MediaPortal Forum - View Single Post - Using FFDshow for Codecs and AC3 Passthrough to S/PDIF

Commodore 64 · 2006-04-05, 15:58

I always see people referring to "Codec Pack Hell" and advising people not to install codec packs. I've used FFDShow from Day 1 in my MediaPortal life and I think it is the easiest and simplest way to get My Videos to play my various AVI, MKV and OGM files. I'm going to run through how I use FFDshow.

I DO NOT USE FFDSHOW FOR POST-PROCESSING!. IMHO, it is not needed with VMR9 and hardware scaling being what it is these days. If you disagree with me, fine. Do not start any Flame Wars here. This thread is about FFDshow as a codec pack and replacement for AC3Filter.

Start with a fresh install. Do not install any Divx, Xvid, or AC3 filters. I install the nVidia Mpeg2 decoders and a Matroska Splitter (register it with Radlight). If you don't play .mkv files, don't worry about the matroska splitter.

Download FFDshow, I use this one: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/vi...rs/ffdshow.cfm

Install it as follows:

Leave this at default settings.

Make sure you do not install Mpeg1 or Mpeg2 decoders.

I enable the FLAC plug in and leave every thing else as is.

Make sure none of the video filters are on by default.

I uncheck Volume Normalization.

From here, just finish installing FFDshow. Now we need to make a few simple configuration changes so that you can get AC3 or DTS to pass through to S/PDIF.

Fire up the Audio Decoder config.

Note that under the Codecs Menu, you will need to set AC3 and DTS to SPDIF using the simple drop-down menu.

Highlight the "output" menu and you will see this. DO NOT CHECK THE AC3 or LPCM OPTIONS!. Leave them alone.

OK. Now you are done. You should be able to playback any AVI file with AC3 and output that AC3 directly to your receiver. These changes will not affect your Mpeg 2 decoders. For your DVDs, you will have to set those up yourself.

If you have AC3FIlter installed, go into configuration and set it to "S/PDIF (disabled)" and go to the systems tab and select "Prefer other decoder". Do not mess with the merit of AC3Filter with Radlight Filter Manager.

For Video Concerns:
.

If you think you may have a Video Postprocesing filter activated or Mpeg2 decoders enabled check here and make sure everything is unchecked, and that your Mpeg 1 and Mpeg 2 entries are disabled.

Hope this helps

2006-04-05, 15:58	#1 (permalink)
Commodore 64 Retired Team Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 33 Posts: 328 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Country:	Using FFDshow for Codecs and AC3 Passthrough to S/PDIF I always see people referring to "Codec Pack Hell" and advising people not to install codec packs. I've used FFDShow from Day 1 in my MediaPortal life and I think it is the easiest and simplest way to get My Videos to play my various AVI, MKV and OGM files. I'm going to run through how I use FFDshow. I DO NOT USE FFDSHOW FOR POST-PROCESSING!. IMHO, it is not needed with VMR9 and hardware scaling being what it is these days. If you disagree with me, fine. Do not start any Flame Wars here. This thread is about FFDshow as a codec pack and replacement for AC3Filter. Start with a fresh install. Do not install any Divx, Xvid, or AC3 filters. I install the nVidia Mpeg2 decoders and a Matroska Splitter (register it with Radlight). If you don't play .mkv files, don't worry about the matroska splitter. Download FFDshow, I use this one: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/vi...rs/ffdshow.cfm Install it as follows: Leave this at default settings. Make sure you do not install Mpeg1 or Mpeg2 decoders. I enable the FLAC plug in and leave every thing else as is. Make sure none of the video filters are on by default. I uncheck Volume Normalization. From here, just finish installing FFDshow. Now we need to make a few simple configuration changes so that you can get AC3 or DTS to pass through to S/PDIF. Fire up the Audio Decoder config. Note that under the Codecs Menu, you will need to set AC3 and DTS to SPDIF using the simple drop-down menu. Highlight the "output" menu and you will see this. DO NOT CHECK THE AC3 or LPCM OPTIONS!. Leave them alone. OK. Now you are done. You should be able to playback any AVI file with AC3 and output that AC3 directly to your receiver. These changes will not affect your Mpeg 2 decoders. For your DVDs, you will have to set those up yourself. If you have AC3FIlter installed, go into configuration and set it to "S/PDIF (disabled)" and go to the systems tab and select "Prefer other decoder". Do not mess with the merit of AC3Filter with Radlight Filter Manager. For Video Concerns: . If you think you may have a Video Postprocesing filter activated or Mpeg2 decoders enabled check here and make sure everything is unchecked, and that your Mpeg 1 and Mpeg 2 entries are disabled. Hope this helps __________________ AMD X2 6400+, ATi HD4670, Windows XP Pro Last edited by Commodore 64; 2007-07-10 at 19:59.