a hope for dts-ma decoding?

[Weirdo]

Thanks for all your efforts on this.
Look what you can do with just a batch file:The batch finds MPC-HC, Arcsoft decoder 1.3.3.159 and MPC-HC Source, but reports: "ArcSoft source Not Found". What should I do? TMT 3.0.1.185 is installed.

[bobdynlan]

Thanks for all your efforts on this.
The batch finds MPC-HC, Arcsoft decoder 1.3.3.159 and MPC-HC Source, but reports: "ArcSoft source Not Found". What should I do? TMT 3.0.1.185 is installed. If you already have ArcSoft decoder registered for DirectShow there is no need for the script to re-register it, not?
Detecting TMT installation was disabled on purpose as it's not recommended to use the official package because it might be updated to a version that does not allow usage for DirectShow or does poor conversion. I've re-enabled detection in v1.1 but please note that it is a lame check of known paths - no fancy logic and should be used just for informative purposes.

The recommended usage is to have a copy of decoder files + enabler = either old tmt1/2 checkactivate.dll + MagUIEngine.dll + ...etc or Shard's checkactivate.dll in the same directory as the script or in a Codec subdirectory, or packed (without password protection) to 7z/rar/zip file in the script directory if you have 7-Zip/winrar. You should back up your files anyway, to make it portable so that you don't have to reinstall 2 TMT versions every time you refresh the OS. Or you could use already packaged ArcSoft Decoder Pack eac3to vX.X.X.X.zip - location unknown :devil:

MPC-HC is found from the registry if any video files are associated with it, but it's not foolproof so you should provide a copy of it, too, in the same location as above (same dir as script/Codec subdir/packed if you have 7-Zip/Winrar).

The link will remain the same in further updates http://office.live.com/self.aspx/Shared/BATCH/AS4MPCHC.BAT (http://cid-d561cc7d122f3f32.office.live.com/self.aspx/Shared/BATCH/AS4MPCHC.BAT)

[Gleb Egorych]

Does anybody know which AudioDynamicRange value represents "full range" or the least DR compression? 0 i.e. "Light"?

And what is the difference between AudioOutputMode values 6 and 13? Both represent 5.1 configuration.

[nevcairiel]

Since the option is named "DynamicRange" and not DynamicRangeCompression, i actually believe "1" for Normal is the full dynamic range.

Not sure whats the difference between the duplicates, i use 17 for 7.1 and it works fine. Possibly just try and see if something changes. :)

[mindbomb]

it defaults to 0 ( if you dont put in anything) , so im assuming it actually is short for dynamic range compression

[iSeries]

Hi,

I seem to have DTS decoding working now with the Arcsoft decoders, however I've messed around with this so much I'm not even sure which version I'm using now, is there any way of checking? Also, how can I be sure that it is decoding the full lossless track (and not just the core) at full 24 bit? If I check the Arcsoft decoder properties while a video is playing it say in the dialog box '16 bit' but reclock reports it is getting 24 bit.

This is what Arcsoft pin info says is going out:

Filter : ArcSoft Audio Decoder HD - CLSID : {1A89085B-B654-4ED8-8831-5AC629A05FF5}

- Connected to:

CLSID: {9DC15360-914C-46B8-B9DF-BFE67FD36C6A}
Filter: ReClock Audio Renderer
Pin: In

- Connection media type:

Audio: PCM 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: 6144
cbFormat: 18

WAVEFORMATEX:
wFormatTag: 0x0001
nChannels: 2
nSamplesPerSec: 48000
nAvgBytesPerSec: 192000
nBlockAlign: 4
wBitsPerSample: 16
cbSize: 0 (extra bytes)

pbFormat:
0000: 01 00 02 00 80 bb 00 00 00 ee 02 00 04 00 10 00 ....€»...î......
0010: 00 00 ..

