AC3 playback via SPDIF in Windows Media Player

[thunder74]

Hey all

Got a question regarding AC3 playback thru Windows Media Player. I've got AC3Filter installed, however it doesn't seem to want to work with media player at all. I'm running on a SPDIF pass thru on an M-Audio firewire Audiophile, and it always downmixes the AC3 files to stereo.

I know my installation of AC3filter and sound card drivers is good, since Zoomplayer will play back AC3 encoded files with no problem. The reason I want to try and get media player to work is that I'm using beyond media basic as my HT front end, and its nice, large-icon interface for video playback is based around WMP.

Anyone ever get it working?

[SeeMoreDigital]

Hi thunder74, welcome to the forum....

Here's a thought. When running WMP try going to: -

Tools -> Options -> DVD -> Advanced.... And see what appears!

You might have access to AC3 filter in there.


Cheers

EDIT: You might want to try using FFdshow's filters instead of AC3 Filter. I currently have the Sep 20 2005 build installed and it works a charm with all my media players (including WMP 10).

[thunder74]

The AC3Filter dialog shows up under that tab, however it still won't pass thru any AC3 audio. I'll try the FFdshow filters tho.

[SeeMoreDigital]

If you decide to install FFdshow here are some screen shots of the settings you will need to select: -


Primary Settings: For "AC3 and/or "DTS" playback via S/PDIF: -




Secondary Settings: For "All Other Audio Formats", such as AAC to be transcoded and passed via S/PDIF: -




Here's where you can ReSample all your input audio formats so their output sample rates are suitable for use with your DSS external amplifier: -




Here's where you can maximise the AC3 output bit-stream: -





If you go with the above, I would recommend you completely remove AC3 Filter....


Cheers

[EpheMeroN]

Is there a quality difference between AC3Filter and the one provided by ffdshow?

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally Posted by EpheMeroN

Is there a quality difference between AC3Filter and the one provided by ffdshow?

Actually no.... not if all you want to do is pass AC3 and/or DTS audio signals to your external DSS amplifier/decoder.... And I've amended my previous post slightly to show this....

So if all anybody wants to do is pass AC3 and or DTS streams via S/PDIF to an external DSS amplifier/decoder, use the "Primary Settings" only!

If later on you decide you would like to pass other audio stream types, such as AAC, Vorbis etc via S/PDIF to your external DSS amplifier/decoder, use the "Secondary Settings".... as these should allow you to "transcode" most types of audio "on-the-fly" to AC3


Cheers