Audio settings tab in Nvidia codec problem

[cummings66]

Here's the odd thing. I have sage setup to use the default on all the settings, and under windows I have it setup to use the correct devices. Now when I play a DVD from Sage the nvidia taskbar item shows up and if I select it I can see the audio properties tab and my audio is rendered correctly as it should be.

Now, if I play back a recorded movie, or watch live TV the audio tab does not showup in the nvidia taskbar properties tab. The audio is also not correct, i.e. it's not true surround sound.

Now, what is different? Why does Sage do the right thing with the DVD player and not with recordings or live tv? Why is that audio tab missing? Everything is set to default and seems to work fine with those settings only with DVD's.

This is a clean install of the OS and also Sage, all the drivers on the system are the latest available. This never worked in the past either for what it's worth. I've tried the onboard audio and my X-Mystique card for what it's worth. Only the X-Mystique passes through the correct audio for DVD's. When the audio is correct the mute and volume control buttons have no effect, but when it's not right I can mute the audio if that helps any.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by cummings66

Now, what is different? Why does Sage do the right thing with the DVD player and not with recordings or live tv? Why is that audio tab missing? Everything is set to default and seems to work fine with those settings only with DVD's.

Probably because the nVidia audio decoder isn't default (preferred) for non-AC3 audio types. If you want to use a specific decoder for sure you have to specify it and not rely on "Default" and directshow to figure it out.

[Polypro]

I just think it's a bug somewhere in the decoder. With NVIDIA set as sytem default with DECCHECK, WMP under DVD>Advanced shows the NVIDIA audio codec properties. But when you play a TV show with it, the audio properties still don't show. Also, when selecting the NVIDIA codec specifically in Sage, they still don't show up. You could try increasing the decoder merit with something like Radlight Filter Manager, but I think it's using NVIDIA, just not showing the properties for anything but DVDs.

P

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Polypro

I just think it's a bug somewhere in the decoder. With NVIDIA set as sytem default with DECCHECK, WMP under DVD>Advanced shows the NVIDIA audio codec properties.

That means it's preferred for DVD audio, not necessarilly for other forms.

But when you play a TV show with it, the audio properties still don't show.

TV shows use Mpeg1 layer 2 audio (mp2) so Dshow can end up with a bit different outcome for those than for DVD (AC3) audio.

[banmj]

I have nvidia decoder selected in both video and DVD audio decoder filter, and I don't have an audio tab in nvida decoder properties. How do I enable it?

[cummings66]

From what I can tell you can't get the audio tab.

I know how to fix my issue however, I just wish it was easier and didn't require changing my audio properties every time I want to watch DVD's or TV. I go into my audio control panel and tell it I want PCM 2 Ch output and deselect the speaker count above. Then I set the Pioneer VSX-1015 to it's Prologic II mode and presto, good surround sound.

Contrast that to how DVD's work if the audio panel is set to 5.1 S/PDIF and the stereo to auto. You play the DVD, the audio mode is automatically set to whatever the DVD has, no button pushing, no changing settings. It's done on it's own. This is what my goal for the regular TV shows is, I'd like it to be done on it's own, if it's a stereo program I want the Pioneer to be in stereo mode on it's own, if it's a dolby digital program I want the receiver in that mode automatically. That's how it works with DVD's.

It's working now, but not automatically and from what I can tell that is not possible, at least not with the audio card I have.

[gplasky]

If nVidia is your default decoder you can always get to the sudio settings through Windows Media Player. Tools-Options-DVD-Advanced. If you see AC3 filter then nVidia is NOT your default decoder.

Gerry

[shawncochran]

Originally Posted by cummings66

... I go into my audio control panel and tell it I want PCM 2 Ch output and deselect the speaker count above. Then I set the Pioneer VSX-1015 to it's Prologic II mode and presto, good surround sound. Contrast that to how DVD's work if the audio panel is set to 5.1 S/PDIF and the stereo to auto.

Hi.... I'm new to SageTV (but love it). I've used the forums to get through the rough spots, & everything is working great except 5.1 audio. I've tried using the Cyberlink & Cyberlink (ATI) drivers to push all audio through SPDIF ... I'm getting 2ch stereo and sometimes (it sounds like) ProLogic from OTA HDTV -- but not D.D. 5.1 on either DVD or OTA HDTV (e.g. CSI on Thursday)

I've configured the Cyberlink DVD software & the ATI to use SPDIF, and I am sending 5.1 DD and DTS without issues to my reciever via SPDIF for DVDs through the Cyberlink software. When I try to play the DVD through SageTV, I only get 2 ch stereo.

