No AC3 Dolby 5.1 output from nPVR using same settings as GBPVR

[dshoup]

I cannot get nPVR to play 5.1 audio (AC3) from HDTV recordings (USA). On .dvr-ms files that were recorded in GBPVR, I get 2 channel output from nPVR that lacks any dialog (as if I'm getting only L and R channels from 5.1 and lacking the other 3.1 channels). These files play fine through GBPVR (all 5.1 channels). On files recorded in nPVR (using .ts), I get all sound (i.e., includes dialog), but only 2 channel output (i.e., sound seems to be "down-mixed" to 2.1). If I play the .ts files recorded in nPVR with GBPVR I have no audio at all (but I have never tried using GBPVR with .ts files, so I do not know that the decoder choice is the best).

I think I have set up the decoders for nPVR up the same way I set up GBPVR, so I'm not sure why I can't at least play the .dvr-ms files in nPVR. I've attached screen shots of the decoder properties of both programs. Can anyone see what I'm doing wrong? Anyone have a suggestion for decoders that work well for AC3 audio from HDTV with .ts files? I also have AC3filter, HWC AC3 Audio Decoder, HWC Layer II audio decoder, and CyberLink Audio Decoder available in addition to ffdshow. All of these work and produce 5.1 audio in GBPVR, none of them seem to work in nPVR (all have same behavior...lacking any dialog channel).

[whurlston]

Try setting AAC and HE-AAC to "Disabled".

[dshoup]

Same result with AAC and HE-AAC disabled. Any other suggestions?

[dshoup]

I wanted to post for anyone else who may have a similar problem...I have this resolved. Most of this was solved by upgrading to 1.5.28. When I did that, I started getting audio from my .ts files. I uninstalled/reinstalled ffdshow (was same version) and Haali media splitter, and now I have no problems...5.1 audio everywhere I expect it and both .dvr-ms and .ts files play fine. I'm currently using ffdshow for all audio and nVidia decoder for video (it gives better performance for me when FF or RW), but all combinations seem to work (including AC3 decoder in case others are interested in that option...I just preffer ffdshow).

[Northpole]

dshoup,

I have had the same problem as you... (though it was just me). What version of windows are you using and what version of ffdshow have you had success with?

[dshoup]

I'm using Windows XP (SP3 all updates installed). The ffdshow is the ffdshow tryouts revision 3154 (Dec 8, 2009). I also was able to get AC3 filter (build date Aug 11, 2009...I don't see an actual version number). I also have Haali media splitter 1.10.262.12 installed, which I needed for some files (but mostly things I have transcoded...not dvr-ms or .ts files). I currently am using the nVidia decoder for MPEG2 video and ffdshow for everything else in the decoder page of nPVR. The nVidia decoder config pannel does not tell me what version this is. I've always found these decoders maddening in the "trial and error" that they require. In the end, my problem just sort of went away...I'm suspecting it was something in the new version of nPVR, but as I said, I did install and reinstall everything except the nVidia decoder. I hope this helps!

[Northpole]

I'm using Windows XP (SP3 all updates installed). The ffdshow is the ffdshow tryouts revision 3154 (Dec 8, 2009). I also was able to get AC3 filter (build date Aug 11, 2009...I don't see an actual version number). I also have Haali media splitter 1.10.262.12 installed, which I needed for some files (but mostly things I have transcoded...not dvr-ms or .ts files). I currently am using the nVidia decoder for MPEG2 video and ffdshow for everything else in the decoder page of nPVR. The nVidia decoder config pannel does not tell me what version this is. I've always found these decoders maddening in the "trial and error" that they require. In the end, my problem just sort of went away...I'm suspecting it was something in the new version of nPVR, but as I said, I did install and reinstall everything except the nVidia decoder. I hope this helps!

Thanks. I'm using win xp also. I was also using the nVidia video decoder with the original GBPVR v1.2.9 in VMR7 render which worked perfect. However, when I changed to npvr, I no longer get GPU accelerated video. I switched to cyberlink and that solved the acceleration problem. (wish I could figure out why the nVidia doesn't accelerate)

I haven't tried ffdshow in a while because I had some crash problems but I'll give it try. Thanks again for the input.

Edit: I think perhaps the nVidia acceleration issue is related to which directshow mpeg splitter your using.

[dshoup]

I'm not sure how it will work for you (or if your PC even has the muscle to pull it off), but I am using the EVR renderer...perhaps that makes a difference (I also check "prefer VMR9 in the nVidia decoder options)? I assume you have tried loading the properties for the nVidia decoder (little box with 3 dots next to the drop-down box where you select the decoder in nPVR) and make sure the box for "Hardware Acceleration" is checked (I know it's never that simple, but had to suggest it as it would be an easy fix if you had not tried this)?

[hoborg]

@dshoup:
Just small note - you should not use EVR on XP (use VMR9), this will broke DXVA (you cannot combine DXVA2 renderer with DXVA1 api from XP).

BTW, did you tryed SAF5 (link below)? Can you post small video sample to test?

[Reddwarf]

@dshoup:
Just small note - you should not use EVR on XP (use VMR9), this will broke DXVA (you cannot combine DXVA2 renderer with DXVA1 api from XP).

BTW, did you tryed SAF5 (link below)? Can you post small video sample to test?

Before I switched to W7, I used DirectX-10 ant EVR on XP, and it worked excellent with DXVA.