AC3Filter prerelease version (ac3/dts/lpcm support)

[dimzon]

Originally posted by DSPguru
hmm... i cannot agree with you.
Gibalou is the author of libdts, and this community owes him alot ! actually, a dts decoding library was the missing ingredient of our community for years.
Valex is aware of the GNU PUBLIC LICENSE and i have no doubts that the source code will be available someday. but Gibalou, being libdts author, which the addition of thiZ component into the new version of ac3filter has the biggest effect, has all rights to ask Valex to credit him for his awsome work, and also publish the sources.

so, please, i suggest that we let the two gentelmen discuss this without our intervention.
:goodpost:

[oddball]

Got a problem with the new builds of AC3Filter. If I enable AC3 passthru under the main tab it works great for AC3 passthru. However when I playback a PCM type file (MP3 in an AVI for instance) it always encodes to AC3. I don't want it to re-encode to AC3 (Unless it does it without the nasty artefacts I am experiencing when it does).

If AC3 passthru is enabled I want it to passthru AC3 and NOT encode MP3, Ogg or anything else.

The AC3 encode sounds terrible! It is putting horrible artefacts into the audio stream.

EDIT: M-Audio Revolution 7.1 BTW with latest drivers. I get a similar sort of artefacting if I enable WinDVD's audio speedup option in ReClock when it tries to pitch correct a movie that is play at 25FPS but if you want to keep the pitch at the 23.976FPS rate. No such issues when letting the audio go direct with no on-the-fly type re-encoding. I'm wondering if it's a similar issue to the one I am experiencing with on-the-fly AC3 encoding.

[tiny]

@oddball: try unckecking the pcm checkbox on the system tab of the AC3Filter properties

[oddball]

Well that prevents AC3Filter from being used at all for non-AC3/DTS which solves the problem but does not really answer the question as to why AC3 encode causes artefacts. Shrugs.

Thanks for the tip anyhow.

[crlorentzen]

I am confused on the system tab about the different formats. I get what AC3 and DTS would mean... but what about MPEG Audio does this mean MPEG Layer II or III?

PCM? what does this control? I know it means Pulse-Code Modulation.

I guess I just need more explainations. such as what formats each controls

AC3
DTS
MPEG Layer 1, 2, 3, 4...etc
WAV
OGG
...any other formats. Thanks.

[KpeX]

crlorentzen:

AC3Filter is now matrixmixer replacement as well, which means it can be set for all audio to pass through it before it is rendered (PCM checkbox). When checking PCM, AC3Filter will be inserted in the graph after the decoder filter for other formats it doesn't support, such as Vorbis or AAC. This can be useful for encoding to AC3 on the fly or upmixing channels.

Although Valex will need to confirm, I believe MPEG audio support in Ac3Filter is currently layer 1 and 2 only. On an earlier page in this thread, Valex explained the reason for this, that these formats are used on DVDs.

[crlorentzen]

@KpeX, thanks for the explaination. I was unsure why when I deselected MPEG Audio b4 that it still loaded on my MP3 streams...but now I understand.

Great explaination. and thank you for the timely response, there is such a good community here at Doom9.

[Socio]

Finally my 5 day wait period is up and I can post!

First, I would like to add my thank you to Valex to the list of appreciative AC3Filter users. I hope he continues his work on the filter and I have my fingers crossed but my gut tells me that he has left the building so to speak.

Second, Not to beat a dead horse but I have been waiting five days to say something so I am going to say it;

Does anyone know if this Gibalou person is even who he says he is? I mean he has made 4 whole posts yet people are defending him like he is a well know entity around here. For all anyone knows he could just be a poser trying to capitalize on Valex’s work. I know I am brand new here but it seems to me Valex has proved his worth to this community and Gibalou has proved he can make 4 posts.

Ok got that off my chest!

[neo75903]

Hi Valex, i think one of the most wanted feature is to support 44100.
I have lots of video material encoded to 44100 becoz Nero HE-AAc encoder currently only supports 44100. Or am i the only stupid enough to have it all on 44100 sample?

Thx, RC5 works like breeze for local files, DVD playback issue is still on, looking forward for next RC.

[Wilbert]

Does anyone know if this Gibalou person is even who he says he is? I mean he has made 4 whole posts yet people are defending him like he is a well know entity around here. For all anyone knows he could just be a poser trying to capitalize on Valex’s work. I know I am brand new here but it seems to me Valex has proved his worth to this community and Gibalou has proved he can make 4 posts.

