5.1 Sound
Hi Guys,
I am having trouble with the basic understanding of the DSM330 and supported audio settings. For example, What kind of audio gives 5.1 sound on DSM-330? Does the video container or format also matters?
For example, let's say AC3 5+1 gives 5.1 sound on DSM-330, does the video file must be in some format,too?
In my DSM-330 Audio Settings page, 5.1 Audio is enabled but all I get is stereo sound from my Home Theater Speakers (5+1).
Now I use kamiwa's hack for streaming content. Does this hack causes down-mixing of audio to stereo? Most of my video files are .mkv ,H.264 with DTS, how can I make these files to output 5.1 sound? Is there a way to convert these files to something else (what is that smtg else? ) that can give 5.1?
Thanks all!
Thanks for the information fkm,
I am finally at peace with DSM-330. I completely disabled Kamiwa's Hack, and converted all my DTS videos to AC3 with a tool I found at Popcorn Hour's forums. It turned out that Popcorn Hour 100 series does not support DTS, too so they write a very simple, fast DTS to AC3 tool.
Now I can watch 1080p mkv videos with 5.1 AC3 sound.
If I need subtitles, I convert the DTS Audio to 6 Channel AC3, then with the divx converter, .mkv to HD720P profile divx file, then I can have the subtitles.
How are you managing to do this, if you don’t mind me asking? I have just setup a second DSM-330 and connected it, for the first time, to an AV receiver. I have tried numerous AC3 MKV’s and they are all, without exception, downmixed to ProLogic. From a bit of investigating I am lead to understand that, because MKV is not native to the 330, it cannot properly decode audio – DTS doesn’t play at all (without the Kamiwa hack) and AC3 is simply downmixed to stereo. Transversely, all of my AC3 .avi movies play as they should (in surround sound) – my amp identifies the “Dolby Digital” stream, so I know its okay.
To clarify; are you definitely managing to get true AC3 audio through your AV amp from the 330 using an MKV container? ‘cos I can’t! (But wish I could...!)
Sorry for my late reply : (
But here is my setup and experience:
My DSM 330 is connected to TV via HDMI directly. However I used DSM-330 Optical output to my AV Receiver's Optical In for the sound, which translates that I do not let HDMI handle the sound and here is why:
When I first tried to get 5.1 sound via HDMI only, and that means DSM 330 HDMI to AV Receiver's HDMI in, I ended up no 5.1, even most of the time no sound at all.
BTW, Divx 7 is installed on the server, so .mkv is recognized by my divx player, and I am using Connected Server version 1.5.0 build 75, not the latest version, running on XP PRO SP3.
All the video files I have are originally packed with DTS Sound, I convert each of them to 6 channel AC3 via popcorn hours utility I mentioned in my previous post.
And again I removed Kamiwa's hack from my server, so .mkv job is naturally handled by connected server itself without the hack.
If you need , I can also provide you a sample video file (.mkv with 6 channel ac3) that works for me so that you can check.
Hope this helps ..
Thanks for the feedback. My setup sounds very similar to yours; I am also using the Optical connection to connect the 330 to my AV receiver, as well as using DivX 7 on my PC. The multichannel streams are recognised just fine on the PC – it’s just that my amp shows “Pro Logic” with all MKV's from the 330, regardless of any additional adjustments I make. I have tried every setting imaginable but with no success. Yet multichannel .avi’s are instantly recognised as DD and sound superb. Annoying!
I am running Connected Server version 1.5.1 Build: 20 on a Vista machine – the only two differences between our setups. Maybe one of these is the issue for me? I’ll try the server version you are using and see if that helps. Failing that, well, I am stumped...
In my case, Kamiwa's hack appears to be converting DTS to 2 channel stereo. I haven't tried AC3 in terms of MKV playback.
However, AC3 does give 5.1 if its part of an Xvid or DivX file.