Decoder Gremlins

[sub]

Ok, I don't know then. This particular experiment wasn't worth pursuing, since it'd only work with AC3Filter and relied on non-standard features of this specific decoder.

[johnsonx42]

Interesting, my wife just went to watch a recording from an analog channel (so MPEG-1 audio obviously), and got no audio at all until I removed the CombineMPEG1AC3 setting. I had both MPEG1 and AC3 audio set to AC3Filter... so the setting did actually do something, just not what was wanted. Yet I've never had a problem with choppy audio in recordings, it's only ever been with LiveTV and then only when watching truly live - if I pause for a few seconds then resume, the audio is fine.

[PVR-matic]

I apologize for reviving a year-old thread but I've just finished a new build and it's exhibiting the dreaded "sound blips during live AC3 audio playback". I don't think what I'm seeing is anything new but I was wondering if anyone has found a resolution?

My System:
Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit
Xeon Quad Core CPU 3.0 GHz
4 Gig RAM
240 Gig SSD C: Drive (The live TV buffer resides here)
1 Terabyte Spinner D: Drive (Content storage)
Hauppauge 2250 Dual Hybrid Tuner (Local U.S. cable system has both NTSC analog and Clear QAM digital channels)
EVGA GeForce GTX-750 SC video card
NextPVR version 3.2.9
SAF6 Decoder Pack (Unlocked)
AC3Filter
Audio and video transport from PC to AV receiver and projector via HDMI cable.

Observations: (In agreement with what has already been posted)
1. The blips only occur during live AC3 viewing with both an AC3 and an MPEG decoder assigned. All other decoders are disabled.
2. Disabling the MPEG decoder eliminates the AC3 blips.
3. Playback of MPEG audio is always good.
4. Playback of recorded (or buffered after pausing) AC3 audio is good.
5. Similar symptoms using either SAF6 or AC3Filter.
6. More frequent occurrences when displaying a solid background with just text (think "Jeopardy" questions).
7. The registry entry "PreferAC3=1" may have *minimally* helped or had no effect.
8. The registry entry "CombineMPEG1AC3=1" didn't seem to help the AC3 and disabled the MPEG audio.
9. I have not noticed any other obvious sync issues.

Again, I apologize but I would very much like to help find a solution to "the blips".
I've enjoyed GB-PVR for many years and hope to do the same with NextPVR.

Thanks to all and especially Sub!

[johnsonx42]

the only work-around I've ever found is to force the reference clock so that AC3 audio works but MPEG-1 is bad; I have far fewer analog channels, so I just don't watch live on those channels; if I find something I want to watch, I record it and watch the recording.

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post461600

I'm not sure if it's in that thread too, but the discussion and experiments seem to point the finger of blame on Windows; NPVR is apparently making all the correct calls to change the reference clock during live tv when a different audio type is detected, and Windows responds that the change has been made, but nothing actually changes. I keep thinking about upgrading to Windows 8.1 to see if the problem goes away, but it's not been high on my priority list.