5.1 is selected, but stereo is outputted: WMV

[Modify_inc]

I am having the worst luck trying to keep my 5.1 surround sound from my ripped Blu Ray's. I use Tsmuxer to mux my video/audio files to M2TS, and downsample the compressed audio to AC3 when needed. I then use TMPGEnc Xpress to convert to WMV. The video looks great when finished, but my audio is in stereo. I selected the WMA 10 Professional with 5.1, yet after it's encoded it is NOT! I can verify that when I entered the audio into Xpress that it confirms the source is 5.1, so what could be causing this, and is there a workaround? I'm running Vista.

I was told I could use AC3Tool to convert it to wave and use that as my audio source in Xpress, but I still get stereo after it is encoded. Please tell me there is a fix or workaround for this.

Is there another app that can open M2TS files silimiar to Xpress, and convert them to WMV and keep my 5.1 surround?

[benwaggoner]

If you open the file in WMP and look in properties, does is show it as being stereo or 5.1? Do you mean it's stereo in that only the L/R are filled? If you're somehow getting folddown before the encoder, that's what you'd expect to happen.

[Modify_inc]

If you open the file in WMP and look in properties, does is show it as being stereo or 5.1? Do you mean it's stereo in that only the L/R are filled? If you're somehow getting folddown before the encoder, that's what you'd expect to happen.

Hey thanks for the reply, I am really at a lost here, and appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

I will check in WMP when I get home. My receiver amp reports 2 channels on all my ripped Blu Ray to WMV movies. When I play my ripped DVD's thats been converted to DVR-MS the receiver says it's in 5.1, so I know my PC is setup to play in 5.1 since my amp works in 5.1. It a issue with my Blu Rays ripps not encoding the 6 channels even though Xpress says the source audio is 5.1 and gives me a option under WMA 10 Professional to choose 5.1.

[nm]

I will check in WMP when I get home. My receiver amp reports 2 channels on all my ripped Blu Ray to WMV movies.
The audio may be decoded by your PC instead of getting passed through to the receiver. If that's the case, it is probably also mixed down to stereo at the same time.

Sounds like you are connecting your PC to the receiver digitally. There are some things you need to consider:
1. Does your receiver even have a WMA decoder? There aren't many around that have it.
2. If you decode the audio on the PC and want to pass the decoded 5.1 LPCM stream to the receiver, you need to use HDMI and a graphics or sound card that supports multichannel LPCM bitstreaming (like ATI Radeon 4xxx or some integrated NVIDIA and Intel GPUs). S/PDIF only supports stereo LPCM.

When I play my ripped DVD's thats been converted to DVR-MS the receiver says it's in 5.1, so I know my PC is setup to play in 5.1 since my amp works in 5.1.
DVR-MS contains MPEG-2 video and MP2 (MPEG-1 layer II) or AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio. AC-3 is much better supported than WMA in both PC software and receivers, so that's why it works.

Why don't you keep the AC-3 audio for your Blu-ray rips too?

[Modify_inc]

The audio may be decoded by your PC instead of getting passed through to the receiver. If that's the case, it is probably also mixed down to stereo at the same time.

Sounds like you are connecting your PC to the receiver digitally. There are some things you need to consider:
1. Does your receiver even have a WMA decoder? There aren't many around that have it.
2. If you decode the audio on the PC and want to pass the decoded 5.1 LPCM stream to the receiver, you need to use HDMI and a graphics or sound card that supports multichannel LPCM bitstreaming (like ATI Radeon 4xxx or some integrated NVIDIA and Intel GPUs). S/PDIF only supports stereo LPCM.


DVR-MS contains MPEG-2 video and MP2 (MPEG-1 layer II) or AC-3 (Dolby Digital) audio. AC-3 is much better supported than WMA in both PC software and receivers, so that's why it works.

Why don't you keep the AC-3 audio for your Blu-ray rips too?


Hey thanks, every little bit helps me understand little more. I’ll give you few more details about my setup.

I am using HDMI out of my PC to my new Sony HT-CT100 receiver which also has HDMI inputs on it. I then go HDMI out of the receiver to HDMI on my LCD. The receiver has Active Intelligent HDMI which I don't know if it means anything for this issue, just thought I would put that out there. I'm certain this amp does not decode WMA, but didn't think that would matter since the PC should decode it first and then pass on the 5.1 t to the amp. I'm still new about some of this, so don't hold me to that.

