Are there any DVD players that will play H.264 files?

[trains are bad]

I have some H.264 files that have AC3 5.one audio. However my HTPC can't output surround at the moment, only my DVD player his hooked up to my reciever. I know there are DVD players that will play DivX and Xvid files, could I easily convert them? I could use an new DVD player anyway...I have a 30 dollar walmart one now.

 

[tourmaline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by trains are bad /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have some H.264 files that have AC3 5.one audio. However my HTPC can't output surround at the moment, only my DVD player his hooked up to my reciever. I know there are DVD players that will play DivX and Xvid files, could I easily convert them? I could use an new DVD player anyway...I have a 30 dollar walmart one now.

probably your drive in the pc? Software decoding in windows.

 

[trains are bad]

Naturally. However, as I said, I can't listen to the surround mix from my computer.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Not yet, but soon enough. Conversion could be as easy as dropping a file into Virtual Dub and recompressing it with the DivX codec. With surround audio, subtitles, multiple audio tracks, etc., VD is probably not the best program.

What's stopping you from getting digital or analog output from your HTPC?

 

[trains are bad]

You know, I suppose if I got a long enough optical cable I could hook the PC up to my reciever. I have a SPDIF jack on my integrated MB. I never suspected that it works, but I've never tried it. Can you run optical say, 2-3m?

I could also maybe use digital out to my DAC then rather than the USB I use now.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Yep. Optical should be safe up to about 15 feet (some say more).

 

[trains are bad]

Well I hooked up my computer with an optical cable, and I can't get my surround processor to switch to surround sound even with DVDs. It does work, but only stereo. I'm using Media Player Classic with CCCP. MPC says audio is "English AC3 48000 bits 6 channels"

 

[infinitesymphony]

Now's the time to test your motherboard's onboard sound for bit-perfect output capability. I remember seeing a bunch of threads that included decent testing methods, so you should be able to find one.

Here are some DTS-encoded files to test:

http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/mall/index.asp?programid=2445

If your receiver can decode DTS and your computer is passing a bit-perfect signal, you'll hear sound. If something's wrong, you'll hear static.

 

[trains are bad]

It doesn't look good. I tried the DD test at the bottom of that page and all I get is some weird fluttering chatter. Or chattering flutter. The DTS is still downloading.

You mean my MB could be technically incapable of outputting surround sound? That's absurd. It has surround sound analog outputs on it. It's a freaking mATX HTPC motherboard (DFI RS482)

EDIT: the DTS track is only static. Those surround test files open in Windows Media Player.

 

[infinitesymphony]

The DFI RS482 uses the Realtek ALC850 chip. This is based on the older AC'97 standard and is not capable of outputting bit-perfect audio like the newer HD Audio codecs. In addition, it's only capable of handling up to 16 bits, so all 24-bit content (ex. DVD) will be downsampled.

Edit: After looking at the specs, it appears that everything is resampled to 48 kHz, and the S/PDIF out only works with content at 48 kHz.

Quote:

Featuring four 16-bit two-channel DACs and a stereo 16-bit ADC, the ALC850 is an AC'97 Rev 2.3 compatible multi-channel audio CODEC designed for PC multimedia systems. # Eight-channel DA converter (48KHz) # Supports 48KHz S/PDIF output # Supports 32K/44.1K/48KHz S/PDIF input

Theoretically, it might be easier to let your computer do the surround decoding in software, then buy three 1/8" to two RCA Y-cables and hook them up to your receiver's analog 5.1 inputs.

 

[PsychoZX]

Just get a cheap sound card that can do the job right.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829120103

 

[trains are bad]

Wow, that's only 22 dollars.

I didn't need or want a soundcard for music because I have a DAC, but that's cheap enough...the only issue I can think of is my computer is built lite and quiet and I know I can't add too much power draw or my wittle 250W PSU might croak.

Do you know if it work under linux?