Binaural conversion in MPC-HC (Headphone Virtual Surround)

[Q-the-STORM]

I'm looking for a good realtime binaural converter to be used in MPC-HC for watching movies with headphones on Windows 10.

What it does is basically convert 5.1 (or 7.1 or whatever) to 2.0, but optimized for headphones in a way that makes it sound like you are listening to actual 5.1/7.1, by calculating which sound needs to arrive at which ear at which time at which volume.

Most threads I can find about this are pretty old.

[huhn]

the only free software i know for that:
http://www.razerzone.com/surround

[clsid]

ffdshow audio processor has a "head-related transfer function" mixer option. I dunno how well it works.

[Crimson Wolf]

What is your motherboard? Does it have a built-in Realtek HD audio? If so, you might be able to get Dolby Headphone working with a hacked driver. Google for "Home Theater Drivers for your built-in HD Audio" and see if you can make it work. You will probably need to disable driver signing to get this to work, but it should be the cheapest option that is better than the razer surround. I've tried both and for me, the razer surround could be good for games, but not for movies or TV shows. You can also pick up a cheap Xonar card with built-in Dolby Headphone from ebay if you don't feel like using hacked drivers. (If using Xonar, use the UNi Xonar drivers).

If you want the most priciest ($$$) option, google "Out of Your Head", which claims to take measurements from real speakers to generate the virtual surround. Fortunately it has a free trial which works for 2 minutes at a time.

[Asmodian]

If we a going expensive Ossic seems to be trying to solve this problem correctly. It cannot be done with a pure software solution without a set of detailed personal measurements taken in an audio lab.

[hello_hello]

If you use ffdshow to process the audio you can use it's WinAmp filter to load WinAmp plugins. ffdshow doesn't have to decode. By enabling the "uncompressed" codec it should process the LAV Audio output.

I haven't tried this one myself. You may find others with Google's help.
http://bs2b.sourceforge.net/download.html

[Sparktank]

Originally Posted by hello_hello

If you use ffdshow to process the audio you can use it's WinAmp filter to load WinAmp plugins. ffdshow doesn't have to decode. By enabling the "uncompressed" codec it should process the LAV Audio output.

I haven't tried this one myself. You may find others with Google's help.
http://bs2b.sourceforge.net/download.html

I've been trying that one every now and then for the Meir Crossfeed.

Although, I imagine this is intended for stereo mixes.
ie, if you downmix in FFDShow first to 2.0 and then make sure that Winamp is after the downmix and enable bs2b.

It seems okay. But I (my ears) have spatial problems in headphones. Most often, everything is two dimensional to me with just a hint of depth.

I also find cross-feeds tend to soften the audio much more.
Meir cross-feed does it the most, but also creates more environment around (in front) of you.

The other presets in bs2b are less softening but a lot closer to just a simple stereo mix where you hear things absolute in left or right headphone.

As of late, I've just been setting the PC system to 7.1 speakers and letting everyhing keep it at 7.1 without downmixing anything.
No cross-feeds, etc.
And i've been able to get a sense of a center channel and some surround sound scope.
Mostly helicopters actually coming from behind, and minor effects that were carefully designed to travel.

I use Microsoft brand of Turtle Beaches that I use for gaming on the Xbox One.