Can't get digital audio from PC to AV Receiver

[ajocius]

Hi,

I have ASUS P5AD2-E Premium motherboard with integrated C-Media audio chip CMI 9980. I would like to use optical audio out socket to get unprocessed digital audio signal to my AV receiver, that should process the signal and distribute to the right channels. However I do not find an option in C-Media Audio 3D Configuration window to select. The only time I get some audio out is when I select Digital Audio Live button, but I believe this option is actually process the siganl and sends out analog signal to AV Receiver via optical cable. I come to that conclusion, since I can control sound volume from PC. This is not an option if I get digital sound from other sources. In those cases I can only regulate sound on my AV receiver, since that is where sound is processed and amplified.

[ajocius]

added three screenshots to ilustrate what I am talking about. One screenshot is from C-Media 3D Audio configuration and two others are from WinDVD v6, where I can open files with DTS or DD sound and play back. I can get 5.1 sound if I direct sound through Audigy 2 soundcard to my 5.1 speaker setup for PC. However, when I direct sound to the onboard C-Media card (which has optical out jack), I do not get an option to pass S/PDIF out.

I have AC3 filter installed on PC, could that do decoding and passing out analog signal?

I also tried to open files with winamp which has Winamp AC3 decoder. Once I sent signal out to my AV receiver, I finaly got that digital noice through my loudspeakers. I thought I finally got digital signal out, but then I am bewildered on why is it not decoded by my Yamaha RX-V2600 receiver, that is capable to decode both DTS and DD?

[Skelsgard]

In order to send Digital audio to our AV receiver, u need to things on the PC side: a digital output (wich u have) and an audio renderer with SPDIF capabilities.
If any of those are missing, then u can´t have digital audio to your receiver.
If u decode with AC3Filter, just select "Use SPDIF" in the Main window. Where in SPDIF mode, the Output channels selection won´t have any effect but the PCM bitdepth might (If so, try them all until u find the one that works without clicks or problems.
If you have an Audigy 2, u´ll have to set the bitdepth to "PCM 24bit", i would recommend u to send thru the Audigy and leave the onboard audio alone).
Also, in the System window, "SPDIF Passthrough" section, AC3 and DTS must be selected. And in the "SPDIF options" section, leave everything unchecked.
If u´re using a DVD player, it´s different for every player, for example in WinDVD u must select "S/PDIF to external processor" in the audio tab, or in PowerDVD, u have to set in Configuration --> Audio --> Speaker Environment --> Use SPDIF.
The Audigy 2 soundcard is always outputting thru the digital output. Don´t know about the C-Media one (try posting in image hosts like Imagevenue or Imageshack, some atachment can take up to several days before they´re approved).
Cheers.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Most software media players offer various "audio output" modes for different audio formats.

For instance, with MediaPlayer Classic when playing files containing AC3 or DTS audio you need to visit: View -> Options -> Internal Filters. And check the AC3 and DTS Transform Filter options. And then double click over one of them to gain access to Properties. And then select the following options: -

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1112/spdifsettingsik0.png


Cheers

[ajocius]

Ok, I switched to Creative Audigy 2 ZS (B400) card that has SPDIF out through minijack. I have enabled SPDIF passthrough in AudioHQ utility from Creative. I get the sound, but I think it is not true 5.1 chanel digital audio. Yamaha Receiver identifies audio stream as PCM. Once I hook up sat receiver to the same AV Receiver, I get PCM on chanells that have only stereo sound. Once I have AC3 sound, AV receiver identifies it as Dolby Digital. This is why I conclude that PC decodes AC3 sound on DVD that I am watching and sends only two channels sound to receiver. Attached are some settings on my PC (AudioHQ and TheaterTek).

Could that be that some software/filters like AC3Filter or ffdshow does this job without me knowing about it?

How should I proceed to get digital audio to my receiver?

[ajocius]

Thanks for replies guys. I will definitelly try out Windows Media Player Classic tonight. I actuall tried it yesterday and didn't manage to get digital sound out. Will try today again with options you pointed out. I have to say I liked MPC as it tells what signal info it is working with and what reender filters it uses.

Sorry, not familiar yet with ImageSchack, will try to learn.

Skelsgard, why did you recomment to set bitdepth to PCM24 bit. The source DVD file was having 48 kHx 16bit AC3 audio.

