AC3 Playback

[DivXExpert]

What audio program can you use to playback AC3 audio?

[eats**t&die]

I use WinDVD to playback AC3 files. Just click and drag.

[DivXExpert]

Cool. PowerDVD Works too. Didn't think of using it. Thanks for the idea.

[eats**t&die]

windows media player even. provided the codec is installed.

[DivXExpert]

Well I intalled the AC3 Filter, and then tried to play in WMP, but it said it was not supported. It was just the AC3 by itself. If it had been with some video in an AVI i suppose it might have played.

[kingkano]

ok I have tried windvd and powerdvd with multi channel support on both (my dvds have great sorround sound DTS and dolby works fine) but I still only get stereo kinda sounds from an AC3 divx.... what am I doing wrong?

I have a soundblaster live with 5.1 speakers connected... why can't I get AC3 sorround please?

thanks in advance

ken scammell

[DivXExpert]

If you downloaded it. The moron who made the rip probably down mixed the channels of the AC3 to Stereo. If you did your own rip, and used BeSweet to lower the audio bitrate of the AC3 but still wanted to keep the surround sound for a 1CD rip (thats what i do), then you might have forgoton to check " Make 5.1 AC3" in BeSweet. Other than that, I can't help you without more info. Maybe try playing the DivX in PowerDVD, instead of WMP, cause I think some of the AC3 Filters don't output all the channles.

Hope this helps

[kingkano]

they're all downloaded rips, I've tried several. I do get sound, but I don't get centre speaker sound - is this a flaw in AC3 or maybe my soundcard decoding software??? if you do know alot about it, let me know what information I can provide to help pinpoint the problem

I've tried winamp, powerdvd and windvd (all multi channel supported I bought both teh dvd players because this pc is for HTPC purposes only!!).... any help beg beg beg lol

kingkano

[crahak]

Well, if you have the proper AC3 filter, and you got your sound card configured properly (decode AC3 to OFF, let your receiver do it) and have the proper sound output selected in your player (providing it does support output to spdif...) Everything works perfect. Takes a couple tries to get it right the first time.

[kingkano]

maybe this is where I am going wrong lol - I don't havea received... my soundcard has 5.1 output - I want my PC to BE the receiver... can AC3 divx not work like this? basically this pc was bought to be the sound system for movies and dvds, it works great with dvds (DTS and dolby sound is all sorround and crystal - beautiful) just AC3 doesn't seem to be the same.....

does AC3 only work through SPDIF to a receiver then?

cheers
kingkano

[DivXExpert]

Nevermind

[kingkano]

nevermind???

[DivXExpert]

The AC3 and the Dolby Surround are the same thing. AC3 is Dolby. If the DVD's Surround works than the AC3 should work also, cause its the samething. If the DivX was downloaded, then it was probably the fault of the ripper. Not your hardware or software. Try making your own, and see if it works.

[kingkano]

ok I will - thanks divxexpert

[crahak]

What do you mean use your sound card as a receiver?

Unless you have analog connections to 6 amplified speakers somehow... If your DVDs work, this should be working just as good. Must be a configuration thing. What program are you using to play DVDs and DivX?

Unless you got AC3 2.0, you shold have all channels, if it's AC3 2.0 then it's just normal that you don't get the center channel... The ripper is not to blame for that, he can't possibly screw the AC3 that way.

[DivXExpert]

Sure you can. You can downmix to 2 channels in BeSweet.

[kingkano]

yep I do - I have sblaster live 5.1 with 3 analog connectiones going out to my desktop theatre DT2200 which is 5.1 slef amplified speakers. When I play a dvd I use powerdvd or windvd and I DO get centre speaker (its all speech usually) but have yet to get ithe same from any film I downloaded thats AC3.

ACtually, can anyone give me a link to the best codec. I tried the one from Nimo and a couple of others. Atleast then I know I am using the right one

thanks