True digital out for ac3 audio from avi files

[frogster]

I did a search and found a few threads discussing this. However, I am unable to get 5.1 or better from my setup.

Yes, I have digital out enabled with my audigy 2 sound card, but it is essentially resampling the audio and providing only a left and right channel.

To those of you that have this working, how are you doing it? What sound card do you have? Are you really able to pass through the ac3 data without modification?

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=137223&highlight=ac3+digital

[jntaylor63]

What software player are you using?

The player might be the cause. I am working on my own HTPC and I have found out the WMP9 will decode the 5.1, but down mixes to 2.0 (I have the same audio card too.)

I am going to give PowerDVD 5 a test. It is certifed by DivX and has bulit in support for the format.

You are going the right way to play DivX (Or any media play-back). From what I have read about the standalone players, its not worth the cash to get the feature. Firmwares are buggy and your encodes must fight "set standards"

With HTPC, just install codecs and software. When / If HD-DVD comes along, I hope its the same way. At most and new drive may be in order. But at least I won't have to trash the whole unit!

[Gazorgan]

The only player i have that supports AC5.1 is an older version of PowerDVD. The OEM shipping version of it does NOT support AC5.1 output (it costs extra for the plugin). Just about every other player processses the audio in one form or another. I however, can use the spidf out without a whole lot of trouble ( don't have a decoder, but I did test it at a LAN party ).