- Enumerated media type 0:

Set as the current media type

But this is what Reclock says it is getting in:

Filter : ReClock Audio Renderer - CLSID : {9DC15360-914C-46B8-B9DF-BFE67FD36C6A}

- Connected to:

CLSID: {1A89085B-B654-4ED8-8831-5AC629A05FF5}
Filter: ArcSoft Audio Decoder HD
Pin: XForm Out

- Connection media type:

Audio: WAVE_FORMAT_EXTENSIBLE 48000Hz 6ch 6912kbps

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: 4608
cbFormat: 40

WAVEFORMATEX:
wFormatTag: 0xfffe
nChannels: 6
nSamplesPerSec: 48000
nAvgBytesPerSec: 864000
nBlockAlign: 18
wBitsPerSample: 24
cbSize: 22 (extra bytes)

WAVEFORMATEXTENSIBLE:
wValidBitsPerSample: 24
dwChannelMask: 0x0000003f
SubFormat: {00000001-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}

pbFormat:
0000: fe ff 06 00 80 bb 00 00 00 2f 0d 00 12 00 18 00 þÿ..€».../......
0010: 16 00 18 00 3f 00 00 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 10 00 ....?...........
0020: 80 00 00 aa 00 38 9b 71 €..ª.8›q

[Gleb Egorych]

About dynamic range setting: TMT5 have its own DRC setting like Cyberlink does. You could choose Normal Environment (Default), Quiet or Noisy. TMT5 writes in PlayDVD.ini value of variable "DynamicRangeCompression", it could be 0 (default), 1, 2 accordingly to Normal, Quiet or Noisy. DRC is off when you select Quiet. The default value of "AudioDynamicRange" is 0 as well. I suppose that "DynamicRangeCompression" in TMT5 and "AudioDynamicRange" in the filter mean the same thing, and to get full dynamic range from ArcSoft Audio Decoder "AudioDynamicRange" should be set to 1.
One more thing: TMT5's setting corresponds to Dolby Digital decoding not DTS. So it is possible that "AudioDynamicRange" has no effect at all on DTS decoding.

If I check the Arcsoft decoder properties while a video is playing it say in the dialog box '16 bit' but reclock reports it is getting 24 bit.
For DTS you have 24 bit, check wBitsPerSample in your log.
For PCM you have 16 bit because it is uncompressed 16 bit audio data and outputting it in 24 bit won't give any gain in audio quality.

[iSeries]

@ Gleb Egorych - I'm not sure you understand what I mean. I showed two logs - one the OUT log from Arcsoft decoder, the other the IN log from Reclock. What Arcsoft says is going out, is NOT what Reclock is getting in. Eg the Arcsoft log mentions PCM 48000Hz stereo 1536kbps and wBitsPerSample: 16, however Reclock says 48000Hz 6ch 6912kbps and wBitsPerSample: 24.

Basically Arcsoft is saying 2 channel 16 bit PCM going out, but Reclock says 6 channel 24 bit PCM is coming in. And nowhere in the Arcsoft 'in' log is DTS-MA mentioned so don't even know if its decoding the lossless track or the lossy core.

[nevcairiel]

Media Types are not reliable, what ReClock reports it is getting, thats what its getting.

[iSeries]

nevcairiel - thanks, thats one mystery solved. However, how do I know its decoding the lossless DTS and not the core?

[Gleb Egorych]

iSeries, you are absolutely right, I didn't read you message thoroughly. BTW I get the same.

[DigitalLF]

<incorrect info>iSeries bitrate.. check the pin out for bitrate..</incorrect info>

[nevcairiel]

iSeries bitrate.. check the pin out for bitrate..

PCM Bitrate is always the same.

You don't know what its decoding, unless you do some complicated analysis. But if the ArcSoft decoder works, it decodes it fully - it does not have a fallback mode to "Core" as far as we know.

You can test it by finding a DTS-HD file with more then 6 channels or a higher sample rate then 48000Hz (Core only supports 6 channels and up to 48000Hz)

[iSeries]

DigitalLF - sorry, still confused. I assumed that the bitrate shown in pin out was what the audio is being decoded to. I posted the Arcsoft pin out log above, which shows PCM 48000Hz stereo 1536kbps, and this has been established as incorrect as Reclock is receiving 6.1 6192kbps. And in the Arcsoft pin in log it just says Audio: DTS 48000Hz 6ch. No mention of any bitrate or whether its lossless of the lossy core anywhere.

