Select different Audio decoder for Media Player Classic/Road Runner?

b8bboi · 02-16-2006, 05:47 PM

I want to use AC3Filter since the built-in decoder for mplayerc.exe is pretty limited. I already installed it in my system but for some reason, mplayerc/RR keeps using the built-in audio decoder. Is there a way to force it to use AC3Filter?

On a related issue, I want to put some "gain" on the audio stream so I did the following.

1. Within C:\Program Files\Road Runner, open mplayerc.exe.
2. Go in View -> Options -> Audio Decoder. Then up the Boost slider.
3. Exit. mplayerc.ini is now updated.
4. Open a movie to make sure the "gain" setting works.
5. Replace mpc.ini with the content in mplayerc.ini.
6. Open RR. Open the same movie. The "gain" setting does NOT work here.
7. Try again in mplayerc.exe outside of RR and it works.

Is there a reason why the setting doesn't work when MPC is embedded in RR?

guino · 02-16-2006, 08:54 PM

if you're using the "Built-in" video option, then RR will not use MPC at all (while the filter overrides should still work). it's just a matter of configuring the overrides correctly, and they should work even with the built-in player (which is not MPC), but there's no gain option for that other than in the filter itself (AC3Filter etc).

b8bboi · 02-17-2006, 12:18 AM

I'm confused. Yes, I'm using the built-in option. So you mean whatever setting in mpc.ini (or mplayerc.ini) won't have any effect at all?

So if I'm somehow able to configure the Overrides so that mplayerc will use AC3Filter (outside of RR), how do I save that setting into RR?

My whole problem is pretty simple. The audio from Video (especially AC3 streams) is relatively quiet compared to my music (I set Winamp volume to 50). So anytime I switch back from Video to Music, I usually deafen myself. It gets a little annoying.

guino · 02-17-2006, 02:41 AM

There are TWO DIFFERENT video players RR can use: 1-MPC, 2-Built-in (windows API based). They do not share any settings for RR. So if you use the built-in player, MPC.INI is useless -- you can even delete MPC from your machine (unless you use it for DVD or something else).

Now, CODEC settings are configured globally for ALL applications and ALL players (those are windows level settings). So if you configure overrides/priorities for instance for the AC3Filter over other codecs, this is a global CODEC setting that even the built-in player will have to follow. MPC is simply an easy method to configure these overrides (The Filters section). MPC has many extra options over the built-in player, including gain control. While the AC3Filter may allow you to boost AC3 audio volume, other streams (non AC3), may stay soft when using the built-in player. If you don't use the built-in player, them MPC.INI will be used and MPC's gain options will most likely be effective.

What I typically recommend for this volume "issue" is either a mixer preset load (when going in/out of video), or lowering winamp's volume to where it matches the video volume (What I use). Video sound is softer ON PURPOSE, just so they can control a wider range of sound volume for effects and such.

b8bboi · 02-17-2006, 11:23 AM

guino, thanks for clearing that up. Unfortunately, I can't find a way to set an override for the global codec settings. If you or anyone know how to, I'd appreciate it if you give me the instructions. I'll put up with the volume issue for now.

MatrixPC · 02-17-2006, 02:55 PM

MPC is gone from my system. I use Divx and AC3filer or whatever it is.