NICAM sound

[Darren King]

That's a nice bit of hardware. Great job!

I'll link this thread from my website as the source of information for the PAL tuner with NICAM decoding solution discussion area.

I am assuming that the hook up will be very similar to the old "Mark 1" Australian stereo decoder and if some pictures and info can be sent to me I'll happily update the how-to to incorporate the changes, or I'm happy for someone to use the current how-to and re-write it.

As for myself I unfortunately can't be in a position of active participation due to Australia not using NICAM so someone in NZ will have to take on the role of answering technical questions.

While I realise this decoder and a different PIC chip can program it for use in Australia I have enough stock of 3410D Micronas chips to last out the remainder of any future conversions that come my way. Although if Catdog wants to develop an Australian version (or a universal version that can do many standards) then go for your life mate

Once again, great work. Well done

[catdog]

I am assuming that the hook up will be very similar to the old "Mark 1" Australian stereo decoder and if some pictures and info can be sent to me I'll happily update the how-to to incorporate the changes, or I'm happy for someone to use the current how-to and re-write it.

Yes, exactly the same although it requires both 12V and 5V.

Although if Catdog wants to develop an Australian version (or a universal version that can do many standards) then go for your life mate

One step ahead of you - it autodetects the sound standard so should work in Australia as is!

[DOlsen]

I have installed one of these decoders in my Tivo, and can say it works really well. After putting in the pal turner and using the demodulated (mono) sound from the tuner, I thought that the sound was pretty good. Putting in the NICAM decoder and listing to it, the sound is so much better…

The decoder performs flawlessly. Locking onto the NICAM signal occurs virtually instantly. There is no noise output while changing channels, and the decoder falls back automatically to mono if the station does not broadcast in NICAM.

Very happy with the decoder.

[dozley]

Hi. I live in Wellington, and have previously had a PAL tuner installed in my Tivo.
I'm quite keen on getting Nicam stereo working. What's the easiest way, and what would the costs be?
Ta.

[Skolink]

If Catdog doesn't have any prototype boards left, you may want to wait until I build some 'pretty' NICAM decoder boards.
It will likely take a couple of months by the time I lay out the PCB, and then slip some PCBs in with a work job for fabrication, then assemble the boards.
Not sure of costs, have yet to look into component sourcing - NZ$ is high vs US$ which should help.

[Skolink]

I finished assembling some of these boards a couple of weeks ago, just waiting on a friend to write some firmware. Will post a photo and start accepting your money soon.
The build cost was $24, plus $2 if you want a HDD style power input socket fitted. Postage $2.50.
They are limited edition 10 units only. 2 already spoken for.

[KEG]

Hi all,
I would like to get my hands on one of these. How do I go about that. My Tivo already has the Pal tuner mod.

Cheers

[Skolink]

Hi all,
I would like to get my hands on one of these. How do I go about that. My Tivo already has the Pal tuner mod.

Cheers

I'm still part way through designing the PCB for a surface mount version. The one I have is a through-hole prototype built by Catdog. I've been pretty slack and not doen any work on this for ages. I've still got the main decoder chips in the cupboard. I promise I'll get onto it soon...

[Skolink]

Well here's where the PCB layout is at.. basically finished.
Any comments welcome, hasn't been sent for fabrication yet so changes can be made.

[petestrash]

I suggest you PM Skolink or catdog.

Peter.