Audio codec keeps using default for xvid

[NewUser]

How do I make my audio codec "ac3filter"? I have done it via configuration and it doesn't work. It does work with .mkv files, but xvid files don't. I need ac3filter to expand stereo.

[charli181]

In AC3 FIlter configuration, do you have it marked as preferred codec.

Also have you installed other codecs and what is being used instead of AC3Filter. MAybe uninstall them. Also maybe try "graphedit" (found with google) to ensure AC3Filter can be used with the files you want to play.

[NewUser]

Yes, i have it marked as preferred codec. The audio decoding (which im assuming is mp3) is done by MP's default decoder. MPA decoder Filter. That seems to override all other decoders. I currently have FFDshow installed as well. Even when i choose to use FFDshow's audio decoder it doesnt work.

I know both ac3 filter and ffdshow decoder doesn't work since when it is running it would show its little icon on the task bar.. I have no idea how to get this working.

I know the files work with ac3filter as it is done flawlessly on another computer.

[charli181]

you could try using something like Radlight Filter manager to change the merits of the codec used....

[NewUser]

when i use windows media player inside windows it would use ac3filter. I don't know why MP doesn't. I'll look into the Radlight Filter manager.

How can I tell what codec is being used, when playing a movie? I deregistered MPA codec. and sound still plays w/o AC3filter.

[charli181]

Originally Posted by NewUser

How can I tell what codec is being used, when playing a movie? I deregistered MPA codec. and sound still plays w/o AC3filter.

you can use graphedit for that. Start mp in windowed mode and start playing a file, then open graphedit and connect t o the source. It will then show what codecs are being used in a graphical way.

Google graphedit to download for free.

[NewUser]

I checked with graphedit. It says I should be using AC3filter. But i already knew that since WMP uses it. Is it possible to see what MP uses?

AC3filter does not work with xvid with mp3 as audio. But with ac3 it works. Its as if media portal is overriding mp3 with some other codec.

EDIT: SUCCESS! Put ac3filter into the movie "post processing".

[HappyTalk]

This problem has existed for ever in MediaPortal. You can set the audio codec for videos to whatever you like and it will use the settings of the first codec in the list when playing back divx. Convert that same divx to mkv and it plays via the codec you have selected!

By you adding ac3filter to post processing if you start off with an ac3 5.1 signal it may well be decoded to stereo (by mpa codec) then re-encoded back into 5.1 by ac3 filter, obviously losing all the 'proper' 5.1

The codec selection DOES work properly for mkv files. (converting an avi+ac3 audio to mkv then DOES use the codec set in the 'settings|video|audio codec section'. I'm sure it's a long standing MP bug where this setting is ignored for divx files but respected for dvd/mkv files.

[NewUser]

Oh how do i solve that then? Do you know how to fix the bug or is it hard coded and a recompile is needed?

[vuego]

You need to use Radlight Filter Manager to alter the merits of filters. MPA gets a ridiculous high merit by default, 40000001 I think. All other filters (for example AC3Filter or ffdshow) that can decode the same audio format will have to fight this number.

1. Start playing the file in MP
2. Open GraphEdit and press Ctrl+G to connect to the remote graph
3. Find out which audio decoder is in use (probably MPA)
4. Use Radlight Filter Manager to lower the merit of the unwanted filter
5. Goto step 1