Benefits of the TCXO clock of the PlayerPro 8K vs PlayerOne 8K

With its high-precision 0.1% TCXO femtosecond clock, the PlayerPro 8K delivers an exceptional audiovisual experience. TCXO technology ensures crystal-clear audio and flawless video playback, even in the most demanding scenes. This article details the benefits of using such a clock in the PlayerPro 8K (and its Signature Edition version) compared to the standard clocks used in the PlayerOne 8K.

1. Accuracy and temporal stability: the proprietary 24 MHz TCXO

• TCXO in the PlayerPro 8K: The PlayerPro 8K integrates a proprietary R_volution TCXO clocked at 24 MHz, a perfect multiple of 24 Hz (standard film frequency) and 48 kHz (typical audio frequency in home theater). This ideal synchronization, combined with exceptional precision (<0.1 ppm) and thermal compensation, reduces digital jitter to a minimum level in the HDMI stream. Compared to the 27 MHz TCXOs of competing high-end players (frequency not multiple of 24 Hz or 48 kHz), it avoids temporal interpolation errors, offering optimal stability.

• MEMS in the PlayerOne 8K: With an accuracy of 1 to 10 ppm and a higher thermal sensitivity, MEMS generate a more pronounced jitter, less suited to audiophile and cinema requirements.

2. Precise and dynamic audio reproduction

• TCXO in the PlayerPro 8K: The 24 MHz TCXO excels in HDMI digital transmission, offering audio reproduction of remarkable precision and striking dynamics. For a Pure Audio Blu-ray in uncompressed PCM, or formats such as Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, it preserves micro-details (harmonics, transients), bass depth and channel separation. This temporal stability enhances high-frequency clarity and richness of the soundstage, surpassing competitors at 27 MHz.

• MEMS in the PlayerOne 8K: The higher jitter of MEMS can blur details, reduce dynamics and blur spatialization, especially in demanding home theater systems.

TCXO Benefit – Pure Audio Example: On a Pure Audio Blu-ray like The Wall (Pink Floyd) in PCM 5.1, the PlayerPro 8K’s TCXO reproduces the whispers of “Comfortably Numb” with crystal clarity and the bass of “Run Like Hell” with visceral power, each sonic layer remaining distinct. With the PlayerOne 8K, these subtleties might be slightly veiled.

TCXO Benefit – Home Cinema Example: In Dune: Part 2 (2024) in Dolby Atmos, the sandworm attack scene benefits from 24 MHz TCXO: the telluric rumbles and the aerial whistles of the sand are transmitted with perfect temporal precision, offering punchy dynamics and immersive spatialization. The PlayerOne 8K could lose clarity, making the effects less defined.

3. Avantages vidéo pour les films 24p en 4K, upscaling, et concerts

La TCXO influe sur la qualité vidéo via la stabilité du signal HDMI, optimisant également les traitements d’image par IA (AIPQ et AISR) de la puce Amlogic présente dans les deux lecteurs. Voici les bénéfices spécifiques :

• Fluidité des images en 24p natif ou upscalé : Pour les films en 4K à 24 images par seconde (24p), natifs ou upscalés en 4K, la TCXO à 24 MHz (multiple exact de 24 Hz) garantit une transmission fluide des images, sans micro-variations temporelles ni saccades dans les mouvements lents ou panoramiques. Cette stabilité améliore l’efficacité de l’upscaling via l’AISR (AI Super Resolution), qui repose sur un signal source précis pour recréer des détails fins.

• Optimisation des traitements IA (AIPQ et AISR) : L’AIPQ (AI Picture Quality) et l’AISR exploitent la stabilité de la TCXO pour affiner la netteté, réduire le bruit et améliorer la texture des images upscalées ou natives. Un jitter faible garantit que ces algorithmes travaillent sur un flux cohérent, maximisant leur efficacité.

• Réduction des erreurs de données : Le faible jitter minimise les corruptions dans le flux HDMI, évitant des artefacts comme des pixels errants ou des glitches, ce qui est crucial pour l’upscaling précis.

• Concerts en 1080i : En Blu-ray 1080i (entrelacé), la TCXO stabilise les trames entrelacées, réduisant les artefacts d’entrelacement (comme les lignes horizontales dans les mouvements rapides) et améliorant la fluidité perçue.

• MEMS dans le PlayerOne 8K : Avec un jitter plus élevé, les MEMS introduisent de légères irrégularités dans le défilement des images et peuvent perturber les traitements IA, entraînant une perte de netteté ou des artefacts dans les contenus upscalés ou entrelacés.

Bénéfice TCXO – Exemple Vidéo 4K 24p : Dans Blade Runner 2049 (2017) en 4K natif à 24p, la TCXO du PlayerPro 8K assure une fluidité parfaite des panoramiques sur les paysages désertiques, avec une stabilité impeccable. L’AIPQ renforce les détails des néons, tandis que l’AISR (en upscaling depuis une source inférieure) préserve la texture du sable. Avec le PlayerOne 8K, de subtiles saccades ou un bruit résiduel pourraient apparaître.

