Things you need:
  • 50/75Hz compatible display
  • ATI AVIVO / nVIDIA PureVideo (enable pull-down on the control panel)
  • MPC-HC x86 (standalone)
  • Microsoft Windows Vista (x86/x64)
  • Cyberlink PowerDVD Audio Decoder

Right click on MPC-HC (x86) icon and create a shortcut. Right click on the shortcut and select properties. Click on compatibility and select Windows XP SP2.

Run MPC-HC (via the shortcut) > click on view > then on options



Playback: Set volume to Max and select EVR under output, which enables DXVA.

Internal Filters: Disable all internal filters and built in audio switcher.

External Filters (1): Click on add filter, select Microsoft MPEG-2 Video Decoder and set it to prefer.

External Filters (2): Click on add filter, select CyberLink Audio Decoder (PowerDVD 6/7/8 ) and set it to prefer. Make sure to configure the decoder by double clicking it. Click on tab labeled as miscellaneous and select quite environment (under dynamic range compression).



Click apply and OK.



Enjoy


Edit: I've completed an hour test comparing the Cyberlink's audio decoder and MPC's built in decoder, and on all tests, the Cyberlink sounded noticeably better. The main factor that stood out the most was the over-all dynamics. Explosions sounded vivid and rich while the dialogues were natural and smooth.


Test system:

Win Vista x64
Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic with March 2008 drivers
ATH-AD700 Headphone
Vol 90, bass 75 and tone 90. All enhancements were disabled.
Test DVDs: Matrix 2/3, Chronicles of Ridick (opening scene) and Starwars EPIII (opening scene)