Will post my findings later today

[ajocius]

Hello,

I have selected exactly as adviced
http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mpc1mq7.jpg

Result the same. Receiver still shows PCM 2 channel and I can still control volume through my PC... What I also noticed, that after I close MPC and open again, SPDIF option is not selected, so I have to go to options and do the change. Something is overriding MPC settings every time. It is possible that one need to restart MPC before redirection through SPDIF happens. In that case, I wont have digital sound as after restart, option is set to "Decode to Speakers"

[ajocius]

Additionally, if I go to play - > Filters I get following options to select:
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3320/mpc2ep6.th.jpg

I then Select SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio (B400) from the list and get it's properties:

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1682/mpc3qx7.th.jpg

There one could easy see that channels are only two.... Advanced tab does not have info and the last tab "Pin info" has following info (where again I can see 2 channels)

CLSID: {18C16B08-6497-420E-AD14-22D21C2CEAB7}
Filter: Audio Switcher
Pin: Out

- Connection media type:

Audio: WAVE_FORMAT_EXTENSIBLE 48000Hz stereo 1536Kbps

AM_MEDIA_TYPE:
majortype: MEDIATYPE_Audio {73647561-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
subtype: MEDIASUBTYPE_PCM {00000001-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
formattype: FORMAT_WaveFormatEx {05589F81-C356-11CE-BF01-00AA0055595A}
bFixedSizeSamples: 1
bTemporalCompression: 0
lSampleSize: 1
cbFormat: 40

WAVEFORMATEX:
wFormatTag: 0xfffe
nChannels: 2
nSamplesPerSec: 48000
nAvgBytesPerSec: 192000
nBlockAlign: 4
wBitsPerSample: 16
cbSize: 22 (extra bytes)

WAVEFORMATEXTENSIBLE:
wValidBitsPerSample: 16
dwChannelMask: 0x00000003
SubFormat: {00000001-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}

pbFormat:
0000: fe ff 02 00 80 bb 00 00 00 ee 02 00 04 00 10 00 þÿ..€»...î......
0010: 16 00 10 00 03 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 10 00 ................
0020: 80 00 00 aa 00 38 9b 71 €..ª.8›q

- Enumerated media type 0:

Audio

AM_MEDIA_TYPE:
majortype: MEDIATYPE_Audio {73647561-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
subtype: TIME_FORMAT_NONE {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
formattype: TIME_FORMAT_NONE {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
bFixedSizeSamples: 1
bTemporalCompression: 0
lSampleSize: 1
cbFormat: 0

[SeeMoreDigital]

It could be that another AC3 decoder filters is getting in the way :scared:

When you play your file in MPC, click on: Play -> Filters. If no other filters are in the way you should just see "AC3 Audio Decoder"... Like this: -

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/1524/testcv9.png

Is this what you see?


Cheers

[ajocius]

I have posted the picture above of the filters I see.
AC3 Audio decoder is there, but also there are others... Please see above

P.S. How do you get this big and clear image to the post, I only get small...

[Skelsgard]

With AC3Filter and the Audigy 2 ZS, if u intend to use SPDIF this is what u need:

1)Set the AC3/DTS decoding to SPDIF passthrough:

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3798/audconjk0.jpg


2) Set AC3Filter to SPDIF (your settings must be as in the pics):

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/445/ac3filter01sp5.jpg
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/8140/ac3filter02ad1.jpg

Don´t Enable "Use AC3 encoder", as your source if AC3 won´t need it, and if DTS, would be transcoded to AC3.
Don´t enable "Output SPDIF as PCM" as your AC3/DTS wonpt be recognized properly by the receiver.
U can use Restrict sample rate to --> 48 kHz, but it´s not needed as the Audigy outputs as 48kHz or 96kHz as selected in the SPDIF I/O in the Audio Console.

Note:
the Audigy 2 ZS is ALWAYS outputting thru the Digital Out connector. This "Digital Out only" option just mutes the speakers, so no sound will come from them, but it doesn´t mean that is outputting the audio undecoded (this option is in point No. 1).

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/4104/speakergd4.jpg

When u output thru SPDIF, the signal is ALWAYS a 2-ch signal no matter what type of audio is (PAM, AC3, DTS), wich is decoded according to the flags it carries. I.e. if u have an AC3 that is detected as PCM, u´ll get noise when decoded by the receiver.

Cheers.

[ajocius]

I have followed everything you have suggested Skelsgard. Set up AC3Filter exactly the same way.

