HD audio (redirected from Intel High Definition Audio)

HD audio

(1) See also HD Radio.

(2) (High Definition audio) The latest digital surround sound formats supported by Blu-ray, such as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD (see Dolby Digital and DTS). The term may occasionally refer to DVD-Audio and SACD, both of which are high-resolution audio formats that had little market penetration (see DVD-Audio and SACD).

(3) (High Definition Audio) Intel audio circuits for PC chipsets. Introduced in 2004 and superseding AC'97, HD Audio provides eight channels (7.1) of 32-bit, 192kHz audio to support Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound. It includes automatic jack retasking, which enables the same port to be used for a speaker or microphone. HD Audio also enables multiple audio streams to be sent to different rooms in the house.

Controller and Codec
Like AC'97, HD Audio communicates with external codecs and modems via "HD Audio Link," a 5-wire TDM serial interface. The external D/A, A/D converters can be chips on the motherboard or a riser card. For international certification (homologation), modem codecs are often placed on riser cards, which can be easily interchanged. See AC'97 and riser card.