EDIT, Nevcairiel, you replied while I was typing. I'll have to wait until I can get hold of a disc with a 7.1 DTS-HD track, and just trust that it is doing what its supposed to I guess. eac3to happily used it earlier so I guess it is decoding the lossless audio.

[nevcairiel]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=19354466#post19354466

There are some HD samples, including 7.1 DTS-HD MA
Actually 96000Hz as well.

[nevcairiel]

it defaults to 0 ( if you dont put in anything) , so im assuming it actually is short for dynamic range compression

DRC is default in many players, so i wouldn't take that as an argument. (I think Dolby even requires it)

"Light" just sounds like "Light DynamicRange", which means compression.

[tschi]

FYI, you can also use powerdvd audio decoder up to 192khz/24bits but limited to 6ch.
Info from here (in french) : http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1197&t=29937775
Install powerdvd 9.0.2320 ultra and mpc-hc, add powerdvd audio decoder in mpc-hc external filter, configure powerdvd audio (from directshow filter info and software) to hdmi output and decode to pcm.
instal powerdvd 9.0.2528 , now powerdvd filter GUI is not accessible anymore but mpc-hc reads audio DTS-HD MA track without downsample (checked in reclock with 192khz/24bit sample)

[iSeries]

nevcairiel - thanks for the links, I downloaded the 7.1 DTS m2ts sample. It would seem I have a problem then. I've specified '17' in win.ini for 8 channel audio, however Reclock reports it is getting 6 channels. So I guess this means for some reason it's decoding the lossy core. What could be the reasons for this? I'm using your LAV splitter by the way :)

[DigitalLF]

iSeries, nevcairiel: sorry a misunderstanding from my side (or lack of knowledge)

[nevcairiel]

Open its properties page during playback, what does the dropdown in the top left corner say? Should be "7.1"
Also, do you actually have 7.1 speakers?

Does ReClock report 96000Hz?

[iSeries]

nevcairiel - ok, I've now also tried the .mkv sample. This works perfectly and Reclock reports 8 channels at 96khz. Perfect! However, with m2ts it seems I only get the core decoded. What could be the issue? (also, yes the Arcsoft properties page says '7.1' in both cases).

[nevcairiel]

Weird, no issues with the m2ts for me.
Are you sure its using LAV Splitter for the m2ts as well?

[iSeries]

Damn that Haali splitter lol. I'd added the LAV splitter to the external filters list in MPC and set it to 'prefer' thinking that would be enough, and for mkv it seems it is. I just assumed that it would be the same for m2ts. WRONG lol. I've now added Haali to the external filters list and set it to 'block'. LAV now correctly splits the streams and Reclock reports 96khz 24 bit 8 channels woo hoo!

Thanks for the help!

EDIT: Ok next issue lol. How do I get this to downmix to 2 channels? I've set the win.ini to AudioOutputMode=0 (also tried 1,2 and 5). The Arcsoft properties page correctly says 2 channels in the drop down box top left. However Reclock reports its getting 6 channels.

[nevcairiel]

Interesting. It really should be enough, assuming you use a fairly recent MPC-HC Build (i fixed splitters in the filter list some time ago)

[iSeries]

MPC version is 1.5.2.2993, downloaded yesterday.

As for the downmixing issue (see above), any ideas? What's odd is if I just let Haali split so Arcsoft decodes just the core, the Arcsoft decoder pays attention to the win.ini parameters and downmixes accordingly. Using LAV and decoding lossless it doesnt and sends out however many channels are in the original stream.

[nevcairiel]

When i set my configuration in the ini to stereo, i only get stereo .. didnt really try much other values just now.

Doubt it matters which splitter is used, though. Except that Haali does not support DTS-HD :P

[iSeries]

Seems to matter though - I can get 2 channel with Haali, but not with LAV. But like you say, I only get the core decoded with Haali! Why does everything have to be so damn complicated lol.

