Ac3 audio over spdif

[bigbeav]

So I just moved from a single machine to a WHS and a placeshifter client. I got everything setup and working except the audio. When I play back anything that is a 5.1 audio (It shows this in the video details of the videos I'm playing). All I get it 2-channel PCM to my receiver of SPDIF. Before Sage Client was outputing the ac3 just fine and the receiver saw it as 5.1. I can't seem to find a setting either to change sage to send the 5.1. Media Player classic sends 5.1 as well as VLC. Any thoughts?

[Conejo]

What 'Audio Renderer' (device) and 'Audio Decoder Filter' (Codec) do you have selected in SageTV 'Detailed Setup: Video/Audio'?

Usually the AC3 codec will be selected by SageTV and when playing a show you can select the 'AC3 Filter Configuration' in the TaskTray (near the clock) by double-click the icon and check your SPDIF settings.

[bigbeav]

Maybe that is part of my problem, I don't have that as an option in the detailed setup section. I just have General, Multimedia, Commands, Server, Advanced, Customize and Setup Menu. I also have the ac3filter installed, but the tray icon doesn't show up for sage, the other programs it does. I did a search in my properties file and I saw it had AC3Filter as a decoder. Maybe I need to just break down and buy the client and not use the placeshifter.

[Taddeusz]

I think this is where the confusion lies. While the SageTV Client can have that ability I'm not sure the Placeshifter does or can. It's more of a limited client meant mainly for viewing over the internet. As a result it's not as configurable as the full client as it mainly plays lower quality transcoded stuff.

[bigbeav]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

I think this is where the confusion lies. While the SageTV Client can have that ability I'm not sure the Placeshifter does or can. It's more of a limited client meant mainly for viewing over the internet. As a result it's not as configurable as the full client as it mainly plays lower quality transcoded stuff.

Well that sucks. When you do the whole WHS configuration, you only get a placeshifter. I know there is a client on the server box, but it doesn't like to run through remote desktop since mine is headless. I was trying to reduce the number of computers I have running 24/7. Since the home server pretty much demands that, I thought it would be great do the whole server client thing, but since I'm missing my 5.1 audio my plan is not working out to well. . Maybe sage should be nice and give a client license out for WHS users?

[Taddeusz]

The HD Extender is the perfect replacement for a full client if all you're going to do is use it for SageTV. No fiddling with decoders or video drivers. It just works. No muss no fuss.

I personally only have one TV. My server, running on Windows XP SP3, is headless running in a completely different room from my TV. My TV, currently a regular 32" tube SDTV, is hooked to my HD Extender via s-video and then to my receiver via the optical out. It works perfectly. For $200 I'd say it's a deal compared to using a full noisy computer as a client.

[bigbeav]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

For $200 I'd say it's a deal compared to using a full noisy computer as a client.

My case alone was that price. I also like to play some video games, old SNES games on mine, I don't think the extender can do that. Also I've been using mine to do the netflix watch now thing for months. They let you do it if you have a HDCP connection.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by bigbeav

My case alone was that price. I also like to play some video games, old SNES games on mine, I don't think the extender can do that. Also I've been using mine to do the netflix watch now thing for months. They let you do it if you have a HDCP connection.

Yea, you'll need a full client for that. If you really need the SPDIF pass-thru it's just $30 for a full Client license. You might verify first by contacting support whether Placeshifter will do that but I suspect the answer is going to be "no". Be aware that by going with the full client you'll also need the proper decoders.