AC3 Works well DTS doesn't sound as well.

[rimmi2002]

Hi I am running XBMC on my XP HTPC. The audio goes via SPDIF to my Onkyo SR-606 receiver. Sound quality is great for stereo/ AC3 DD5.1 audio. I have some problems with DTS audio. DTS sounds inferior to the AC3 Audio. My satellite speakers sound too low and the center/front/bass too loud. The surround sound effect is just missing overall the sound quality is just dull and loud instead of crisp. I would except DTS to be at par or better than AC3 DD, but that is not the case. Is there is a reason for this. Can XBMC handle DTS 1.5mbits or do other ppl have trouble with this also. Anyone have tips on what I can do to improve DTS sound quality with XBMC?

Also I have AC3filter installed. From what I hear XBMC does not use AC3Filter. So is there another way to edit XBMC audio settings?

[jmarshall]

Is the sound being passthrough'd? Check the information while it's playing (press O on the keyboard).

If so, we're not touching it.

[phi2039]

I would check your source in WMPlayer using ac3filter (since you have it installed). I have the same receiver and get very good results passing dts through from xbmc.

There are a lot of variables here, and 'quality' is a very relative term. The surround processing is performed during mastering (at the studio) and during playback (in the receiver). XBMC is doing exactly what the setting implies. It is passing an encoded stream through to the receiver, untouched. There is absolutely nothing (save adding some padding to the frames) being done to the audio stream when pass-through is active.

I would suggest trying a number of different sources with DTS streams and re-running the automatic audio setup (with the microphone) on the receiver.

[rimmi2002]

How do I check if sound is being passed through? for DTS sources under audio it says

D(Audio: DCA, 48,000, 5:1) P (Aq: 99% cpu 0% bitrate 1470 kbs/s)

In audio settings I have digital selected and checked both boxes for AC3/DTS capable receiver.

Btw also just ran my the same movie (Dark Knight) through windows media player...with AC3 and Haali media splitter and it sounds so much better with just default AC3 settings. So I am thinking it has something to do with the way I am passing audio to XBMC. Anyway I can change this?

[rimmi2002]

Also Checked through media portal and once again DTS sounds works much better through there using ac3filter.

Any help on how to make XBMC equivalent to Media player sound would be very helpful. Thanks.

[tslayer]

Let's first get your debug log. It may show us some details.

[rimmi2002]

Are you referring to the "xbmc.log" file in
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\XBMC.
I can get that for you tomorrow.

Lastly my cache settings for XBMC are at default. Would increasing any of those make any difference?

[tslayer]

Yes, xbmc.log. Make sure debug is enabled. Check the link in my signature.

And no, cache shouldn't make a difference.

[rimmi2002]

Ok here is my log file for a 5 min run on Dark Knight. MKV format with DTS 1.5 mbits.

http://pastebin.com/m1fc0aa60

[althekiller]

That build is pretty old. Might try one of the 3rd party build available around here on the forums.

[rimmi2002]

Where can I get third party builds for Windows XP. I thought there were only third party builds for XBox?

[althekiller]

Check the windows forum, which where I'm moving this thread since that's where it belongs.

[rimmi2002]

Thanks for your help. I apologize for posting in the wrong forum.

There are three 3rd installs IKON/kricker/jester. Anyone you recc'd in particular for best audio/video. Or will any do? Thanks for the help.