two or more pre and post recording relative to the start/end of the music, anyway.

Should I be starting my WAV compare at the beginning of the recorded signal?  And if so, which one - the DAT or JB3 (I assume JB3)?  And why?  Want to make sure I do this right...am I missing something?

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

I have no idea, but it sounds like you are doing it correctly Brian...  I'm looking at the Hosa ODL 276 right now.  If I buy one, I'll get with you and see how you are doing your tests...  

Terry

[caymanreview]

so, brian

you are using the 312, since im going to want to do the aes pro signal > optical, i will be wanting that unit?

im going to start testing on my box tonight!

[MikeW]

Yes, it sounds as if you are doing it right.  Just asking because between the first 20 and 30 samples, the Jukebox 3 hiccups for a few samples, almost always.  I don't recall which firmware I'm running, but it's the latest.  

It's not an issue for me as I always start the deck a few minutes early anyways.