AC3 audio playback problems with .avi files

[jaymann]

**EDIT**
fixed the problem described below. it turns out that there that showtime codec was actually part of the problem. I used graphedit to render some files and the default configuration was not using the AC3 filter. Once I removed the various offending codes (including showtime), it worked fine. Tested it by playing files in WMP - if it works there, should work in Sage...
EDIT

I am having a problem when playing back imported video files, specifically .avi files that have an AC3 audio stream. The audio is fine until I pause, FFW, REW the movie, then all audio goes dead until i stop the file and restart from the beginning.

I have the following setup:
Audio renderer: Soundmax digital audio
Mpeg2 Audio Decoder: default (although Intervideo and Nvidia causes same problem)

I have SPDIF out from my motherboard to my receiver through coax digital connection. I have the AC3 decoder/filter installed, but I don't think that it is ever used. When i play a file and open AC3 filter from the control panel, i don't see any of the levels moving around, and i don't see any bitrate or cpu use information. dead as a doornail. I do have the AC3 settings set to "directsound" and "preferred decoder".

If i play the same files in Nero Showtime, the audio is fine, even after FFW or REW. But even here, it doesn't appear that the AC3 filter is being used.

I've played around with the soundmax controls, they are set for SPDIF output, and the AC3 and PCM checkboxes are checked. One interesting thing is that the same movie files played in NERO showtime have the "PCM Digital" light come on on my Yamaha receiver, but when played in Sage it just says "Digital". I'm not even sure what PCM is so maybe that is a part of it!

Any help would be appreciated. My audio works great otherwise - its just with these damn AC3 encoded movies.

[ltburch2000]

The problem is the soundmax driver. An updated driver is availible here:

http://support.asus.com.tw/download/...Language=en-us

I had exactly the same problem until I updated to the 5.12.5150 driver.