What I have found out with some more tests, is that even after I demux the ac-3 from the Blu Ray using Tsmuxer, the amp is reporting it is still stereo. I open the demux'd audio file in WMP, and the amp reports it's playing in stereo. You asked me to check the properties in WMP but I can't find where is shows what mode it is playing in. I can go under statistics but didn't see anything relevant.

I have notice that when I mux a blu ray using the LPCM audio that it may play find for a few seconds or so, and the next minute it's all scratchy. I have had nothing but bad luck with any of my blu rays that use the LPCM track, so I usually just choose the AC-3 track, but for the life of me I cannot get 5.1 out of them. I even checked the LPCM tracks that I demuxed using Tsmuxer and they played in stereo. It seems the only thing I can get 5.1 out of is when I play my ripped DVD's, and Blu Ray if I play my original in Power DVD 9 or when I do the sound test, it plays in 5.1.

I'm about to just give up on my Blu Ray rips. I'm wasting my time putting my Blu Ray collection on my Media Center, if I can't have surround sound that goes so well with Blu Ray.

My PC Specs:
Vista 32
2.6 Ghz
Model GA-MA78GM-S2H
Chipset AMD 780G + SB700
Int. graphics ATI Radeon HD3200+ATI Hybrid Graphics
Audio 8-Ch ALC889A HD audio w/ DTS connect
2GB Ram

[nm]

I am using HDMI out of my PC to my new Sony HT-CT100 receiver which also has HDMI inputs on it. I then go HDMI out of the receiver to HDMI on my LCD. The receiver has Active Intelligent HDMI which I don't know if it means anything for this issue, just thought I would put that out there. I'm certain this amp does not decode WMA, but didn't think that would matter since the PC should decode it first and then pass on the 5.1 t to the amp. I'm still new about some of this, so don't hold me to that.

Chipset AMD 780G + SB700
Int. graphics ATI Radeon HD3200+ATI Hybrid Graphics
Your GPU does not support multichannel LPCM bitstreaming through HDMI which is required for doing this the way you want. Alternative approach would be to re-encode the audio back to AC-3 in realtime during playback, but that is far from an optimal solution.

I'd recommend keeping the original AC-3 audio which can be passed through to the receiver with your current setup. Or alternatively, switch to a GF 8200 motherboard or add a Radeon HD 4xxx card to the system for 7.1 LPCM bitstreaming.

[Modify_inc]

I'd recommend keeping the original AC-3 audio which can be passed through to the receiver with your current setup. Or alternatively, switch to a GF 8200 motherboard or add a Radeon HD 4xxx card to the system for 7.1 LPCM bitstreaming.

Thanks for getting back with me...

But when I keep the original AC-3 file, it still plays in stereo, why is that? I don't care about the LPCM since most of the movies down convert to AC-3 and the ones taht have a LPCM track like Ratatouille also have a AC-3 track that I can use.


I took one of the AC-3 tracks and analyzed it in AC3tool, and it shows to have 5.1. I converted it to wave, and it still plays in stereo. I just don't understand this, why can I not get any of the audio files to play in surround mode?

[Sagekilla]

It's definitely not a problem with your audio file then. The problem is with how the audio is being output (whether it's over SPDIF to a receiver, HDMI to a receiver, etc), which could mean hardware or software issue in how it's being output.

[Modify_inc]

It's definitely not a problem with your audio file then. The problem is with how the audio is being output (whether it's over SPDIF to a receiver, HDMI to a receiver, etc), which could mean hardware or software issue in how it's being output.
I've got the latest drviers from Realtek and updated to the latest ATI HDMI audio device. What about AC3filter, I have downloaded it, and set it to 3/2 5.1, does that sound correct? I've never used AC3filter so it's new to me, but those ripped bluray audio files still play in stereo.

It's a issue only with the blu ray rips, everything else that is in surround sound plays in surround sound. Is there another app silimar to Tsmuxer that I can extarc the audio from, I'm wanting to think Tsmuxer is at fault maybe it's corruping my audio track. I would like to use eac3to312 but that program is so confusing I've just gave up on it.

