AC3 question

[dvmar]

I use Ty Tools to extract from a DTivo. Ty Tools gives the audio track an m2a extension and supports DD 5.1 (AC3 files) from what I understand. I understand why Windows Media Player doesn't play any of the audio of any of the movies I have saved. I know how to fix it from these forums.
I use a Hauppage Media MVP device to watch stored shows, movies, etc on my av system. It doesn't support AC3 files. Some of my movies will play audio and video with no problem, others won't. I couldn't find any other way to determine the type of audio file on the mpegs created with ty tools other than to bring them into Nero 7 in a project. Nero would then give me info about the video and audio tracks (Mpeg-2, AC-3-2)
Now for the question: All of the movies show the file types as above but some will play and others won't. For example an old movie will play fine but a newer one won't, but they are listing as the same file type. Does ty tools create it as an ac3 file no matter what, and the player can determine whether it was recorded in the dolby format. It seems to me that if it is an ac3 file, and is not supported, nothing would play. I'm asking because before I buy a DMA that supports AC3, I want to understand this AC3 quandry.

[yoda313]

If its an ac3 issue try one of the three codec solutions for ac3:

ac3acmdecompressor
ac3filter
ffdshow


I might try ac3filter first and see if that clears up your playback problem.

Good luck.

[dvmar]

Forgot something, might be another piece of the puzzle.
I mistakenly said all of the movies have no audio in WMP. Some of them don't, like on the Hauppage device. Also I have Nero Showtime which plays everything correctly. I don't care about playback with WMP. Nero I know supports AC3. I think I'm just asking if I'm being stupid to assume that a Digital Media Adapter that supports AC3 could playback these files based on the info I've given about the different issues with WMP and the fact that there are no issues playing back with Nero Showtime. THank you for your help!