Ok got that off my chest!
You made a very bad start with this post. His name is Gildas Bazin, writer of the code of libdts:

http://www.videolan.org/dtsdec.html

[Jolaes]

Hello everyone,

I am new around here. I read this thread back and could not find an answer for my question so I decided to post it here.

Could anyone suggest me a good article about how soundcard drivers and directshow filters, decoders work together ?

My specific question is how could I find the optimal matrix and output configuration for an analog-out system (SB Live and Creative 4.1 speakers).
I have noticed that Dolby II output sounds better and more accurate than the simple 4.1...
Could anyone please shed some light on that?

Many thanks,
Zs.Sz.

[KpeX]

Originally posted by Socio
Finally my 5 day wait period is up and I can post!

First, I would like to add my thank you to Valex to the list of appreciative AC3Filter users. I hope he continues his work on the filter and I have my fingers crossed but my gut tells me that he has left the building so to speak.

Second, Not to beat a dead horse but I have been waiting five days to say something so I am going to say it;

Does anyone know if this Gibalou person is even who he says he is? I mean he has made 4 whole posts yet people are defending him like he is a well know entity around here. For all anyone knows he could just be a poser trying to capitalize on Valex’s work. I know I am brand new here but it seems to me Valex has proved his worth to this community and Gibalou has proved he can make 4 posts.

Ok got that off my chest! As Wilbert correctly pointed out to you, Gibalou is who he says he is. Not every great AV programmer is active at Doom9 (just most ;)) However, even if he was not his claim is still valid, since libdts and other AC3filter source projects are GPL.

What has happened to Valex? Hopefully he will return soon.

[kelmk]

Someone told me that Prologic II won't upmix to 5.1. Is this true?

[neo75903]

Hi Valex,

wheter u are still here, just wanna report to you that 5.1aac works fine at 48k, so far.
Encoded Ice Age with headac3he-024a10a, aac at 96kbps.
Sound drops on and off when movie is about 12min and after. Very noticeable when u can hear the thunder and it is persistent.
It is less when switching to optical Dolby Pro II, less but still one or two drops.
My drop in sound is when my amps multichan indicator switching on and off.
The issue is abscent when outputting analogue

Player is MPC, filters off, CoreAAC.

[MoonWalker]

I have a question about the "AC3 Encoding" Feature of the Ac3 Filter.
Let's say I have a video files with mp3 sound(2ch). It gets decoded, then Ac3 filter comes and encode it to ac3(by default?)..How can I pass it to my external AC3 decoder? Even thought it sais that all the channels are used as an ouput, I only get 2Channel sound. How can I enable SPDIF for these streams. If I watch a movie with AC3 sound it's ok..

Thanks in advance,
MoonWalker

[oddball]

Too many cooks spoil the broth and too many programmers looking for credit cause projects to get held up ;)

[Shayne]

Originally posted by tiny
Hi there,

..... DTS 48 KHz: passthrough ok .....

greatings,
tiny

Settlings please if you would not mind? i have no optical out here. It does appear to be processing at least it plays (or appears to) without locking up.

Peace
.

[Covak]

Someone told me that Prologic II won't upmix to 5.1. Is this true?

The PLII setting in AC3Filter doesn't upmix. I think it encodes into PLII for an external decoder.

[gizmotech]

@ Valex.

Using MPC and TCMP for testing.
Video file tested w/ mkv file muxed w/ 0.8.9
Audio:
1 OGG 2ch q4 audio
1 5.1 HE-AAC audio

Problem:
It doesn't appear as if the filter is connecting itself to all streams in a multi stream file.

After disabling all downmixing in coreaac decoder to make sure 6 channels were active I proceeded to switch streams repeatedly. It seems to connect itself to the first activated audio stream (as far as the levels are concerned) however only uses the number of audio channels from the first listed audio stream. When the streams are switched via the player, the levels stop responding and the input channels don't change.

If needed I can provide a sample file, a thx sample I encoded off my nemo disc w/ 2ch ogg and 5.1 he-aac audio for testing.

Gizmo

[gulan]

Hi, sorry for my unexpirience but I totally lost it (or never had it)

I know this is a RC but I upgraded from 070b to test something:

My computer is linked with my external receiver via optical out. (mainboard IS7 to Sony receiver).
My avi's (zoomplayer) with AC3 were all send unencoded to my receiver (my receiver tells me then that an DD 321 signal is received). This was done by selecting SPDIF in the dropdownbox.

Whatever I try (and I read this forum over and over again), I don't seemed to be able to send an unecoded signal to my receiver: he always tells me it is an PCM 48 (in case of AC3 48 khz) signal, so I think this means it is already encoded.


