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Why does everyone keep saying you need a DAC? That's an option, the other option is simply using the physical connector for an old-school analog audio connecti

by phil21 10y ago

Why does everyone keep saying you need a DAC? That's an option, the other option is simply using the physical connector for an old-school analog audio connection. If the concern is device manufacturers won't support USB-C analog audio that's one thing, but pretending like it isn't the (current) intention to utilize is quite strange to me. This is quite literally changing a round plug to a oval one if implemented properly and to the spec.

sethhochberg 10y ago
Many people don't trust that it will be "implemented properly and to the spec". Even look at something like Displayport on Macbooks - the hardware chosen and standard used is functionally capable of spec'd features like passthrough, and this even works on non-stock operating systems, but Apple simply refuses to implement them in their drivers. Digital, analog, or both... I don't want to have to worry about the parts of the spec implemented on my specific device's connector. Stereo audio is not complicated stuff and shouldn't be made to be that way.
falcolas 10y ago
So, correct me if I'm missing something (there's precious little documentation out there), but attempts to standardize support for analog audio over USB C using the sideband pins [1] is still fairly new, and perhaps most importantly, not required by any USB specification but the cable/port specification [2]. From this, I assume that audio accessory support is unlikely to be implemented by all USB chip manufacturers, so attempting to use it as any kind of standard would fall flat on it's face. Whereas any USB C port will support USB communication, making a DAC interface an obvious one. [1] http://www.anandtech.com/show/10273/intel-proposes-to-use-usb-typec-cables-to-connect-headsets-to-mobile-devices http://www.anandtech.com/show/10273/intel-proposes-to-use-us... [2] "Accessory Mode support by phones/notebooks aren’t mandatory, so consumers will need to read the fine print on their new electronic device to determine if audio over USB Type-C is supported or not." http://electronicdesign.com/interconnects/usb-type-c-unplugged http://electronicdesign.com/interconnects/usb-type-c-unplugg...
- phil21 10y ago
  I think this is a valid concern, that it will not be implemented. I just wanted to get an idea of where the initial statement was coming from. I guess I'm a little more idealistic in that I think it's too expensive to put DACs in earbuds shipped by phones, and trying to switch both (port + expensive earbuds) at the same time may be too much. I'm hopeful this means we'll see initial implementations of analog support on the first phones that make this switch, and thus set the expectations. Of course, I'm usually proven wrong about such things :)

by phil21 10y ago

sethhochberg 10y ago

Many people don't trust that it will be "implemented properly and to the spec". Even look at something like Displayport on Macbooks - the hardware chosen and standard used is functionally capable of spec'd features like passthrough, and this even works on non-stock operating systems, but Apple simply refuses to implement them in their drivers. Digital, analog, or both... I don't want to have to worry about the parts of the spec implemented on my specific device's connector. Stereo audio is not complicated stuff and shouldn't be made to be that way.

falcolas 10y ago

So, correct me if I'm missing something (there's precious little documentation out there), but attempts to standardize support for analog audio over USB C using the sideband pins [1] is still fairly new, and perhaps most importantly, not required by any USB specification but the cable/port specification [2]. From this, I assume that audio accessory support is unlikely to be implemented by all USB chip manufacturers, so attempting to use it as any kind of standard would fall flat on it's face. Whereas any USB C port will support USB communication, making a DAC interface an obvious one. [1] http://www.anandtech.com/show/10273/intel-proposes-to-use-usb-typec-cables-to-connect-headsets-to-mobile-devices http://www.anandtech.com/show/10273/intel-proposes-to-use-us... [2] "Accessory Mode support by phones/notebooks aren’t mandatory, so consumers will need to read the fine print on their new electronic device to determine if audio over USB Type-C is supported or not." http://electronicdesign.com/interconnects/usb-type-c-unplugged http://electronicdesign.com/interconnects/usb-type-c-unplugg...

phil21 10y ago
I think this is a valid concern, that it will not be implemented. I just wanted to get an idea of where the initial statement was coming from. I guess I'm a little more idealistic in that I think it's too expensive to put DACs in earbuds shipped by phones, and trying to switch both (port + expensive earbuds) at the same time may be too much. I'm hopeful this means we'll see initial implementations of analog support on the first phones that make this switch, and thus set the expectations. Of course, I'm usually proven wrong about such things :)