Divx AC3 Downmix

[Emp3r0r]

I'm having new problems with my AC3 encoded divx files. The center channel seems too be missing and the subwoofer seems magnified. The dialog in my MP3 muxed divx files are fine. Also, I can't find (get to) that AC3 dialog... oh nevermind I fixed it. Anyway, can anybody recommend the best solution for multi-channel sound output to a dolby digital and 5.1 ready stereo. I want something that will pass any multichannel source such as OGG or AC3. What is my best solution? Is the nForce the only solution? Does anybody know the specifics on the nForce's capabilities? Anybody know of the movie playback possibilities of the nForce or should I look elsewhere?

[MaTTeR]

Currently the only viable solution for muxing a multichannel audio file into an AVI is AC3. Your not the only person waiting for OGG or something similar to come along that supports multichannels:)

Can't really help you with your center channel problem unless you give more information on your hardware & software setup.

EDIT- Check out http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/ if you want to follow the multichannel OGG development.

[Emp3r0r]

Center channel problem seemed to have been caused after evaluting ATI software, but is gone now. Thanks for the interesting link... OGG looks promising these days! Newest Ogg Encoder (http://www.inf.ufpr.br/~rja00/vorbisdaily.zip)

[MaTTeR]

Yes it does indeed look to be making nice progress. Take an AC3 file and output it to a multichannel WAV file using Azid. Now encode it with OGG and see if it plays properly to the different channels. I think maybe the trick is to get it muxed properly into the AVI. I read awhile back that OGG RC2 caused sync issues while trying to seek the AVI. Maybe RC3 has it fixed the issue though.

I'm dying to try it myself but I'm stuck in Atlanta for the next 5 days. This laptop just won't cut it :D

[Emp3r0r]

Do these ogg files have any problems mapping on a 5.1 ready sound card? I wonder if there will be proper decoder filters to pass an ogg soundtrack on to the 6 channels. I'd like to hear 192kbps 5.1 OGG tracks. Seems most people don't even care on divx files... maybe they are satisfied with Prologic or don't have a badass speaker setup. BTW, I hope to have pictures of my speakers for all you DIY people out there.

[MaTTeR]

I just spent almost $200 on a new sub for HT system. I definitely want the 5.1 and from what I understand this works really nicely.

I just heard today you can mux the OGG into the AVI via Nandub. The movie can be played and paused perfectly. The problem right now is that you can't seek in the movie or the sound completely drops out. I can handle that so I'll definitely do some testing this weekend.

I have to agree with you, seems the majority of encoders leave the sound around 128k. Unfortunately some of the best encoders out there like Vite & Dominion are still using stereo in there MP3's instead of joint stereo. Uhg. I'll post my test results later this weekend. What sound card do you have?

[Emp3r0r]

Well right now I only have a AWE 64, yet I'm saving to upgrade to:
A: Turtle Beach Santa Cruz (short term)
B: nForce Motherboard (long term)

I have high quality speakers so I'm always worried about high quality sound.

PS:My poor quality TV makes almost any 1 CD encoded movie look good
PSS:Except U-571.

[BlackSun]

Nice to see you again Emp3r0r :) I am also interested in OGG, and we are discussing the way to use it at least with PowerDivX at www.powerdivx.com

My objectives is to have a 1 CD rip with a good video quality (XviD 2 Pass ?) + Multichannel... Anyway I never tested OGG and it multichannel function. Does the player need to map the audio output to each speakers (I guess yes) or does the only one available filter for OGG by IngoRalfBlum can do that ?

[Emp3r0r]

Not sure about the OGG playback... like you I havn't tested the multichannel features. It would seem smart to have that built into the directshow decoder filter just like the current AC3 directshow filters. I believe the OS handles it from there.

Yes, one CD rips that can rivil DVD's would be very nice. With better codecs to come, I wish technology would speed up some more. I can't wait to be able to load up a < 1 gig file and get that DVD quality I enjoy so much without having to bother with discs. I want a 100+ hard drive just to have the ability to play many movies instantly.

Anyway, enough dreaming.

PS: glad to be back :D