Going insane with AC3 recode

[moadib2k]

Here is the deal, I have a ac3 file which I demuxed from vob and set up in an avs container using nicac3source("file", Channels=6, DRC=0). In this file is also the video etc....

It does not seem to matter what I do to encode the file (or any multichannel ac3) it keeps getting down-mixed to 2 channel.

I am using canopus pro coder to do the encode, setting procoder to use wma 10 pro 384 5.1 channel 16 bit. Canopus sees that the audio is 6 channel but it's getting down mixed.

Here is what I have done to try and figure it out.

If I render the AC3 using ac3filter and graphedit, ac3filter shows 6 channels of input and 6 channels of output going to my default waveout device.

If I open the ac3 file in WMP 11, ac3filter is showing 6 channels of input with only 2 channels of output.

If I open the avs file in Media Player Classic, I have 6 channels of audio. If I open it in WMP11 I only have two.

The render graph is pretty straight forward,
Video:
AVS->ffdshow mpeg-4 video decoder -> video Renderer

Audio:
AVS->AC3Filter->Default Wave out device


What else I have tried:
Remove the audio from the avs file and encode the ac3 file directly. Still getting down-mixed.

Using AC3 Filter set to wave out and WME. Will not encode as anything other than 2 channel.

Run the avs file through TMPGEnc 4 xPress, error during encode.

My guess is that somewhere windows is forcing this into a 2 channel mix and I cant figure out where. I have the speakers set up to 5.1.

My setup:
E6600 core duo
creative x-fi fatal1ity
windows vista x86 (32 bit)

Currently I am trying again with TMPGEnc using the avs file and pulling the audio directly from the ac3 file instead of the avs file. It seems to be running but I don't know how many channels I will get out. It's really slow going as TMPGEnc does not know how to deal with multi core processors. Its been running 15 minutes to encode 1 minute of video / audio.

There has to be some secret setting in windows that is forcing the downmix, please help before I chew on gunmetal.

[The Boss]

you could try super.

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=SUPER_1

[moadib2k]

you could try super.

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=SUPER_1

Thanks for the suggestion but I have other problems with super. It just does not contain all the options I need (okay want) for bit rates etc...

[noclip]

Your overpriced sound card is probably to blame. The custom Creative drivers fight with Windows' speaker settings, so you have to configure Creative's settings to match your Windows settings.

For future reference, "premium" sound cards are a complete waste of money in the same manner as $150 HDMI Monster Cable is. Unless your hearing abilities somehow exceed those of every person alive today you won't hear any difference between an EAX/XFI/Acronym soup-equipped Creative card and recent motherboard audio (regardless of what Creative or delusional audiophiles tell you). If you're using S/PIDF out, the speakers alone determine the audio quality.

[foxyshadis]

I'd agree for all but motherboard audio - if you have half-decent speakers and good quality music, the difference compared to a decent card is very obvious. But unless you're a recording professional, the cheapest used audigy can take care of that, and if you are, you won't consider any creative card. =p

I know WMP uses a lot of hidden registry keys for settings as well. You might check on whether you need to turn one on to use 6-channel outside of DVDs.