Why does my 5.1 AC3 MKV file show up as a 2.0 file when imported.

Question

Hi guys,

 I'm having this problem and I'm wodering what's is the solution to resolve it. Simply put, when i'm importing my MKV movie file with AC3 5.1 soundtrack the expression encoder thinks it's actually a 2.0 AC3 track. This problem doesn't occur when the file MKV video file has either DTS or Dolby True-HD. Is there something I can do to fix this, or is this a known issue I need to live with at the moment? 

Thanks Everyone 

Answer 1

Are you using IIS SmoothStreaming or our free version?

Taking into account that you're using IIS SmoothStreaming, this is most probably due to a third party codec taking over the AC3 decoding and downconverting to stereo by default. I suggest disabling any 3rd party AC3/DD decoders via the Tools->Options->Compatibility tab and try to import the file again. I have verified that we import MKV files containing AC-3 5.1 as 5.1 channels using our decoder.

If you're using the free version, you'll have to find the right 3rd party AC-3 decoder that will enable you to select "5.1 audio channel output" and/or playing with the settings of your current one to ensure it doesn't downconvert. We do everything possible in our DShow pin negociation algorithm to plug-in to the 5.1 if it's available, as you experienced with DTS and TrueHD.

Answer 2

Hi Eric,


 I'm using the free version. After some toying around and installing other codec packs it seems that the codec settings were the problem and not the encoder.

Thanks for your help

Answer 3

Im having the same issue, MKV's showing as 2.0 audio. Im trying to import an MKV file with the following profile :

 

Video: MPEG4 Video (H264) 1280x720 23.98fps [Video]
Audio: Dolby AC3 48000Hz 6ch [Audio]

 

I tried to disable the 3rd party decoders but it doesnt work :(

Answer 4

As explained above, if you're using the free version of Encoder, you're going to have a 3rd party AC3 codec that provides us with the 5.1 channels.

Answer 5

I forgot to mention I am using the Pro version. 3rd party codecs are installed on the machine. Should I try to uninstall them? I tried to disable them but Encoder wouldnt let me import the MKV anymore.

 

Edit:

I uninstalled all of the 3rd party codecs now. When I try to import a MKV file (I tried several) Encoder tells me this file type isn't supported. I'm lost now...

 

Edit2.

I installed 32bit k-lite codec pack and it's working now. CCCP(combined community codec pack)  does not work as i have learned the hard way...

Answer 6

I forgot to mention I am using the Pro version. 3rd party codecs are installed on the machine. Should I try to uninstall them? I tried to disable them but Encoder wouldnt let me import the MKV anymore.

 

Edit:

I uninstalled all of the 3rd party codecs now. When I try to import a MKV file (I tried several) Encoder tells me this file type isn't supported. I'm lost now...

 

Edit2.

I installed 32bit k-lite codec pack and it's working now. CCCP(combined community codec pack)  does not work as i have learned the hard way...

I gotta good question.  If you have the pro version, and it supports H264 files and even lists a Microsoft H264 decoder, ever wonder why it can't open a native H264 file?  I do as I am having the same issue.  Downloading k-lite now but still odd in my opinion.

Steve

Answer 7

There are 3 types of codecs used in every "video" files around: a video decoder, an audio decoder and a container demuxer/splitter. You need all three to be able to succesfully decode the file.

In the case above, the three codecs would be:

Video: H.264

Audio: AC3

Container: MKV

Also please note that "H264" isn't a file format, it's a native stream video codec which we don't support in general on import. You can find free tools to package your H264 content into a valid file format that Encoder will read.

As for MKV: While Encoder Pro ships with H.264 and AC3 decoders, it can't ship with the MKV splitter, which is why it doesn't natively support MKV files without the help of a demuxer/splitter like Haali Media Splitter, which I've recommended many times on this forum for this type of file. There shouldn't be a need to install any codec packs, which includes all sort of codecs that are ranging wildly in terms of stability, especially when used for video editing/encoding (remember, those codec packs are mainly for playback purposes). I would highly recommend not using those pack and instead use a surgical approach to the problem, which would be to only install and enable the codec needed. Otherwise, it is likely you will experience hangs, crashes and failures which were introduced by a random codec on the codec pack and it may take you some time to isolate.

I wish I had a better story to share, but unfortunately, this is how the DShow codec architecture works, for better or for worse.

Answer 8

Could it be a problem when 64 bit codecs are installed?

Do they overrule the 32 bit architecture of MEE?

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ASUS F1A75-V pro, AMD F1 A8, ATI HD 6670, crossfire

Answer 9

EE is 32-bit and will only use 32-bit codecs. 64-bit codecs will be ignored.