What happens when the HDCD Decoder misses a packet of HDCD code?
The HDCD Decoder requires that level change instructions received from the command code be identical between channels. If one channel has an error, then the decoder mistracks for a short period of time (several tens of milliseconds) until the next command code packet arrives. This mistracking is much less audible than a level change in one channel causing a shift in balance and lateral image movement. If either of the code detect timers times out, then the decoder declares the command code not present, cancels all existing commands and restores the decode system to its default state.