I have opened with MPC a DVD containing AC3 sound. The only thing I hear was soum noice. Receiver says that it receives PCM sound, and as you pointed in the last point it was supposed to happen. But where do I go from here?

I would like to eliminate audio cable as a possible cause for the problem. As adviced in another post, I used regular audio cable. Minijack at one end with three contacts (that goes to digital out on Audigy 2); the other end of audio cable has two plugs with two contacts each (regular stereo left and right plugs). I have plugged white plug into digital coax in on receiver.

[raquete]

MPClassic is showing that your source is
"English (Captions),AC3 48000Hz 16bits 2 channel(s)"

http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mpc1mq7.jpg

you need to select in "navigate-->audio language" to the 5.1 track(if any) or you are opening the vob and lose the option to select the right track(audio language).
you have to open the IFO!

regards

[ajocius]

I can see that I took a screen shot when 2 channels audio was on. I meant to show what my settings were on properties when I took screenshot, so I didnt take a look at the number of channels reported then. But when I watch DVD, then same line says 6 channels, AC3 48kHX, 16bit.

I didn't open vob separately. I just opened MPC and selected File-> OpenDVD (if I remember correctly)

[raquete]

well,here again is showing that your source is stereo 2 channels:
Audio: WAVE_FORMAT_EXTENSIBLE 48000Hz stereo 1536Kbps <---

WAVEFORMATEX:
wFormatTag: 0xfffe
nChannels: 2 <---
nSamplesPerSec: 48000
nAvgBytesPerSec: 192000
nBlockAlign: 4
wBitsPerSample: 16
cbSize: 22 (extra bytes)

WAVEFORMATEX:
wFormatTag: 0xfffe
nChannels: 2 <---
nSamplesPerSec: 48000
nAvgBytesPerSec: 192000
nBlockAlign: 4
wBitsPerSample: 16
cbSize: 22 (extra bytes)


take a look in my "pin info" when i load one ac3 5.1 audio only track:
CLSID: {B4A7BE85-551D-4594-BDC7-832B09185041}
Filter: E:\deles.ac3
Pin: Output

- Connection media type:

Audio: PCM (AC3) 44000Hz 6ch 512Kbps <---

AM_MEDIA_TYPE:
majortype: MEDIATYPE_Audio {73647561-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
subtype: MEDIASUBTYPE_DOLBY_AC3 {E06D802C-DB46-11CF-B4D1-00805F6CBBEA}
formattype: FORMAT_WaveFormatEx {05589F81-C356-11CE-BF01-00AA0055595A}
bFixedSizeSamples: 1
bTemporalCompression: 0
lSampleSize: 1
cbFormat: 18

WAVEFORMATEX:
wFormatTag: 0x0001
nChannels: 6 <---
nSamplesPerSec: 44000
nAvgBytesPerSec: 64000
nBlockAlign: 0
wBitsPerSample: 0
cbSize: 18 (extra bytes)

pbFormat:
0000: 01 00 06 00 e0 ab 00 00 00 fa 00 00 00 00 00 00 ....à«...ú......
0010: 12 00

to try to help,i need to be sure that you select the 5.1 track!
please do that and post the "pin info"!
;)

[kurt]

just a side note: on my terratec card I have to enable "use wave out as deafault audio renderer" in ac3filter otherwise it doesn't work...

btw: I like the spdif output in mpc most. But there I have to disable the build_in audioswitcherto get a proper audio signal

[ajocius]

First of all thank you very much for trying to help me out. i have been waiting for couple of years until my budget allowed to change receiver with proper loudspeakers. This time has come, I installed the system, pluged PC to it and ...no luck so far with sound... Really hope to sort it out.

raquete, this is exactly my point that I get only 2 channels after audio is being reendered by PC. This is what I try to turn off. Even at the time I saw 6 channels at the bottom of MPC, pin info was giving me 2 channels. I will post screenshots once I get home later today (in about 6 hours).

By the way, how to post screenshots the way Skelsgard and SeeMoreDigital does? When I post it, I only get small picture, once clicked it opens ImageShack page that contains not that clear picture as my original one... (not to this subject, but would help me to upload better screenshots of what I have)

[kurt]

immageshack gives you multiple options to post your pics in a forum. The easiest is just to pick the direct link adress to the image and make the http://...*.jpg-code. Then it will work without the thumbnails....

Edit: here is an "official" explanation: http://forum.doom9.org/misc.php?do=bbcode#imgcode

[Skelsgard]

I have opened with MPC a DVD containing AC3 sound. The only thing I hear was soum noice. Receiver says that it receives PCM sound, and as you pointed in the last point it was supposed to happen. But where do I go from here?

