OK I'm stuck! I can't seem to get the AC3Filter to pass through DD/DTS to my AVR for MKV's, it's coming through as PCM currently.

I've just installed the DIVX Tech Preview for the very first time and also the AC3Filter on a clean install of Windows 7 RTM 32 bit.

I get sound when playing MKV's in Media Center, but as I said it's PCM. 

I've been in to the AC3Filter options and ensured pass through for AC3 and DTS is selected and enabled. 

What have I missed? 

I am using the onboard HDMI for both Video and Audio. I am able to get Dolby Digital on DVD rips having ticked an option to Output AC3/DTS/WMA on the ATI HDMI Audio device properties on the Custom tab, but I'm still having issues with the MKV's and only getting PCM.

Can anyone who has this setup and working already point me in the right direction? Are there any dummy guides for this?

Thanks. 

Looks like others here are having similar issues and only getting PCM 2 Channel.

Has anyone got this working here with 5.1 audio ?

Also on some of these threads on the DIVX forum it was suggested to use VAC3ACM instead of AC3Filter, anyone using this? 

I'd just like the MKV's to play in 5.1 surround on the 7MC PC / AVR and for the MKV videos to look good on the XBOX 360 extender which is only stereo in my setup. 

That's what I normally do just install the Shark 007 pack, however I want to try out the DIVX Tech Preview / AC3Filter combo.

Someone must have this working?

AC3Filter is decoding as without it installed I also get silence on the MKV's. But why only PCM 2 channel?

ShadowTD

I had the same problem.  No matter what I did, AC3Filter wouldn't pass the 5.1 through but it was decoding it as without it I had silence!  Installing the Shark pack sorted that out.  I'm not 100% sure if the MKV quality on my 360 is worse since I've only watched one thing since I installed Shark.

I'd be very interested to know what your opinion is on the quaility difference? I think with Shark 007 installed, it's Windows 7 native transcoding that makes the MKV's play on the extender, where as with the DIVX Tech Preview there is no transcoding it plays them natively.

Stuart

See if this helps you out. 

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/t/78749.aspx

Pete

PeteT

Stuart

See if this helps you out. 

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/t/78749.aspx

 Pete

Pete cheers for the reply, hows sunny Yorkshire?

I've see the Codec bible thread before, it's a bit too involved for my liking as codec normally scare me lol, but I'll check it out again.

All these people raving on about the DIVX Tech Preview must have 5.1 audio working on the PC.

Although one thing I don't like with this DIVX Tech Preview so far other than my audio issue, on some MKV movies I was getting blocky pixalations, really bad picture un-watchable. Yet when I play the very same movies on another 7MC PC with just the Shark 007 pack installed they play fine.  

cw-kid

PeteT

Stuart

See if this helps you out. 

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/t/78749.aspx

 Pete

Pete cheers for the reply, hows sunny Yorkshire?

I've see the Codec bible thread before, it's a bit too involved for my liking as codec normally scare me lol, but I'll check it out again.

All these people raving on about the DIVX Tech Preview must have 5.1 audio working on the PC.

Although one thing I don't like with this DIVX Tech Preview so far other than my audio issue, on some MKV movies I was getting blocky pixalations, really bad picture un-watchable. Yet when I play the very same movies on another 7MC PC with just the Shark 007 pack installed they play fine.  

 

Yorkshire is bloomin marvellous, do you miss it? Today we have had a sunny start, the heavy wind and rain and now is sunny again, ps don't forget its cold even though the sun is out. and with it being autumn there is plenty of leaves on the ground blocking the drains therefore creating floods do to the heavy rain.

 There is a section in that bible where is describes setting up ac3filter but i did think that maybe the divx tech preview my suffer from the warning at the top of the post where the latest version of divx stops things from working.

I'll try the tech preview for you tonight if i get a chance. is it open to everyone or is it closed?

Pete

You can download the preview from here anyone can get it. My thinking is to try and get MKV's working well on the PC and Extender without having to install the Shark 007 pack. Especially now that Windows 7 supports allot more video types out of the box. I use to use Shark 007 on Vista and was very happy with it but looking to try something lighter for Windows 7.

Don't get me wrong the Shark pack is excellent for users who aren't confident with codec configurations, but my MKV's don't look so good on my XBOX 360 extender that's the only issue I have with using it. Which is why I thought I'd try the DIVX Tech Preview but it's seems more tricky to setup the audio side of things than I imagined.

The other option would be to use the Haali Media Splitter Alpha for Windows 7 with the AC3 Filter. But I'd be back to having Windows 7 do the transcoding on the XBOX 360 extender for MKV's in that scenario.

I do miss the green fields of the Yorkshire dales, beautiful country side! But not the cold weather and scrapping ice off the car at 7 in the morning! Shipley's not too far away from where we use to live in Harrogate North Yorks.

I'll give it a go.  I tried a few mkv's last night and they stuttered. So i dont mind trying it. I will acronis my htpc though. I used to use shark007 as well as it just worked.

just a little pic to remind you of what your missing , ps mine is the red car

Acronis True image is excellent software I use it all the time. Hopefully someone else who already has this working will chime in and point us in the right direction. Or I'll be pulling my hair out till I figure it out.

Nice photo! Some great driving roads round those parts.

Still pulling my hair out with this, I've added an extender in to the mix but the MKV's look terrible on there. Posted a new reply on the DIVX forum here, other issues now as well no picture just a black screen on some MKV's with audio only on both the PC and extender. Gonna image the OS back to before I installed this and try the Haali Alpha / AC3Filter or Shark 007 again.

Would love to hear some success stories with the DIVX Tech Preview before I give up on it.

cw-kid,

I have the same problem. I need to stick with the DIVX Tech Preview because it gives me GPU acceleration which I need as I am using an ION based HTPC.

I have similar issues with AC3Filter. Shark007 did not work out for me.

Ben

I tried the Haali Media Splitter Alpha instead and I can get 5.1 surround sound DD/DTS on the HTPC / AVR and I didn't even need to install AC3Filter. However some of my MKV's play back on the PC with blocky pixelations and you can't watch them. Also the MKV's still look like you tube movies on the extender. 

When using the Shark 007 Win7 codec pack I can get 5.1 audio on the HTPC / AVR also, but the MKV's that were not playing properly with the Haali Alpha look fine when using Shark 007. But again the MKV's look bad on the extender because Windows7 is transcoding them.

Although the MKV's looked bad on the extender for me when using the DIVX Tech Preview which is meant to play them natively so something is not right. 

is there another reason why u need ac3filer? 

 i get full 5.1 and dts passthrough out of the box.  NO AC3filer, and NO additional codecs other than what shipped with win7.

 you just need to make sure your device is set for exclusive mode, and priority.  for Realtek hardware (most everyone) its in the device properties of the last tab.

also make sure youve selected the proper supported sample rates.  If it works with the test buton in the device options, it will work in 7mc.