Can anybody help me please?

What should I set mith output?
What means SPDIF (disabled)?
What is the exact meaning of the passthroughs?


thanks in advance...

[tiny]

By popular demand:

Settings for AC3 passthrough with AC3Filter 1.01a RC5 (this asumes you have a SP-DIF out on your soundcard and a external decoder):

On the Main tab of the AC3Filter properties screen: make sure the checkbox next to "SP-DIF" is enabled. The word "(disabled)" is somewhat confusing. If passthrough is in action this word will change to "(passthrough)" though. The pulldown menu with the channel-configuration is not used/relevant in this situation, because channel-configuration is left to your external decoder.

The settings on the Mixer tab have no effect when passthrough is used (hence the name...). The same is applicable to the Gains tab.

On the System tab the actual configuration of the streams to passthough is made. The checkboxes under the "use AC3Filter for..." heading are used to determine when AC3Filter is loaded. Note that if "PCM" is selected AC3Filter will also load if another filter decodes to PCM first (for example an MP3 filter). To use AC3Filter for AC3 streams check the appropriate box.

Next, under the "SP-DIF passthrough" heading the streams for which passtrough needs to be enabled are configured. For AC3 passthrough, obviously "AC3" needs to be selected.

Currently only streams with a samplerate of 48KHz can be passed through.

Hope this helps,
Regards,
tiny

:edit spelling:

[Socio]

Nice post Tiny!

I have a tip for Creative audio card users using the AC3filter;

I have the Creative Audigy2 and I get better results with the AC3filter using
KX Project drivers (http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/) instead of Creative drivers anyone with SBlive to Audigy2 ZS might want to try these.

Now I get channel for channel encoding meaning if the input signal is two channels I get two channels +sub encoded and if it is 5.1 input I get 5.1 encoded. Before with creative drivers no matter what the input signal was I got 5.1 output but not surround sound, it was more like five speaker stereo, I also get vob files to passthrough where they would not with the creative drivers.

*It should be noted the KX drivers are more tailored to musicians and audiophiles rather than gamers you will loose EAX capability but you will gain higher quality sound and fidelity.

**Also if you do want to try these drivers I highly recommend you get Driver Cleaner 3 (http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/) it will remove all traces of the Creative drivers before you install the KX drivers and if you decide to go back to Creative drivers it will remove all traces of the KX drivers.

[KpeX]

Originally posted by oddball
Too many cooks spoil the broth and too many programmers looking for credit cause projects to get held up ;) You are not understanding this situation. Until recently there was no open-source implementation of any kind of DTS decoding library. IMHO we the AV community owe Gibalou a great deal for this jump in technology. The least we can do is respect the license under which he released libDTS. I don't know where Valex has been the last few days but I highly doubt that the reason for his absence is the request for his sources and I am hopeful that he will release the source soon when he returns.

[KpeX]

neo75903:

Hopefully there will soon be a resampling solution for 44.1 khz streams, both AAC and 2-channel music, since it seems many of us have soundcards whose SPDIF only supports 48Khz. It will just be a matter of whether Valex is willing/able to implement it.

Jolaes:

There is little documentation on analog 4.1 output around, however the search will be your friend. Take a look at graphedit, this program will allow you to see every filter that is in use to render the audio to your soundcard. After the stream is rendered in the player, the only thing that will affect the audio AFAIK is your sound card driver, which may or may not be additionally modifying the sound. As far as implementing your own matrix, I'd suggest just starting with the 4.1 preset in AC3filter, tweaking values, and testing the results until you find one to your liking.

kelmk:

Yes, as already mentioned, the Pro Logic II is a downmix matrix and not an upmix, and mixes the audio to stereo w/ PLII for an external PLII decoder.

MoonWalker:

Along with setting the AC3 encoding feature and checking SPDIF output, you will also have to select an upmix matrix in the matrix tab to mix the stereo sound to 5.1. Also see tiny's post.

gulan:

You will need to check the SPDIF box and the AC3 passthrough box for AC3 SPDIF output.

tiny:

Thank you for an excellent explanation of options.

Socio:

Thanks for the tips for the ever-difficult Creative cards. :)

[Nic]

@oddball: Just to add to what KpeX has already stated; You have been striked because of your comments. You should have thought your self very lucky to get away with the "STFU" comment towards Gibalou. But to continue to show disrespect towards a forum member, especially someone who has given so much to the community (Gibalou has worked extensively on the VideoLan project), is completely against the forum rules. I hope you will take this graciously and learn from your mistakes.