Is it possible that u have MPC´s internal AC3 filter ON, therefore not using AC3Filter for decoding?
Check Kurt´s suggestion too on "Default Wave Renderer" on the System tab.
Cheers.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Personally, I would not install/use "AC3Filter" until after I've got the sound-cards SPDIF output working. In-fact I don't have it installed at all.....

My PC's MSI motherboard is fitted with an "on-board" (RealTek AC97 chip-set) SPDIF output and offers very simple output control options: -

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6813/ac97xr7.png


Here are my WinXP speaker output options: -

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/9976/winxpmd8.png

I'm able to send/pass un-fettered AC3 or DTS bit-streams along to my external DSS amplifier without issue.

Sadly, as I don't run Creative Sound Blaster Audigy sound card anymore... I don't think I can be of any further help.


Cheers

[ajocius]

ok, I have uninstalled AC3Filter to make sure it does not stand in a way. I have also took another screenshot to shot that it actually has 6 channels audio in a source file. As I mentioned, I selected DVD filme containign surround sound of 6 channels.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8966/mpc5su8.jpg


Skelsgard said:
"Is it possible that u have MPC´s internal AC3 filter ON, therefore not using AC3Filter for decoding?
Check Kurt´s suggestion too on "Default Wave Renderer" on the System tab."

I am not sure what filter are used. How do I know that??? I have selected filter in a menu, you can see that in the picture above, what is availabe. Does it mean, that all these filters are working and reendering audio to 2 channels? I honestly do not know how to define which filter does devil's job here...

Raquete, I can see that our "pin info" details are different, however how to interprate that and fien the cause of me loosing 6 channels and getting only two... I can see here my Filter is Audio Switcher, yours is Filter: E:\deles.ac3. Seems like different filters were employed. Next difference : Mine:Pin: Out; Yours : Pin: Output (if this matters). The follows number of lines of hard to interprate lines and in WAVEFORMATEX section you have 6 channels, I only get 2 channels. It is interesting here in line nBlockAlign I have 4 and you have 0. Seems like 4 of my channels are blocked???

[ajocius]

After I removed AC3Filter, I still got 2 channels audio in the output and audio was detected as PCM by my Yamaha2600 AV receiver.

I installed AC3Filter again (version 1.10b). Set up as instructed in this thread. Selected "use wave out as deafault audio renderer" this time as suggested by Kurt. Please see my selections:
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/1808/ac3filter1jk7.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9880/ac3filter1ws4.jpg

I get know noice through my loudspeakers as if I would send digital sound through analog audio system. This is the sound that I used to get through the PC speakers when playing DD or DTS sound prior installing software compatible to decode digital sound. Seems like I send out signal from PC that is not understood by my AV receiver. But as I mentioned, Yamaha 2600 is perfectly capable to decode DD and DTS sound.

So where is the filter that does something I really do not want..???

[raquete]

now your picture show that you're using 5.1 channels but...

first: the screenshot that you posted in the first page(not the last here) show that your source is 2 channels and i copy my "pin info" showing that my source is 5.1.
the copy of your "pin info" is showing clearly that your source is 2 channels.
as we are trying to find the solution,i and the remainders here are using your informations posted and i was sure that your source was 2 channels....the informations posted are the base of the help that you get in the whole forum!

second: i clearly wrote that my source is ac3 5.1 audio only (no video) to show you how are differents ours "pin info" because the sources have differents numbers of channels.
this is the reason of the differences when you're doing comparisons.

please check my old post to confirm this details. http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=884286&postcount=15

regards

[ajocius]

Raquete, I agree with you. My first picture was taken with two channels audio. This was my mistake, I was changing set up everywhere I could think of and did not pay attention enough to what I save under screenshot. The majority of streams I tried where AC3 sound together with video of course, as my audio is coming from VideoDVD.

Pin info shows 2 channels now as well as all the time . I understood this is the output information. So no change here.

When it comes to audio only. Does it matter if I decode audio only file (I tried to play couple of DD and DTS demo files as well) or audio that comes with DVD Video?? If there is a difference, I can, of course, stop with video and find somewhere proper AC3 audio file to play with. Just didn't think it mattered.

My point there was that different filters where employed and therefore probably the outcome was different.

[SeeMoreDigital]

What does....

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9916/internp1.jpg

do?