[nevcairiel]

Maybe it simply doesnt do downmixing with DTS-HD.. :)

[iSeries]

The plot thickens - if I take the AudioOutputMode line out of the win.ini, it DOES downmix to 2 channels by default. If I put that line back, the Arcsoft decoder completely ignores whatever value I've specified and outputs however many channels are in the original stream. Odd. But at least I know how to get what I want :)

[shaolin95]

OK so I was able to get DTS-HD working with TMT5. My main problem is that the few movies I got that use DolbyTrueHD have a horrible sound issue where it is almost like going in ultra slow motion making some odd sounds. If I were to add Reclock as the rendered then it will play fine but adding reclock affects the quality for DTS-HD movies so I rather not.
I tried removing ffdshow audio to let TMT deal with TrueHD but it does not do that. It seems that the program just picks up the regular Dolby stream instead of the TrueHD and uses ffdshow to decode that so I do get audio but not the high quality one I wanted.
Anyone seen this?

[mkanet]

Does anyone know if it's necessary to install/uninstall that specific version of the software on the same PC you want Arcsoft Audio Decoder HD decoder to interact properly/universally with other directshow filters?

Im very much a minimalist; and would prefer not to leave registry residual left behind from installing/uninstalling Arcsoft Trial.

I currently only have the below files in a folder I made on a PC that's never had Arcsoft installed; registering only ASAudioHD.ax and adding the respective Win.ini settings.

ASAudioHD.ax
DtsDec.dll
dtsdecoderdll.dll
Ac3HDDecoderDll.dll
DdpDec71.dll
ArcAudCap.dll
GoldBoostDll.dll
checkactivate.dll

The reason I ask is because I have a particular "picky" directshow splitter (from SageTV Media Center) that doesnt think Arcsoft Audio Decoder HD is suitable for DTS core, DTS-MA, TrueHD decoding. It only allows Arcsoft Audio HD to be used for AC3 decoding. Otherwise, it ends up only using "ACM Wrapper" as the only usable filter. I dont have this problems with more popular splitters such as LAV, Haali, MPC-HC (Gabest); which may not be as picky as SageTV's media splitter.

The only other person I know that has sageTV and Arcsoft Audio Decoder HD directly connect has had to install TMT trial first, then uninstall it. Maybe there are some filter/registry information needed to identify Arcsoft Audio Decoder HD as a valid decoder for certain media types?

I'm not sure why sageTV's media splitter would rather connect to ACM wrapper when there's a decoder that works great with LAV, Haali, etc on the same PC. My PowerDVD audio filter will connect to sageTV's media splitter directly as well for DTS/AC3; but I installed the entire PowerDVD software to be able to do that.

Thanks

[webs0r]

Quick question: What is responsible for choosing the default audio track to play in media that contains multiple tracks?

I suspect it is the player, as the default track chosen by MPC-HC is different to what Mediaportal seems to choose.
But looking for confirmation...

Does anyone know a way to get MPC-HC to choose, by default, the highest bitrate track?

[Weirdo]

Quick question: What is responsible for choosing the default audio track to play in media that contains multiple tracks?

I suspect it is the player, as the default track chosen by MPC-HC is different to what Mediaportal seems to choose.
But looking for confirmation...

Does anyone know a way to get MPC-HC to choose, by default, the highest bitrate track?If you are talking about mkv's, the 'default' flag is set during its creation, mkvmerge has this option. Sometimes, the players can override this, with language-related settings. If there is no 'default' flag set beforehand (which is wrong if there isn't), it's up to the player. I don't think there's a bitrate-based option.

[nevcairiel]

If you're using LAV Splitter, it should try to always select the best quality track for you, with the option to also select your preferred language, etc.

[Plutotype]

Hi folks,
I´m using Arcosft Audio Decoder HD as a Directshow filter in MPC-HC and what I basically need to get confirmed is following:

1. Does Arcsoft truely decodes DTS and DTS-HD (MA) streams up to 24-bit 96kHz the same way as AVR hardware decoders do? Including the "HD" parts? Is there a test/comparison between AVR decoder and Arcosft?

2. Does the Arcsoft codecs work in MPC-HC exactly the same way as they work inside of TMT? Did Arcsoft not limit the usage of their filters/libraries in anyway outside of TMT meaning functionality?

Thanks