No 5.1 out with DVD rehash

[broderp]

I've been doing some reading about issues people have with SAGE and DD5.1.

I too have this problem, but after reading so much I'm now more confused.

Currently I use an ASUS P4P800-E Deluxe MB.
I have ATI's newest DVD decoder installed (but not their player)
I have WinDVD 5 Platinum installed as well.
I also have the default codecs from haupauge.

MYHTPC is hooked to my SONY ES Receiver via optical out and to my TV via RCA outputs.

TV and DVD play correctly in stereo to the TV as one would expect.

DVD to the SONY 5.1 receiver is ONLY in stereo.
I can play WINDVD and my ES SONY lights up like a x-mas tree letting me know it's 5.1. The ATI codecs worked (When I had the ATI DVD player installed), in fact I believe ATI used PowerDVD's codecs. So both WIN DVD and POWERDVD outputed in 5.1.

No matter what codec I select in sage all I get out is a stereo output.

What the easiest way to fix this without resorting to reg hacks or fumbling around with 3rd party software to configure and have to learn?

I've heard of the SONIC codec. Is this a sure shot? (worth the $15 to keep things simple, and repeatable should I have to reinstall XP on this system later.)

Thanks.

[stanger89]

With WinDVD you need to track down the appropriate key in the registry to set it to Digital output, you may have to do that with PowerDVD as well.

For WinDVD it's:
HKLM\Software\Intervideo\Common\AudioDec\AUDIOOUTPUT=(0 or 1)
It might not be that exact path but it's something similar.

As for Sonic, it's by far the easiest Codec I've dealt with, settings you make in the application apply when the filters are used in other applications. And when you get the codec pack, you get a little Control Panel app to adjust settings. If you want simple set up that's the way to go.

[broderp]

Originally posted by stanger89
With WinDVD you need to track down the appropriate key in the registry to set it to Digital output, you may have to do that with PowerDVD as well.

For WinDVD it's:
HKLM\Software\Intervideo\Common\AudioDec\AUDIOOUTPUT=(0 or 1)
It might not be that exact path but it's something similar.

As for Sonic, it's by far the easiest Codec I've dealt with, settings you make in the application apply when the filters are used in other applications. And when you get the codec pack, you get a little Control Panel app to adjust settings. If you want simple set up that's the way to go.

I'll look into it, but I don't understand how 5.1 can work in WinDVD when I use the WinDVD interface alone if the reg key is set for "off"

Maybe I'll get the SONIC encoder, I've heard nothing but good comments about it as far as picture quaility and compatibility.

(Still like to fix my issue with what I have!, just so I KNOW.)

[stanger89]

If I remember correctly, WinDVD doesn't actually use the WinDVD filters, or at the very least, doesn't use the same Registry keys as the filters.

[kny3twalker]

look at radlight filter manager
you can adjust all your decoders with it and see which will actually do spdif/ 5.1/ and beyond

winDVD seems locked to stereo and surround no 5.1
powerDVD can do 7.1
sonic can do spdif

[broderp]

where do I get radlight filter manager?

[stanger89]

However adjusting the properties in WinDVD Audio decoder won't stick, you have to set them in the registry.

[kny3twalker]

mine stick just fine but the 5.1 for WinDVD and every other option is grayed out
except mono, stereo, and stereo surround

[jettman]

Originally posted by stanger89
With WinDVD you need to track down the appropriate key in the registry to set it to Digital output, you may have to do that with PowerDVD as well.

For WinDVD it's:
HKLM\Software\Intervideo\Common\AudioDec\AUDIOOUTPUT=(0 or 1)
It might not be that exact path but it's something similar.

As for Sonic, it's by far the easiest Codec I've dealt with, settings you make in the application apply when the filters are used in other applications. And when you get the codec pack, you get a little Control Panel app to adjust settings. If you want simple set up that's the way to go.

I am having as Broderp. WinDVD5 will play the movie in DD5.1. Sage won't. I looked for the registry key you mentioned. The AUDIOOUTPUT is not there. Do you happen to know the exact registry key? Maybe I have to add one?

[jettman]

Originally posted by kny3twalker
mine stick just fine but the 5.1 for WinDVD and every other option is grayed out
except mono, stereo, and stereo surround

I used the filter manager and got Sonic to output Dolby Digital. Using the filter manager for Sonic is a check box called "Raw Output." Should I enable this checkbox if I want my Onkyo Receiver to do the decoding?

[kny3twalker]

certainly sounds like intervideo and many of these camoanies are trying to force you to use their application when you want to use their decoder
also NVDVD will allow 5.1 setup of the audio decoder

[stanger89]

Originally posted by jettman
I am having as Broderp. WinDVD5 will play the movie in DD5.1. Sage won't. I looked for the registry key you mentioned. The AUDIOOUTPUT is not there. Do you happen to know the exact registry key? Maybe I have to add one?

You'll probably need to add it. You might want to look for regmon and see where the filters look for the keys.

A little searching on AVS revealed that some recommend seting AUDIO=6. That would be in the same registry location.

[stanger89]

Originally posted by jettman
I used the filter manager and got Sonic to output Dolby Digital. Using the filter manager for Sonic is a check box called "Raw Output." Should I enable this checkbox if I want my Onkyo Receiver to do the decoding?

For Sonic decoders, you shouldn't need to do anything special, just enable digital output in either Cineplayer or the CP Applet. If you want to change the registry all you should need to set is "AC3SPDIFEnabled=1".

As for Raw Output, I wouldn't enable that, it could cause the filter to pass everything undecoded, including standard MPEG audio, which your receiver may not be able to decode.

[Dekard]

Alas, please forgive me for resurrecting a long dead thread. I'm trying to get a solutions that allows playback of 5.1 dvd's from within Sage. I've tried this reg hack and was able to locate the key your mentioned but I'm not seeing any changes in sage's handling of 5.1.

Any thoughts?

[stanger89]

Honestly, I'd just pick up the Bronze nVidia DVD Decoder.

[Dekard]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Honestly, I'd just pick up the Bronze nVidia DVD Decoder.

Already tried the bronze and not able to get it working. The ironic part is I can get 5.1 from Windvd directly but not through Sage. Tells me that the hardware and drivers are communicating properly with the receiver.

[Polypro]

Are you trying to use Passthrough to a receiver or analog decoding, for 5.1?

P

[Dekard]

Originally Posted by Polypro

Are you trying to use Passthrough to a receiver or analog decoding, for 5.1?

P

Spdif to a Yamaha receiver. I am able to get a 5.1 spdif signal to the receiver using all the hardware and drivers IF I play the dvd with the Windvd software. Using the same decoders from within sage results in a 2.0 signal.

[stanger89]

You might want to try Regmon and see what WinDVD is setting and duplicate that in the SageTV key.

[Dekard]

Originally Posted by stanger89

You might want to try Regmon and see what WinDVD is setting and duplicate that in the SageTV key.

using regedit I was able to look at the regkeys for windvd 7 and duplicate the seemingly relevant ones to the sage section. What more would regmon do?