-Nic

[jorel]

as a simple member, i can't understand why someone have something against developers(Gibalou and Valex’s)that give they work free for us all with grace. :confused:

and the worse...where is Valex? a long theys don't post! :(

[kelmk]

Yes, as already mentioned, the Pro Logic II is a downmix matrix and not an upmix, and mixes the audio to stereo w/ PLII for an external PLII decoder.

For output I use 3/2+SW 5.1 channel but if the source is PLII is it converted propery to 5.1? It seems to work for me but the source always say 2/0 (stereo). I'm trying to convince someone that it actually works. What algorithm is it using to decode PLII?

[Covak]

For output I use 3/2+SW 5.1 channel but if the source is PLII is it converted propery to 5.1? It seems to work for me but the source always say 2/0 (stereo). I'm trying to convince someone that it actually works. What algorithm is it using to decode PLII?

Not properly. AC3Filter doesn't do any PLII decoding. You're getting stereo upmixed to 5.1 the AC3Filter way, not the proper (for PLII sources) PLII way.

No algorithm is used. It's just treated like any other stereo material.

[kelmk]

Gottchya. So what is the AC3Filter way? It seems to be seperating some of the surround effects somehow and putting them to the rear speakers.

[gulan]

Thanks you all for your help but I'm not where I should be.

SPDIF (AC3 48khz) doesn't work for me in RC5 after your instructions:
* SPDIF is enabled
* SPDIF passthrough is on for AC3


still no sound to my receiver.

I have an odd thing: with these settings I can see in Zoomplayer that with an AC3 avi also "indeo(R) audio software" is loaded.
That doesn't happen with AC3filter 070b (where by the way everything works for me with SPDIF)

I also uses reclock 1.4

thanks anyway...

[Socio]

I don't know what AC3 avi also "indeo(R) audio software is and it is not loaded in my Zoomplayer.

What version of Zoomplayer are you running? If you don't have it yet you might want to upgrade to Zooomplayer Pro WMV RC2 that is the newest version. Once you do that open Zoomplayer, go to options/settings/mediaplayer and enable AC3 playback and set speakers to 5.1 Under DVD make sure AC3Filter is selected as your audio codec.

*Note none of the current releases of the AC3 filter beyond 70b seem to passthrough Dolby Digital encoded DVD's

[guada]

Very good work Alex :)

[prophet2004]

@Valex:

Am I doing something wrong when your ac3filter 0.70b introduces some kind of phase shift into the sound (tested with original 5.1 ac3 audio from Celine Dion "Color Of My Love" concert from 1996 on DVD and Star Wars Phantom Menace DVD movie)?
I am using Audigy 2ZS with latest creative drivers in Windows XP.
Computer is P4 Prescott 2.8E 1GB RAM.
Media Player Classic 6.4.8.2 plays the sound correctly as well as creative mediasource player. Any ideas?

[eCL|PSe]

I have a AudioExcel TheaterExcel AV515M which I belive is made by chaintech. I cant seem to get a raw signal out to my sony reciever. My Xvid/AC3 movies seem to be decoded before they get to my reciever and I end up with stereo output. I have followed the instructions listed on the forums and hve checked the SPDIF checkbox and the passthrough is enabled for AC3 DTS and MPEG audio. The use AC3 filter for.. boxes are all checked. Any ideas?

[Palikrovol]

Originally posted by eCL|PSe
I have a AudioExcel TheaterExcel AV515M which I belive is made by chaintech. I cant seem to get a raw signal out to my sony reciever. My Xvid/AC3 movies seem to be decoded before they get to my reciever and I end up with stereo output. I have followed the instructions listed on the forums and hve checked the SPDIF checkbox and the passthrough is enabled for AC3 DTS and MPEG audio. The use AC3 filter for.. boxes are all checked. Any ideas?

I think you have to uncheck SPDIF. If cheched then SPDIF is disabled.

[Mitchjs]

No


its pretty simple...

check the SPDIF BOX on the MAIN TAB
Check the SPDIF PASSTHROU on the SYSTEM TAB for AC3 & DTS(if ya got dts decoding on your av gear)


Now here is a BIG thing:

If using ZOOM PLAYER, you cannot use the internal DSP/AUDIO EQ Filter
disable(uncheck on the SETTINGS TAB in the filter control)

Blight will have to look in to this... cause ZOOM PLayer is by far
the best!