BTW I uploaded a picture of the AC3Tool after it analyzied the AC3 file. Can you or someone confirm that it is showing the corect 5.1 data?

[nm]

It's a issue only with the blu ray rips, everything else that is in surround sound plays in surround sound.
Are you using the same player in all these cases? You could be missing the S/PDIF passthrough setting somewhere.

Is there another app silimar to Tsmuxer that I can extarc the audio from, I'm wanting to think Tsmuxer is at fault maybe it's corruping my audio track.
I doubt that, but you could upload a small clip so we can try it.

BTW I uploaded a picture of the AC3Tool after it analyzied the AC3 file. Can you or someone confirm that it is showing the corect 5.1 data?
Looks fine to me.

[Modify_inc]

Are you using the same player in all these cases? You could be missing the S/PDIF passthrough setting somewhere.


I doubt that, but you could upload a small clip so we can try it.


Looks fine to me.

I'm using WMP and VMC to play the ripped files. I use PowrDVD 9 to play my original Blu Rays and they play in 5.1

I will be glad to upload a small clip, but I would need to crop the audio, and I'm not sure how to do that without reencoding it to another format. I would like to retain the original audio type.

Do you have a small clip that was taken directly from tsmuxer that retains it's 5.1 that I can try? If not I will try to figure out how I can do this.

thanks for your help

[nm]

I'm using WMP and VMC to play the ripped files. I use PowrDVD 9 to play my original Blu Rays and they play in 5.1
So, PowerDVD is properly configured to use S/PDIF passthrough while DirectShow players aren't. Maybe AC3Filter does not get used at all, or it's not set up for passthrough. Do you have S/PDIF enabled ("Use SPDIF")in Main settings (http://ac3filter.net/index.php?q=img_assist/popup/19) and AC-3 (and DTS) selected for passthrough in System settings (http://ac3filter.net/index.php?q=img_assist/popup/21)?

I will be glad to upload a small clip, but I would need to crop the audio, and I'm not sure how to do that without reencoding it to another format. I would like to retain the original audio type.
You can cut the source file with tsMuxeR and then demux the audio, or first demux the audio to a raw stream and split with some simple file-splitting tool (http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-split-a-large-file-into-multiple-smaller-pieces/).

[Modify_inc]

So, PowerDVD is properly configured to use S/PDIF passthrough while DirectShow players aren't. Maybe AC3Filter does not get used at all, or it's not set up for passthrough. Do you have S/PDIF enabled ("Use SPDIF")in Main settings (http://ac3filter.net/index.php?q=img_assist/popup/19) and AC-3 (and DTS) selected for passthrough in System settings (http://ac3filter.net/index.php?q=img_assist/popup/21)?


You can cut the source file with tsMuxeR and then demux the audio, or first demux the audio to a raw stream and split with some simple file-splitting tool (http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-to-split-a-large-file-into-multiple-smaller-pieces/).


I will check my configuration in AC3filter. I do know that when I play a media file, that I do not get any level bars (green bars) like anything is playing through AC3filter. I notice in your picture you had green bars.

I will try to work on getting that clip today, thanks again.

[Modify_inc]

I will check my configuration in AC3filter. I do know that when I play a media file, that I do not get any level bars (green bars) like anything is playing through AC3filter. I notice in your picture you had green bars.

I will try to work on getting that clip today, thanks again.

I got two 30 second clips. One is a AC-3 file, and the other is a HD-DTS downconverted to DTS both using Tsmuxer. When I play them, they play in stereo.
Can I post the links to them or do I need to send them to u you in a PM or somehting? I don't want to break any rules.

[nm]

I got two 30 second clips. One is a AC-3 file, and the other is a HD-DTS downconverted to DTS both using Tsmuxer. When I play them, they play in stereo.
I tried the clips you sent me. They are 5.1 audio and play as such when passed through to my receiver.

Can I post the links to them or do I need to send them to u you in a PM or somehting? I don't want to break any rules.
I think it is ok to publicly share short clips for testing purposes here.

[Modify_inc]

I tried the clips you sent me. They are 5.1 audio and play as such when passed through to my receiver.


