AC3 Filter Broken... HELP!

**c0rrupti0n** · 12-03-2005, 07:55 PM

SPDIF from epia is transmitting 2 channel stereo only. The AC3 Filter doesnt seem to be in effect. The EQ in the properties menu doesnt show any activity when playing mp3z via winamp. My DPS has AC3 option but is forced into PCM mode do to the the ac3 filter not being utilized...

I tried 7.0b and am currently using 1.01 RC3 beta. I downloaded a codec filter manager that lets me reregister the ac3 codec, but still nothing. Ive configured the properties in a million different ways(rebooted each time) still nothing.

Is there batch file that properly registers this codec? or a better installation pack for AC3. Am i missing something here?

Any help would be appreciated!

**fonseca** · 12-03-2005, 08:36 PM

What source are you trying to play? I'm assuming the first thing you checked was that spdif output was still selected in Windows.

You don't need AC3filter to play 5.1 audio in Winamp, just use the Winamp AC3 plugin. And if you are trying to play movies in say media player classic, you don't need AC3filter either if you have ffdshow installed, which uses the same LibA52 codec that AC3filter is based on, so it would be redundant. Basically, you don't need AC3filter at all. Unless someone can explain why it's better, I see no need for it to ever be installed.

**c0rrupti0n** · 12-04-2005, 12:44 PM

My source is simply mp3's via winamp

"I'm assuming the first thing you checked was that spdif output was still selected in Windows"

How do I check this?, if you mean check if the option on the epia sound card has SPDIF enabled within windows... Yes it is along with the jumper setting on the epia it self. My sound is working fine, when in surround 5.1 but my DPS is picking up the stream as PCM instead of AC3. Mean when switching over to stereo mode, AC3 filter is suppose to kick in to upmix the two channel stream and turn mp3 to 5.1

I heard about that winamp plugin, that seems like it could work. But the AC3 filter would be nice to have 5.1 upmixed at all time for the standard windows enviornment...

Thank for the suggestions :/

**c0rrupti0n** · 12-05-2005, 08:43 AM

Tried the winamp plug in same damn scenario... the winamp plugin doesnt even show the eq bars moving while music in play, for some reason the codec isnt being noticed my windows. Yet i can see its listed as if it were properly registered under audio properties via control panel

**c0rrupti0n** · 12-05-2005, 07:03 PM

Cuts Wrists...

**fonseca** · 12-05-2005, 11:07 PM

I've got no idea. Was it ever working as AC3? Do you have the latest audio chipset driver from viaarena.com? If so, I would uninstall every codec and filter package you have, and start from scratch. Maybe it's some setting you missed.

What kind of cable are you using and how long is it? Is it coaxial RCA or just a plain analog RCA cable? Test out a "digital" RCA cable and see if anything changes. That's a definite possibility.

I send my sound as PCM currently, and let my DSP do the upmixing, but that will be changing this week now that I have finally pulled the pc from my car.

**c0rrupti0n** · 12-06-2005, 04:13 PM

Running more that sufficient cables. Everything is Coaxial 3 foot SonicWave three layed cables 24k tips with all the glits and glammor... Im really trying for quality and avoiding optical at all possible costs. Tested speakers all are fine, the issue im having is that AC3 filter doesnt seem to be in use during play of anything dvd, music, games, etc... Windows is overriding it or something. Ive uninstall and installed several different version a series of codec packs with ac3 included. I learned that PCM is a two channel stereo stream with no upmixing done... Thats my issue here. I found that I need AC3 to be in passthrough to my DPS so it (my dps) can upmix from AC3 stream to 5.1 at all times during anything that plays... Yes my DPS is cabable of 4.1 and 5.1 AC3 formatted SPDIF. But the EPIA cannot produce the AC3 or atleast i cant figure out this damn AC3 fliter thing to get it to product the stream....

**fonseca** · 12-06-2005, 10:56 PM

Have you tried matrix mixer? It can upmix from any source, such as stereo, not just AC3.

I think it has to be a setting. I just tested my M10k upmixing everything to 24 bit AC3, and the dolby digital (AC3) icon on my DSP lit up. I'm using the VIA Vinyl Audio driver, 6.20, with only spdif selected. Perhaps someone else can provide input.

Have you tried AC3Filter 1.01a? It has some more options I believe. Check "system" under "properties".

**c0rrupti0n** · 12-07-2005, 12:41 AM

Thank Fonseca I will give this app a shot, it looks promising...

**c0rrupti0n** · 12-09-2005, 01:21 PM

Ok been there done that. I tried all versions of AC3 filter, and currently using 1.02 RC8

Same results, driver doesnt show EQ bars moving at all, or any sign that its pushing out AC3 stream. Reinstalled 6.20b Via sound driver release about 10 times now. and yes uninstalled it first then rebooted then installed then rebooted. Ive rebooted after every single little change in AC3 filters settings just to make certain that wasnt the cause...

Same results. PCM stream output only. DPS is fully compatible with AC3 as it even has a light labeled AC3. It just that this damn filter isnt out putting any AC3 stream!...

Tried the matrix mixer, same results, doesnt seem like the codec is being used...

Any other idea dude?