AC3 Decoding Issue

[Farshid420]

Hey guys! I've looked around the forum, and others forums as well, including the official forum for AC3Filter, and I haven't been able to get any straight answers anywhere, so I thought, why not ask the experts

The problem I'm having is most probably a hardware/software issue, so I wasn't sure where to place this thread, so mods, please feel free to move it at your discression.

Here's the issue: For the longest time I've been trying to configure my audio so that the sound in AC3 encoded files would provide better sound quality when it came to voices in movies, etc. I've tried changing hardware, software, codecs, players, etc, but I seem to not be able to get any better quality... this is my current setup, and please ask if you need to know more:

Soundblaster Live! 5.1
Zalman 5.1 ZM-RS6F Headphones
AC3Filter 1.01a RC5

If anyone would be so kind as to give me some assistance with this problem, or even point me in the right direction (other boards, sites, etc), it would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks in advance guys

[kschang]

What software movie playr are you using?

[Farshid420]

Well, first off, thanks for replying so quickly!

I've tried using VLC, WinDVD, PowerDVD, MicroDVD, and Zoom Player, with relatively similar results - the voices stay the same, barely audible

By better sound quality with voices, I pretty much mean so that I can hear them without having to blast up the sound and make myself go deaf with the rest of the sounds in the movie clip.

I've already tried messing with the options in AC3Filter configuration panel, boosting the centre speaker, the voice gain, the master gain, etc., but nothing has given me the effect where all other sounds stay the same but the voice becomes more audible, which is exactly what I'm trying to do :/

[rallynavvie]

You'll probably get quicker/better answers to this in the audio forum. Ask a mod to move it for ya.

[Farshid420]

Thanx for the advice rallynavvie, and if there's a mod reading this thread, and you think I'd get a better response in the audio forum, please move it over at your convenience

Update: I just messaged a mod to move it over

[offline]

Well that mod must be in the videohelp bathroom so I'll move it for you.

[Farshid420]

Thank you so much Mr Peabody!

[mikiem]

"For the longest time I've been trying to configure my audio so that the sound in AC3 encoded files would provide better sound quality when it came to voices in movies, etc. I've tried changing hardware, software, codecs, players, etc, but I seem to not be able to get any better quality..."

If a DVD uses the theater tracks for audio, normal dialog can vary from low to nearly inaudible, the reason being, you don't have the same equipment or listening environment.

The easiest way to fix it for listening/viewing is to use something like Power DVD and set the audio environment or whatever to compress the audio volume into a smaller dynamic range, sort of averaging the loudness. Depending on your version, plugins etc., you'll get several choices.

[Farshid420]

Thanx for the help mikiem!

Any other suggestions, especially ones that may help me improve AC3 sound quality in general (over all players) would still be much appreciated