[ajocius]

have no idea, how should I remove it. I can uninstall Intervideo WinDVD. Perhaps this has installed Audio Processor FX that you are reffering to

[ajocius]

Opened InterVideo WinDVD6 and opened the same video DVD file with AC3 6 channels audio.Right click and selecting set up brings me to following picture here:

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8360/intervideo1xs6.jpg

I have then looked into information tab, and following info is available about audio:
Audio:
Hardware:
Audio Device: waveout
S/PDIF: None
Number of speakers: 8
Stream:
Type: Dolby Digital (AC3)
Bitrate: 448 Kbps
Number of main channels: 5
LFE Channel: Present
Sampling Frequency: 48khz
Bits Per Sample: 16
Output:
Sample Rate: 48 KHz
Bits per Sample: 16

[ajocius]

Digital S/PDIF out to external processor is greyd out as you can see. Could this be a reason for not getting out digital audio out? or is it just statement that there is no possibility to get digital out (as probably some filter is downgrading soudn to 2 channels)

[Skelsgard]

@SeeMoreDigital
The Intervideo Audio Processor FX is use by WinDVD to render with special filters, basically DMO, and select a given number of channels according to the technologies to be applied. I.e. if u select 6 channels, u can also use Expansion thru ICE or Dolby Prologic I/II. Or if u select 2 channels, u can use TruSurround XT, or Dolby VS , etc.

@ajocius
As u intend to use SPDIF output, THIS is the filter that is getting in the way screwing things up!!! Get it out of there.
No need to uninstall WinDVD. Just found where it is, its name is probably "auprocfx.ax" (at least in WinDVD 5). Use a Start --> Run --> regsvr32 /U "C:\[path]\auprocfx.ax" to unregistered just that filter, and then try again with MPC. This time the filter should not be in the filter chain.
And with any luck, u should be having SPDIF.

P.D. if u still wanna use AC3Filter, in MPC go to View --> Options --> Internal Filters --> Transform Filters --> Disable/deselect AC3 and DTS.

Cheers.

[ajocius]

@Skelsgard, I managed to unregister Intervideo codec as adviced:
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4395/reg1js9.jpg

There are still many filters in the list (all as in picture in earlier post, except Intervideo). Some of them are related to video, but some of them to audio. Pin info states 2 channels as before, AV receiver recognizes audio as PCM 2 channel and there is no sound from loudspeakers , just some silent noise (not like the one I had earlier)

[Skelsgard]

With or without Ac3Filter?

[Skelsgard]

Crap, forgot about something: in the Options tab, select SBAudigy 2 ZS as renderer, not DirectShow.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5571/mpcib7.jpg

Cheers.

[ajocius]

AC3Filter is in the list.

Have changed to SB Audigy as audio reenderer under options in MPC.

Still no luck.

[kurt]

btw: here is a short sample (XviD,AC3) (http://home.arcor.de/kurdt/divers/sample%20AC3%20+%20XviD.avi), just to make sure you have a proper file with AC3 sound.
I would rather try to manage it with a mpeg4 file than with mpeg2, cause of all these filter chains (intervideo...). If it runs with the file above, then it shoud work also with a DVD (AC3).

1. install haali medisplitter and make sure it uses avi
2. install xvid decoder or ffdhsow. (in case of ffdshow "disable" complete AC3 support in audio config)
3. go to mpc's config dialog and set it as below

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3893/jotr5.jpg

4. disable build-in audio switcher

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3715/jo2lq8.jpg

5. uninstall ac3filter or just set prefer other decoder under "Filter merit" (AC3filter)
6. enable somewhere in your sound card configuration "spdif" support

then it should work with the file. If it doesn't, install ac3filter and make the exact settings as in your picture. (wave output, maybe 16bit in the first window) or try in mpc different directshow output methods (wave out, audigy, direct sound...)

BTW: Your sound card work in 24bit modus? my terratec uses only 16bit

[Skelsgard]

BTW: Your sound card work in 24bit modus?
For AC3Filter, the 24bits option must be selected for proper decoding with the Audigy´s hardware decoder, to wich u send thru SPDIF.

[ajocius]

Didn't try Kurt suggestion yet. Will probably try it soon, but for the moment are not keen to install yet another package. I have Xvid and ffdshow already, but not familiar of the haali media splitter.

Currently I get no sound through speakers at all when I play with MPC. Opening DVD in WinDVD gives me some sound, but not all. I can hear some background sound (motors of the vehicles) but not the speech of movie characters. So I get only some channels through the connection only.