I've set the DVD video renderer to Cyberlink and the DVD audio renderer to Cyberlink, but it's not working for me.

Also -- same thing in setup for audio/video for the tuner -- no luck.

Thoughts anyone?

Config: intel P4 2.53 on intel D845PEBT2 w/ 1Gb DDR (PC3200), ATI HDTV Wonder, ATI Raedeon 9400 AGP, SageTV4

[Polypro]

Some vendors limit the use of their codecs for DD passthrough to ONLY their app. I believe I had that problem with Intervideo passthrough...definitely with DNM. Have you tried AC3Filter? NVIDIA decoder trial?

P

Edit: Renderers are Cyberlink? You mean decoders, right? Renderers would be Overlay or VMR9 and your audio hardware

[shawncochran]

Originally Posted by Polypro

Have you tried AC3Filter? NVIDIA decoder trial? Edit: Renderers are Cyberlink? You mean decoders, right? Renderers would be Overlay or VMR9 and your audio hardware

I've tried to nVidia trial with the same results.
In SageTV setup, under DVD, I have choices for both DVD audio decoder and DVD audio renderer. I just tried the AC3Filter under audio decoder filter with the same reults: 2 ch stereo

Thoughts?

[stanger89]

Did you set AC3 filter to S/PDIF passthrough?

[shawncochran]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Did you set AC3 filter to S/PDIF passthrough?

I can't seem to find that option in SageTV. Is it somewhere else?

[stanger89]

It's not in SageTV it's in the AC3filter configuration. There should be an AC3Filter thingy in your start menu.

[shawncochran]

Originally Posted by stanger89

It's not in SageTV it's in the AC3filter configuration. There should be an AC3Filter thingy in your start menu.

I found a config panel for it in Windows Media Player 10... same one?

[stanger89]

Not what I was thinking of but it should/could work.

[shawncochran]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Not what I was thinking of but it should/could work.

Well - that didn't go well. I was playing with the AC3 Filter in Windows MP 10, when BLAM the app locked up. I restarted and then WMP said it has disabled some extras because of the explosion. Microsoft -- gotta love em.

SO -- do you think the Ac3 Filter came w/ SageTV4? I'm ready to reload if that is the case, because I can't find it anywhere else

[shawncochran]

Well, everytime I go into that control app in Windows Media and select SDPIF in the first page -- which actually looks like it would disable SPDIF based on its' label, it blows the application up. I wind up reloading SageTV4.

I also read that the version of AC3Filter that we get in the application may not be the full version. Maybe this is why it goes BOOM!

Thoughts?

[Polypro]

On the last tab of AC3Filter there is a "Prefer Other Decoder" option. Check that and it should revert you back to the NVIDIA decoder trial you installed. Once you can get to the NVIDIA control panel through WMP10>DVD>Advanced (...or Radlight, DSFM, etc...), configure it for "External Reciever">"S/PDIF". Does that work? If not, try using the latest driver for your sound chipset...I had problems until I upgraded my driver to the 4.62 version for my NFORCE3 chipset. The most recent AC3Filter is on Sourceforge.

P

[shawncochran]

Originally Posted by Polypro

On the last tab of AC3Filter there is a "Prefer Other Decoder" option. Check that and it should revert you back to the NVIDIA decoder trial you installed. Once you can get to the NVIDIA control panel through WMP10>DVD>Advanced (...or Radlight, DSFM, etc...), configure it for "External Reciever">"S/PDIF".

THANK YOU! That works MUCH BETTER.
Went into SageTV4 and configure "detailed setup" video/audio as:
Mpeg2 Video decoder filter = nVidia Decoder
Audio Renderer = default
MPEG2 Audio Decoder filter = nVidia audio decoder

Same type thing for the DVD.

DVD now chooses DTS or DDig based upon DVD Menu choice.
OTA HDTV from CBS (Without a Trace) is Dolby Digital, but Prologic and not 5.1?
Also, playing back a .ts file from Sage Recordings ... sound fine but if you rewind/fast forward audio goes away and doesn't return?

I figured since you knocked it out of the park on the last one, this one would be easy for you!

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by shawncochran

OTA HDTV from CBS (Without a Trace) is Dolby Digital, but Prologic and not 5.1?

It might not actually be 5.1.