Quicktime and AC3

[tidal]

Would someone please clear up this issue for me. My head is spinning. Does quicktime 7.5.5 with perian 1.1.3 play m4v with ac3 passthrough and actually have 5.1 and not just stereo? I've read no and that it's disabled and i've heard yes with tweaks and downgrading and i've heard just yes.

If it does work, what versions of software should I use?

I've currently got 10.5.6 with quicktime pro 7.5.5 with perian 1.1.3 and I'm pulling my hair out on getting my mp4/m4v to pass ac3. I can get vlc and plex to do it but not frontrow or quicktime. Quicktime recognizes the ac3 in the properties. I've tried all the versions of perian and even the plist hack which gives me the "helicopter" noise. I know it's not a perian issue but what is the no b.s. real deal answer.

Does it need a fresh install of os x and straight to 1.1.3?

I want to use frontrow to play my movies. I've tried plex/xbmc but they can't get the software to read mp4 metadata so I have to fix the crappy artwork and tags which my movies already have.

I figured if anyone knew it would you guys.

ps. i've tried google, apple discussions, handbrake discussions, plex discussions.

thank you!

[gbooker]

Does quicktime 7.5.5 with perian 1.1.3 play m4v with ac3 passthrough and actually have 5.1 and not jsut stereo?

With the passthrough hack, yes, but it doesn't work with all receivers.

I've tried all the versions of perian and even the plist hack which gives me the "helicopter" noise.

"plist hack" sounds like you followed the wrong instructions. Follow these instead:
http://www.cod3r.com/2008/02/the-correc ... quicktime/
If this doesn't work for you, then your receiver doesn't support the passthrough hack, and you are SOL until apple actually makes passthrough work on the mac, a feature I have requested of them several months ago.
Go to http://bugreporter.apple.com, and request it yourself. Here's what I said in 5799133:

Please enable a method for AC3 passthrough on the desktop using Quicktime. There are no licensing issues for passthrough, and you already have the enabling code in place. The AppleTV proves that your code works, so please add the interface so this can be used on the desktop.

The hack in use by Perian isn't perfect. It does not work with all receivers where the true passthrough will. Audio outputted using the encoded digital audio output of the optical interface works, as evident by the DVD player, but this method is not available to Quicktime in any documented manner.

Does it need a fresh install of os x and straight to 1.1.3?

Not likely.

[tidal]

Thank you very much gbooker

If it doesn't work which I think it won't I will submit the ticket to apple. I think I may have stumbled across your blog entry before.

Where do you think the appropriate place would be to possibly list a how-to and receivers that do and don't work?

[tidal]

UPDATE

Mac Mini 1.83ghz c2d 1gb ram
Quicktime 7.5.5
Perian 1.1.3
Onkyo TX-SR605
Optical cable

Does not work with perian hack

I'll have to find a way to get Frontrow to launch vlc while playing movies as it does 5.1 properly

Apple Problem ID: 6469688

[steen]

I also have this issue with my Dennon AV receiver and Macbook Pro.

How did you set up vlc to passthrough?

[tidal]

I also have this issue with my Dennon AV receiver and Macbook Pro.

How did you set up vlc to passthrough?

I didn't do anything special for vlc. It just works.

If you don't mind would you put the specs of your system in a post? That way other people with the same equipment can end their frustration. Make/Model/Version.

[steen]

I didn't do anything special for vlc. It just works.

Yeh, I've heard that before. Turns out it doesn't. For a while VLC had a filter issue, then they had a volume issue... end result was no passthrough. Just 2 channel mix-down and that is were I've been all along.

Stats:
MacBook Pro 4,2 (2.4 Ghz C2D, 8600M GT, 2GB) > optical S/PDIF > Denon AVR-5700 > Hitachi 50HDA39 (bleh) & Sony VPH-1292Q (very nice)

Looks and sounds great with DVD.

Thanks...


I'll try with the latest build of VLC.

[tidal]

Yeh, I've heard that before. Turns out it doesn't. For a while VLC had a filter issue, then they had a volume issue... end result was no passthrough. Just 2 channel mix-down and that is were I've been all along.

I'll try with the latest build of VLC.

steen: that's all i can recommend is the latest build plus i messed around with the audio/midi setup but vlc worked before that.

[ferret84]

How did you set up vlc to passthrough?

Go to VLC's preferences, click on the Audio tab and tick the "Use S/PDIF when available" checkbox. Works wonders!

[steen]

How did you set up vlc to passthrough?

Go to VLC's preferences, click on the Audio tab and tick the "Use S/PDIF when available" checkbox. Works wonders!

Thanks! The latest build of VLC did it... finally.

Now if Apple would just get there sh*t together and enable passthrough in Quicktime!