When I selected Creative audio setup utility and pressed on Test (to get 6 channels audio individually) it works fine for front loudspeakers. When it says left and right surround, it comes out from front speakers, not back...

Guys, is there a way to get a log of what is happening with audio signal? I fear that some filter from some other program/codec is messing around. Should I find all files with extension .ax and list here to see which needs to be disable? I can also post programs currently installed on this PC. I also thinking on installing a version of XP on completely new HDD and disable onboard card, use just Creative (or vise versa).

There must be the way at the end of the day.

[raquete]

off topic
@ ajociuos
yesterday i was typing one new post and hosting one sample ac3 5.1(music for your tests).my pc suicide in the middle of the post(was needed round 18 hours to correct).
if you want the sample,please pm me and i host the sample again.
now i need to read what i lost in the thread.
regards

[ajocius]

this sounds like forbidden zone... you PC crashed, I lost sound completely...

There was a sound above in the post and I also used SeeMoreDigital samples from his homepage. But I always ready to give another try. I only fear it is not a source, but Either my cable (nobody replied if the cable solution I use should be enough ) or some filters that are messing around. I heard that programs like Zoom Player are able to enable or disable various filters, codecs, reenderers... We started testings with MPC in this thread, which I am happy with, but so far no result.

[raquete]

ajocius,
download sample (overture-Tommy-The Who) : http://rapidshare.de/files/36084216/Overture.rar.html

pictures playing "overture" (no SPDIF):

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5171/o7up7.th.png (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=o7up7.png)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5448/o1ka9.th.png (http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=o1ka9.png)

http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/354/o2uo9.th.png (http://img437.imageshack.us/my.php?image=o2uo9.png)

http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/3929/o3vi0.th.png (http://img437.imageshack.us/my.php?image=o3vi0.png)

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/9227/o4pj7.th.png (http://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=o4pj7.png)

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8153/o5dj6.th.png (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=o5dj6.png)

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7182/o6py9.th.png (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=o6py9.png)

test and tell us.(if needed we restart all until works)
regards!
:)

[ajocius]

Helo raquete,

Downloaded your audio file. I could not hear any sound when I played via audigy card. I then tried to swithch to onboard audio (that has optical out connection). AV Receiver accepted that as DD sound ( at least it doesn't say PCM, but DolbyDigital and shows 6 channels instead of 2). So I continue with onboard audio for the moment.

AC2 Filter I did setup exactly as on your second screenshot.

I wnet to AC3Filter PinInfo. That one looks different, I do not know why:

----------------------------------------------
- Connected to:

CLSID: {B4A7BE85-551D-4594-BDC7-832B09185041}
Filter: C:\Documents and Settings\Arunas\Desktop\Overture.ac3
Pin: Output

- Connection media type:

Audio: PCM (AC3) 44000Hz 6ch 448Kbps

AM_MEDIA_TYPE:
majortype: MEDIATYPE_Audio {73647561-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
subtype: MEDIASUBTYPE_DOLBY_AC3 {E06D802C-DB46-11CF-B4D1-00805F6CBBEA}
formattype: FORMAT_WaveFormatEx {05589F81-C356-11CE-BF01-00AA0055595A}
bFixedSizeSamples: 1
bTemporalCompression: 0
lSampleSize: 1
cbFormat: 18

WAVEFORMATEX:
wFormatTag: 0x0001
nChannels: 6
nSamplesPerSec: 44000
nAvgBytesPerSec: 56000
nBlockAlign: 0
wBitsPerSample: 0
cbSize: 18 (extra bytes)

pbFormat:
0000: 01 00 06 00 e0 ab 00 00 c0 da 00 00 00 00 00 00 ....à«..ÀÚ......
0010: 12 00
----------------------------------

I did set up main AC3 Filter page as per your set up. Under Decoder Info I see following info:

--------------------------------
Input format: AC3 - 44000
User format: PCM16 3/2.1 (5.1) 0
Output format: PCM16 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100

Decoding chain:
(AC3 - 44000) -> Decoder -> (Linear PCM 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100) -> Processor -> (PCM16 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100) -> Dejitter -> (PCM16 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100)

Filters info (in order of processing):

