Software to detect HDCD features of a disc

Is there a software that displays the HDCD features of a disc (peak extend, transient filters, etc.) without having to burn the disc into WAV, FLAC, etc.? Is this even possible?

 

You can configure foobar2000 to show this information in the status bar.
If have this line configured in my preferences settings for Display -> Default User Interface -> Status Bar:

Code:

%codec% | %bitrate% kbps | %samplerate% Hz | %channels% | %playback_time%[ / %length%] $if($info(hdcd),'(HDCD:',) $if($info(hdcd_gain),Gain= $info(hdcd_gain) Peak extend=$info(hdcd_peak_extend) Transient Filter=$info(hdcd_transient_filter)')',)

The HDCD feature requires a component has to be installed separately. It also has a context menu item "Scan For HDCD Tracks" which will scan the whole CD.

 

Yup, you need to install foo_hdcd plugin for this to work. Download that file and go to Preferences--> Components--> "Install..." button and select the file to install.

If you should choose to use it, Columns UI (not the default interface) requires different code.

This is the status bar code for Columns UI (Preferences --> Display--> Columns UI --> Status Bar tab:

$if(%length%,$if(%filesize%,Filesize $div(%filesize%,1048576).$right($muldiv(%filesize%,100,1048576),2) MB | ,)Progress $muldiv(100,%playback_time_seconds%,%length_seconds%).$right($muldiv(10000,%playback_time_seconds%,%length_seconds%),2) '%',$select($add($mod(%playback_time_seconds%,2),1),$rgb(192,192,192)STREAMING,STREAMING))
$if(%ispaused%,Paused,Playing) | %codec% | %bitrate% kbps | %samplerate% Hz | $caps(%channels%) | %playback_time%[ / %length%][ |$if(%__hdcd%,' 'HDCD '('gain: %__hdcd_gain%',' peak extension: %__hdcd_peak_extend%',' transient filter: %__hdcd_transient_filter%')',)]

 

If you wish to do it the old fashioned way, use hdcd.exe

 

Yes, HDCD.exe can be used to convert the original 16 bit files to 24 bit files that have the HDCD features already decoded. This of course takes up a lot more hard drive space. It can especially be a waste of space because many HDCDs don't utilize HDCDs advanced features.

 

Thanks, soerin. Very helpful reply.