Bénéfice TCXO – Exemple Vidéo Concert 1080i : Dans Queen : Live at Wembley (1986) en Blu-ray 1080i, la TCXO à 24 MHz du PlayerPro 8K stabilise les trames entrelacées lors des mouvements rapides de Freddie Mercury, évitant les artefacts d’entrelacement et offrant une image nette, même dans les zooms dynamiques. Le PlayerOne 8K pourrait montrer des lignes parasites ou une instabilité.

3. Video benefits for 24p movies in 4K, upscaling, and concerts

TCXO impacts video quality through the stability of the HDMI signal, also optimizing the AI image processing (AIPQ and AISR) of the Amlogic chip present in both players. Here are the specific benefits:

• Smoothness of images in native or upscaled 24p: For 4K movies at 24 frames per second (24p), native or upscaled to 4K, the 24 MHz TCXO (an exact multiple of 24 Hz) guarantees smooth transmission of images, without micro-temporal variations or jerks in slow movements or pans. This stability improves the efficiency of upscaling via AISR (AI Super Resolution), which relies on a precise source signal to recreate fine details.

• AI Processing Optimization (AIPQ and AISR): AI Picture Quality (AIPQ) and AISR leverage the stability of TCXO to sharpen, reduce noise, and enhance texture in upscaled or native images. Low jitter ensures that these algorithms work on a coherent stream, maximizing their efficiency.

• Data Error Reduction: Low jitter minimizes corruption in the HDMI stream, preventing artifacts like stray pixels or glitches, which is crucial for accurate upscaling.

• 1080i Concerts: In 1080i Blu-ray (interlaced), TCXO stabilizes interlaced frames, reducing interlacing artifacts (like horizontal lines in fast motion) and improving perceived smoothness.

• MEMS in PlayerOne 8K: With higher jitter, MEMS introduce slight irregularities in frame rate and can disrupt AI processing, leading to loss of sharpness or artifacts in upscaled or interlaced content.

TCXO Benefit – 4K 24p Video Example: In Blade Runner 2049 (2017) in native 4K at 24p, the PlayerPro 8K’s TCXO ensures perfectly smooth pans across desert landscapes, with impeccable stability. AIPQ enhances neon details, while AISR (upscaled from a lower source) preserves the texture of the sand. With PlayerOne 8K, subtle judder or residual noise may appear.

TCXO Benefit – 1080i Concert Video Example: In Queen: Live at Wembley (1986) on 1080i Blu-ray, the PlayerPro 8K’s 24 MHz TCXO stabilizes interlaced frames during Freddie Mercury’s fast movements, preventing interlacing artifacts and providing a sharp image, even in dynamic zooms. PlayerOne 8K could show ghosting or jitter.

4. Smooth 50/60 Hz for Concerts

• TCXO in PlayerPro 8K: For 50 or 60 Hz content, such as filmed concerts, the 24 MHz TCXO maintains superior stability with minimal jitter, ensuring smoothness in fast movements or light shows. AIPQ maximizes the clarity of details in real time.

• MEMS in PlayerOne 8K: MEMS can cause subtle stuttering or instability at these high frequencies, affecting AI performance.

TCXO Benefit – Concert Example: In Live at Pompeii (David Gilmour, 2016) in 4K at 60 Hz, the PlayerPro 8K’s TCXO delivers flawless smoothness when tracking crowd shots, with precise textures thanks to AISR. The PlayerOne 8K could show slight instability or blur in these fast-moving sequences.

5. Performance in intensive use

• TCXO in the PlayerPro 8K: The thermal compensation of the proprietary TCXO ensures consistent accuracy, even after hours of playback, ideal for long sessions in home theater setups.

• MEMS in the PlayerOne 8K: MEMS can drift with heat, affecting audio and video quality.

TCXO Benefit – Multichannel Audio Example: In the final battle of The Matrix (1999) in 4K with DTS:X, the 24 MHz TCXO of the PlayerPro 8K maintains intact dynamics and spatialization after 2 hours, while the PlayerOne 8K could lose definition.

In summary

The PlayerPro 8K’s proprietary 24 MHz R_volution TCXO outperforms the PlayerOne 8K’s MEMS and competitors’ 27 MHz TCXOs with its optimized frequency and minimal jitter:

• Digital audio: Precise and dynamic reproduction for audiophile listening (The Wall) and immersive audio formats (Dune: Part 2), with increased clarity and depth.

• 24p video and upscaling: Natural fluidity and refined details in native or upscaled 4K (Blade Runner 2049), boosted by AIPQ and AISR.

• 1080i and 50/60 Hz concerts: Optimal visual stability (Queen: Live at Wembley, Live at Pompeii).

While the PlayerOne 8K is already a high-end player, for audiophiles and movie enthusiasts, the PlayerPro 8K with its 24 MHz TCXO delivers a superior experience in home theater systems, outperforming the PlayerOne 8K and lower-clocked high-end players.