Two checks if u want to use SPDIF and PASS AC3!!

if you dont want to use SPDIF the box on the main tab is unchecked!


hope this helps
mitch

P.S. I hope Valex didnt get scarred away...we need him!!

[eCL|PSe]

So the settings are right and Zoom Players EQ is disabled. It still doesnt work. I've tried other players too? Is there somethign special I need to do for my specific card?

[Mitchjs]

well... I dont know that answer

but i set it up on two different machines...

Piece of CAKE!


so, you're using zoom player?

what is the media your playing back

avi with ac3? dvd with ac3?

does the filtergraph include AC3Filter as the audio decoder
and not as the post processing?

mitch

[pogo stick]

It's very sad that situation with licenses comes to this. :(
I guess, this is just big misunderstanding.
And posts like 'get lost' will never help anyone.
Valex, Gibalou, there must be a way to arrange it and shake hands!
Please, don't stop your work!

[eCL|PSe]

Ok after enabling SPDIF in WIn DVD it works for dvds and .avi w/ ac3. But i dont think it uses ac3 filter for processing so it doesnt really solve the problem, and it emits and odd noise on the computer speakers when its decodes, although it sounds fine on the reciever. So what i ve deduced is that the card is fine its something with the filter. I've used Zoom player and winamp to play the .avi w/ ac3 and both send a pre-decoded signal to the reciever.

[neo75903]

Have you unchecked the SPDIF passthrough for AC3 in System tab?

[gulan]

Originally posted by eCL|PSe
So the settings are right and Zoom Players EQ is disabled. It still doesnt work. I've tried other players too? Is there somethign special I need to do for my specific card?

Seems that I have the same problem (read my postings before).

Have checked everything right but still it is decoded.
I also mentioned that in that case (AC3), indeo audio software is loaded together with AC3filter(Indeo does the decoding?).
When I refuses indeo to load in Zoomplayer than he takes my Intervideo audio decoder. So you see he won't let it passthrough.

hopes someone comes with an answer or Valex with a fix.

[neo75903]

Use Multi Media Classic
when playing a file, goto Play>filters, there u can figure out what filters are being used, and if AC3 is active.
Remember that AC3filter only supports 48khz sound.

[Donald24]

Hi there,

my first word is - thank you - for this excellent piece of software, I am using it for a very long time now.

Short question regarding "bass redirection"

The Creative Audigy drivers have a bass redirection function, that is really crap, because it causes a gap between tweaters and subwoofer - frequencies left out. I'd like to turn that off for movies, but I am tired to set it back for stereo-listening.

So short as it gets:

Can the bass-redirection in Ac3-filter bypass - by any means - the audigy drivers bass redirection? Or is it not possible.

TY

[eCL|PSe]

Ok thanks, Media player classic works perfect. Im not sure what the deal was with zoom player. is the any way to get rid of the buzz that shows up on the computer speakers? and is there a way to get the ac3 filter to just send whatever the stream is on the .avi direct to the reciever? right now it just sends what ever you choose on the output (3/2+sw, pro logic ect) i imagine you can just analyze the file and match up whatever it is and choose that for the filter, but i would like it to just auto recognize it and send that. That way i dont have to change the filter everytime i play a different file.

[gulan]

Originally posted by Mitchjs
No


its pretty simple...

check the SPDIF BOX on the MAIN TAB
Check the SPDIF PASSTHROU on the SYSTEM TAB for AC3 & DTS(if ya got dts decoding on your av gear)


Now here is a BIG thing:

If using ZOOM PLAYER, you cannot use the internal DSP/AUDIO EQ Filter
disable(uncheck on the SETTINGS TAB in the filter control)

...

thanks, that did it!

Zoomplayer-users: turn off internal Eq filter!

[Frisco]

Thanks Mitchjs

The zoomplayer setting was also my problem. Now RC5 also work for me.

Thanks for the filter, Valex. I hobe you vill be back. I use your AC3Filter nearly every day.

Frisco

[jorel]

Originally posted by Frisco
Thanks Mitchjs

The zoomplayer setting was also my problem. Now RC5 also work for me.

Thanks for the filter, Valex. I hobe you vill be back. I use your AC3Filter nearly every day.

Frisco

the same here and with media player classic works very fine too!
i hope you will back soon too Valex, great job and thanks!
:)

[aleph9]

Valex there is a problem with ac3filter and morgan stream switcher: when playing multistreamed avi only first audio stream played at correct speed (if both filters are active) when I switch to another stream then sound and video played at wrong speed - abot 2 times faster. could you please take a look at the problem?

[Beatles]

Valex is gone for good.