[TV] Sound problem in 1.1.0 beta (1 Viewer)

[wjw]

TV-Server Version: 1.1.0 beta
MediaPortal Version: 1.1.0 beta
MediaPortal Skin: Blue3 Wide
Windows Version: Win7 RC build 7100
CPU Type: Intel Core Duo E8200 2.66 Ghz
HDD: Western Digital 750Gb
Memory: Kingston 2x1 Gb
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-73PVM-S2H GeForce 7100
Video Card: nVidia 9400GT
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card:
Sound Card AC3: Optical Out
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Hauppauge Wintv HVR4000
1. TV Card Type: DVB-S
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
h.264 Video Codec: Cyberlink/DIVX/MPC/ffdshow
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Astra 28E
HTPC Case: Antec Fusion
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote:
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI


I am having a problem with sound using 1.1.0 beta on Win7 RC build 7100. It mostly shows up on TV but also with CDs.

If I tune to an HD TV channel, then as long as I have checked the "prefer AC3" box in MP Config/TVServer/Audio options, I get sound output over SPDIF to my receiver. If I tune to a non-HD channel I get no sound at all. If I uncheck the "prefer AC-3" box I get no sound on any channel. Also, if I try to play a CD, I get no sound (MP clearly is actually playing the CD because I can see the track info. etc - just no sound). If I play a DVD (ripped because of other problems reported elsewhere) I get sound as expected.

I know my system is not faulty because I can do exactly the same things in DVBViewer with no problems at all (i.e. sound as expected on all TV channels). Also with any other player (WMP or WMC) I have no problems with playing CDs or DVDs (and in Windows Media Center I have no TV problems either).

It's not codec related either because I've tried many different options - and as I say there are no problems anywhere else.

I think this is related to the choice of audio stream - but I cannot find anywhere in MP to make this choice (in DVBViewer I can choose which stream and can see the difference), at least not one that works. If I right click in an active TV window in MP I can see the option to choose a language stream - but it simply makes no difference. No matter which one I choose, if it's not an AC-3 stream on an HD channel I get no sound.

Would appreciate any suggestions about what else I can try.

Edit: I forgot to add that when configuring TVServer to add/edit TV channels, when I use the preview function I do get sound on all channels regardless of type - but I don't get picture on any channel. It must therefore be a problem of a setting somewhere in the client side of MP.

 

[wjw]

Is there really no-one out there with any comment at all?

I would even like some replies from users of Win7 RC and MP 1.1.0 beta who are not having a problem.

I've done further digging and used Graphstudio to see what's happening. Whether in TVServer/Channels/Preview or in MP main, the graph is the same. MP File Reader to MPC-MPA filter to Default direct sound device (which shows pin rendered). In preview I get sound on all channels but in MP Main I only get sound if it's AC3.

Is anyone using SPDIF out having success? Or is it just me?

 

[trevor]

Is there really no-one out there with any comment at all?

I would even like some replies from users of Win7 RC and MP 1.1.0 beta who are not having a problem.

I've done further digging and used Graphstudio to see what's happening. Whether in TVServer/Channels/Preview or in MP main, the graph is the same. MP File Reader to MPC-MPA filter to Default direct sound device (which shows pin rendered). In preview I get sound on all channels but in MP Main I only get sound if it's AC3.

Is anyone using SPDIF out having success? Or is it just me?

Maybe just you, sounds like MP (or a codec config defined in MP) is somehow taking the audio stream and not sending via SPDIF (or modifing it so your receiver can no process it).

Are you running the AC3 codec? Are all audio codec set to output via SPDIF - if this works outside of MP then mus be some misconfiguration.

Also what version of the Realtek sound driver are you using?

Sorry, no instant answers but maybe more places to look.

 

[wjw]

Trevor,

Thanks for at least trying. I have AC3 Filter installed and configured to use SPDIF. I have (double) checked my settings for MPC-MPA decoder in MP configuration and it is set up to output to SPDIF. As far as I know I'm using the latest drivers everywhere.

It has to be a setup issue somewhere - everything works outside MP. This is hugely frustrating.

 

[trevor]

Trevor,

Thanks for at least trying. I have AC3 Filter installed and configured to use SPDIF. I have (double) checked my settings for MPC-MPA decoder in MP configuration and it is set up to output to SPDIF. As far as I know I'm using the latest drivers everywhere.

It has to be a setup issue somewhere - everything works outside MP. This is hugely frustrating.

Can but try, had a few problems myself early on - dont have W7 on my live system but do on the dev system so can try and emulate.

The reason I asked about versions was because I had issues with the latest realtek release and backed down R1.57 of the suite, I have driver version 6.0.1.5449

I use different codecs to you on the live system but do have AC3 installed - attached are screen shots of my config for comparison - I hace tweaked them a bit.

If you dont mind could you post a copy of your mediaportal.xml and mediaportal.log (enable debug logging) - I might see something in them.

I will configure up the dev system to match yours and see what I get.

Cheers

 

[wjw]

Trevor,

Two logs attached. The Mediaportal log shows, first, starting BBC HD. Works fine, then stop that and start BBC1. As before, picture but no sound. As far as I can tell the logs don't show anything wrong. All the required filters are successfully invoked - just no sound. It appears that whatever I set, if it's not AC3 then nothing gets through to my external receiver.

I've tried this with ffdshow as well, no difference. I've also tried with and without AC3 Filter.

The Realtek thing is a red herring. It used to be, but a couple of months ago I installed an nVidia 9400GT Silent. This appears to have completely over-ridden the realtek chip on the motherboard and the default directsound device is now the nVida high definition output (via SPDIF). I hadn't noticed that. When I get time I'll poke around in BIOS to see whether I can re-enable it. However, I think that's a red herring too since I have no problems with any other application.

I used to run 1.0.2 on Vista on this machine, but had a lot of problems with hang on resume, so switched to Win7 to try Windows Media Center with satellite and HD support. I never had a sound problem before.

Win7 (and WMC) are completely stable - but MediaPortal is so much more flexible than WMC that I'd really like to go back if at all possible.

 

[trevor]

No attachments....

 

[wjw]

Yes, I did the post in a hurry this morning then had to rush off to take the wife out to lunch - and realised the ommission over lunch! I didn't rush back though - seemed inappropriate somehow.

 

[trevor]

Yes, I did the post in a hurry this morning then had to rush off to take the wife out to lunch - and realised the ommission over lunch! I didn't rush back though - seemed inappropriate somehow.

More dangerous than inappropriate had quick look though them and nothing jumps out - my config on this machine is prety close to yours so will add ffdshow and see what I get.

 

[wjw]

Trevor,

Just thought I'd let you know - I finally fixed it. Long story short, when I installed Win7 I didn't re-install all drivers. Didn't need to 'cos Win7 comes with a very comprehensive set built in, so the "genuine" Realtek driver wasn't there. The default sound device was using MS own drivers. Odd thing is that everything - absolutely everything - else works exactly as expected. I installed the Realtek drivers this morning and now MP works as well.

Thanks for trying.

John