Decoder:
AC3
speakers: 3/2.1 (5.1)
sample rate: 44100Hz
bitrate: 448kbps
stream: 8 bit
frame size: 1950 bytes
nsamples: 1536
bsid: 8
clev: -3.0dB (0.7071)
slev: -3.0dB (0.7071)
dialnorm: -31dB
bandwidth: 14kHz/20kHz

Processor:
(Linear PCM 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100) -> Input levels -> (Linear PCM 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100) -> Mixer -> (Linear PCM 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100) -> Bass redirection -> (Linear PCM 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100) -> AGC -> (Linear PCM 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100) -> Delay -> (Linear PCM 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100) -> Output levels -> (Linear PCM 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100) -> Linear->PCM converter -> (PCM16 3/2.1 (5.1) 44100)

Dejitter:
-

---------------------------------------

Mixer;Gains pages looks exactly the same.

About page also looks the same :)

I am not sure if this is the solution, since now we use AC3Filter to decode signal and send to receiver. I would prefer to send raw signal to decode it in receiver. Maybe I am wrong in my assumption above.. ?? I can still control volume from my PC that is not the case when I use other sources with AC3 sound (I use satellite receiver to send audio signal via optical cable to the same receiver).

Am I anywhere closer?

[setarip_old]

@ajocious

Hi!

Do you also, perhaps, have the "AC3ACM" codec installed on your system?

[raquete]

@ajocious

Hi!

Do you also, perhaps, have the "AC3ACM" codec installed on your system?
Bingo! lol
i'm sure that he don't have and my pictures was posted to remove his doubts!
:)

[Rockaria]

@ajocius, I am answering based on your first few posts. The quotes are a bit reorganized by the logical order.
The only time I get some audio out is when I select Digital Audio Live button, but I believe this option is actually process the siganl and sends out analog signal to AV Receiver via optical cable. I come to that conclusion, since I can control sound volume from PC. This is not an option if I get digital sound from other sources. In those cases I can only regulate sound on my AV receiver, since that is where sound is processed and amplified.
This is not quite true. It's still within the digital domain(5.1ch ac3->5.1ch PCM->5.1ch DDLive ac3).
If you want to exclude the decoding & lossy reencoding process, you can choose :
1. use windvd/powerdvd spdif passthru option, which will require the stream compatibility(i.e. 48khz) between driver, codec, receiver
2. use ffdshow's codec->ac3->spdif or corresponding new ac3filter feature, which will behave similar to above : bypassing the player & mixer DSPs.
BTW, I am not quite sure what the some audio out means. Does it play in 5.1ch, 48khz?

I have ASUS P5AD2-E Premium motherboard with integrated C-Media audio chip CMI 9980. I would like to use optical audio out socket to get unprocessed digital audio signal to my AV receiver, that should process the signal and distribute to the right channels. However I do not find an option in C-Media Audio 3D Configuration window to select.

As far as the SPDIF is enabled, the default is to digital-out the two front channels regardless of the (analog) speaker configurations.
So far, I haven't found/concluded a solution to 5.1(L)PCM-out to a receiver. Only the FFDShow has the LPCM out mode, which might be a good experiment with better receivers. And the receiver compatibility is another issue(2.0 PCM is normal, 5.1 (L)PCM is not specified in RX-V2600 spec)

<conclusion>
1. if the ac3 source is stream-compatible, choose the pure passthrough mode mentioned above
2. if you need any DSPs to make the stream compatible, rely on the DDLive solutions(ffdshow, ac3filter, CMI9980...) with a bit latency
3. the sound card quality(esp the DAC) does not matter much in the digital domain for media play purpose(audigy will be better for gaming effects)

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2288&p=2
http://www.behardware.com/articles/555-5/intel-high-definition-audio.html
http://www.cmedia.com.tw/?q=en/pci_audio
http://reviews.cnet.com/Yamaha_RX_V2600/4507-6466_7-31642004.html?tag=sub
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=730477

http://forum.doom9.org/showpost.php?p=849509&postcount=10
Good luck,

[SeeMoreDigital]

I am not sure if this is the solution, since now we use AC3Filter to decode signal and send to receiver. I would prefer to send raw signal to decode it in receiver. Maybe I am wrong in my assumption above.. ?? I can still control volume from my PC that is not the case when I use other sources with AC3 sound (I use satellite receiver to send audio signal via optical cable to the same receiver).As I mentioned earlier you don't need AC3Filter installed to pass a viable RAW AC3 and/or DTS bit-stream over SPDIF onto your DSS amplifier!

