Cable Forum - View Single Post - my laptop specs say it 5.1 sound and high definition output

peanut · 14-07-2010, 09:38

How I get 5.1 etc from my PC (desktop)...

I have a ATI HD 5850 that has HDMI output, so from that, a HDMI lead from the graphics card into an AV (Yamaha RX-V465). Then only via TV-Out using Catalyst control center and extending the display to my 32" LCD, the HDMI sends HD picture and the sound directly to the AV, and the AV is connected via HDMI to the TV obviously.

The only way I can get 5.1 bitstreamed and not fake 5.1 (PCM) is to use MPC (Windows Media Classic) and having AC3Filter installed as well. This then sends AC3 to be decoded via the AV (bitstreamed). This works for anything that is AC3, that is DIVX, X264s etc.

If you use VLC player then it'll only be PCM as they use their own codecs which is a shame.

MPC (for me) has problems with normal DVDs, but you can use things like WinDVD 10 which will use AC3filter to send bitstream. But I tend to use the DVD player via HDMI that's also connected to the AV.

This way is the easiest and most stable way of getting 5.1 etc from a PC, there are other ways but I'd rather stick with what works without too much hassle.

14-07-2010, 09:38	#5
peanut NUTS !! Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 5,271	Re: my laptop specs say it 5.1 sound and high definition output - connect speakers? How I get 5.1 etc from my PC (desktop)... I have a ATI HD 5850 that has HDMI output, so from that, a HDMI lead from the graphics card into an AV (Yamaha RX-V465). Then only via TV-Out using Catalyst control center and extending the display to my 32" LCD, the HDMI sends HD picture and the sound directly to the AV, and the AV is connected via HDMI to the TV obviously. The only way I can get 5.1 bitstreamed and not fake 5.1 (PCM) is to use MPC (Windows Media Classic) and having AC3Filter installed as well. This then sends AC3 to be decoded via the AV (bitstreamed). This works for anything that is AC3, that is DIVX, X264s etc. If you use VLC player then it'll only be PCM as they use their own codecs which is a shame. MPC (for me) has problems with normal DVDs, but you can use things like WinDVD 10 which will use AC3filter to send bitstream. But I tend to use the DVD player via HDMI that's also connected to the AV. This way is the easiest and most stable way of getting 5.1 etc from a PC, there are other ways but I'd rather stick with what works without too much hassle. __________________ Oh what fun it is