I think it is ok to publicly share short clips for testing purposes here.

I'm highly confused then, why in the world will they refuse to play in 5.1 on mine. I made those changes in AC3fliter and it didn't change anything still plays in stereo.

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8641/ac3filter2.th.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ac3filter2.jpg)
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/9316/ac3filter.th.jpg (http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ac3filter.jpg)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vae71c

[Modify_inc]

I've been reading some more and I came across some basic instructions for AC3filter.

"If you're sending AC3Filter's output to a surround sound equipped home theater receiver you only need to set the Output Format to AS IS (No Change) and PCM 16bit (for standard Dolby Digital or DTS) and check the Use SPDIF checkbox. This will bypass AC3Filter's internal processing and send the original signal through your S/PDIF connection."

I'm confused about why I need to enable the S/PDIF conenction since I'm not using the optical/coaxial connection, I'm using HDMI.

[nm]

I'm confused about why I need to enable the S/PDIF conenction since I'm not using the optical/coaxial connection, I'm using HDMI.
Because the HDMI audio support of your Radeon HD 3200 works the same way as digital coax/optical audio output. Or at least I think it does -- I have no experience of using HDMI audio bitstreaming myself.

The problem could be that AC3Filter simply doesn't get used by the players. Does the S/PDIF status, frame count or anything else change in the AC3Filter properties (Main page) during playback? Is AC3Filter set as the preferred audio decoder (properties: System / Filter merit)?

[Modify_inc]

Because the HDMI audio support of your Radeon HD 3200 works the same way as digital coax/optical audio output. Or at least I think it does -- I have no experience of using HDMI audio bitstreaming myself.

The problem could be that AC3Filter simply doesn't get used by the players. Does the S/PDIF status, frame count or anything else change in the AC3Filter properties (Main page) during playback? Is AC3Filter set as the preferred audio decoder (properties: System / Filter merit)?

Okay, not sure what just happen, but I went back in there to my Media Center and opened AC3filter to check to see if had the frame count, and seen it moving or counting up. I looked at my receiver and it said 5.1. I have never been so relieved, wow, thank you for your help! I didn't change anything other than enable what you told me needed to be enabled earlier today, I guess it just finally kicked in who knows. The only thing I done different was enable the ac3filters system tray so I could make changes in realtime if needed, but I closed the tray and it still works in 5.1. I did notice the AC3 file I had converted to wave only played in 5.0, not sure what the issue is there, but doesn't really matter, since I was only converting to wave to try to get my 5.1 working. Since it works in the original AC3 format now, no need to convert.

Hey, thanks again, I believe I'm good to go.

[Modify_inc]

Ok, I tried a few more of my ripped Blu Rays and a few of them also play in 5.0 instead of 5.1. What would cause that, does that mean the Subwoofer is not included or what? I encode all my Blu Rays the same way using Xpress with wma 9 Professional w/ 5.1. I just don't understand why some play in 5.0 and others in 5.1.

[nm]

Ok, I tried a few more of my ripped Blu Rays and a few of them also play in 5.0 instead of 5.1. What would cause that, does that mean the Subwoofer is not included or what? I encode all my Blu Rays the same way using Xpress with wma 9 Professional w/ 5.1. I just don't understand why some play in 5.0 and others in 5.1.
AC-3 and DTS tracks probably play as 5.1 because they are simply passed through to the receiver without modification. WMA and multi-channel PCM (WAV) audio are (re-)encoded to AC-3 by AC3Filter and the LFE channel may be dropped at this point.

Make sure that you have "3/2+SW 5.1 channels" selected as the output format in AC3Filter. I'm not sure if it's necessary in the AC-3 encoding mode, but you could also check that a 5.1 speaker configuration is selected in Windows Control Panel and the audio card driver setup (http://ac3filter.net/files/docs/ac3filter_1_30b/ac3filter_eng.html#x1-120003.2):
Set speakers mode in Control Panel - Sounds and Multimedia - Audio - Sound Playback - Advanced. Furthermore, audio card drivers often have their own utilities for switching of speakers configuration. It is necessary to set the proper configuration at both locations - within audio card driver settings and within the Control Panel.