Decoding movies with MP3 audio

[Delerue]

Is FFDShow really good decoding movies encoded with MP3 audio? Or there's a better option? Can I use Lame, per example? I use MPC player.

BTW, how can I decode stereo videos with AC3 Filter 1.11 (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/AC3_Filter.htm) set to 5.1 without remixing the 2 'real' (input) channels to all 6 speakers? I mean, with MPC internal 'AC3 filter' stereo videos are decoded only to 2 speakers even if I set the filter to 5.1. The internal filter of MPC only uses all the 6 speakers if the video has 6 'real' (input) channels, what I think is the best option.

Best regards

[foxyshadis]

MPC internal 'AC3 filter' is not the same as the external AC3 filter. If you want to use the mixer in the external, you have to disable the internal or it'll be overridden.

And yes, ffdshow's fine for mp3. Even the windows default decoder (fhg) is fine with the caveat that sound sometimes goes out of sync while seeking with vbr. Lame isn't available as a decoder, sadly.

[Delerue]

is not the same as the external AC3 filter. If you want to use the mixer in the external, you have to disable the internal or it'll be overridden.

Well, if you say that internal AC3 filter from MPC is good, I think I'll use it to decode non-surround videos. But maybe I couldn't make myself clear. Sorry. What I mean is: can I set AC3 filter (the external one) to decode stereo sounds of videos without remixing to all the 6 channels? I don't like to remix stereo sounds because my X-Fi already do it with its drivers.

And yes, ffdshow's fine for mp3. Even the windows default decoder (fhg) is fine with the caveat that sound sometimes goes out of sync while seeking with vbr. Lame isn't available as a decoder, sadly.

Understood. I'll use FFDShow. Thanks, man.

[JarrettH]

I think it's just easier to let ffdshow take care of the video. MPC will work fine for most audio or you can let PureVideo decode some of it too if you have it installed.

Check your config in MPC Audio Switcher to setup your channels correctly.

[foxyshadis]

Well, if you say that internal AC3 filter from MPC is good, I think I'll use it to decode non-surround videos. But maybe I couldn't make myself clear. Sorry. What I mean is: can I set AC3 filter (the external one) to decode stereo sounds of videos without remixing to all the 6 channels? I don't like to remix stereo sounds because my X-Fi already do it with its drivers.

You mean, is it possible to pass through the source channels, whether they're 2.0 or 5.1? Not with AC3filter, it'll up- or downmix everything. I have no idea how MPC's works specifically, but ffdshow's will pass the source channels through if mixing is disabled.

[vlada]

ffdshow can use libmad for MP3 decoding. This library is considered to be the best MP3 decoder available.