For the purposes of setting up your PC, sound card and amplifier you should keep the filter chain as simple as possible and not install/use any un-necessary third-party softwares.

Once you have everything working with your basic sound card filters and software media player AC3/DTS filters, you can re-install AC3 filter and experiment with transcoding etc...


Cheers

[Rockaria]

@SMD, we may need to clarify one thing if I understand you correctly.
For the purposes of setting up your PC, soundcard and amplifier you should keep the filter chain as simple as possible by removing/deleting any un-necessary filters
It seems very clear that he wants to exclude the decoding & re-encoding process, which is the original passthrough, not requiring any filter chain, bypassing the player DSPs and system mixer.
The spdif out at the end of the filter chain or system mixer is kinda DDLive solution.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Okay I've changed that paragraph. It now reads: - For the purposes of setting up your PC, sound card and amplifier you should keep the filter chain as simple as possible and not install/use any un-necessary third-party softwares.


Cheers

[Rockaria]

Well, it was clear before the modification, now a crystal clear general problem solving rule which I agree : step by step process : variable control.

And I remember you also clarified the differences between spdif passthru and dynamic dd encoding out very clearly on FFDShow somewhat long ago but less than a year... which I believe is the KEY word here.

PS. @SMD,
By the appearence of the MPC internal ac3 decoder setup, I see the (pure) spdif passthru option is provided and agree it should have no problems with correct sources.
In case the DDLive is required(i.e resampling), other filters(ac3filter, ffdshow,,) need to be attached or rely on the system mixer ddlive(if any).

<after the full review>
If the ac3 stream is not compatible(as we strongly suspect now) it will fail to send as ac3 streams to the receiver(or the option is disabled like windvd)
Any fully stream-compatible ac3 sources should have no problem with MPC/FFDShow/AC3filter codec level spdif-passthru.

It seems the problem solved (to me).

[ajocius]

I am honestly impressed!!!

The problem is solved for you guys!!!

Maybe for me as well, but I still not have surround sound passed to my receiver. I have read this post today and got more questions then answers. Honestly, do not know even where to start. Will sit down when I have couple of hours free from kids, family and work, will go through every suggestion here. It just that I will need wikipedia and other sources to understand what you are suggesting. Turn on this, turn off that.... but what application do you guys use ... I have no idea. "Do you have AC3ACM codec" - I don't really know if I have it. Codecs are something that you now always intentionaly install. Sometimes it comes together with some other application and I do not know if it is on my PC.

I thought there is simple solution. Like with satellite receiver. I plug in it to my receiver. If I have stereo sound coming from sat receiver, this is what AV receiver identifies, then it does somethign so I hear sound through all 5 speakers in a room. Of course, it is not surround sound, but somethign good, what you can get from stereo sound. I can regulate volumefrom both my AV receiver and sat receiver. If I select AC3 sound from sat receiver, then my AV receiver identifies it as Dolby Digital and I can hear true surround sound through my 5.1 speaker set up. I can control volume only with my AV receiver. This one I understand, since it is not analog audio that is passed out from sat receiver. I was expecting something similar from my HTPC. I thought as long as I enable SPDIF passthrough and put the source of 5.1 channel audio (either AC3 file, or DVD with AC3 sound, or DTS audio or DD audio file) I should get it recognised by AV receiver and I should hear true surround sound. Instead, after all changes u till now, I get no sound at all with my Audigy 2 sound card and some audio (like I hear traffic noise in the filme scene, but do not hear what actors are speaking) with my onboard audio card. I don't think I can hear sound from surround speakers, only from front speakers. It is complete mess at the moment. In other words worse than what I have began with. This is why I think I have to take my time reading all your suggestings again and try to understand it. If DSF means something to you guys related to audio, to me it is a German Sport TV Channel. So we are talking different languages. At the beginnign I was getting some straightforward suggestions from SeeMoreDigital and raquete and I followed them. However I am not able to follow what Rockaria is suggesting.

I'll take my time, read it, try to understand it, change my system settings and then I will post back.

Thank you.

[setarip_old]

I don't really know if I have it. Codecs are something that you now always intentionaly install. Sometimes it comes together with some other application and I do not know if it is on my PC.Control Panel>>System>>Hardware>>Device Manager>>Sound,Video, and Game controllers>>Audio codecs

[ajocius]

Those are the filters I currently have under:
Control Panel>>System>>Hardware>>Device Manager>>Sound,Video, and Game controllers>>Audio codecs

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/60/cp2ea6.jpg