Okay, I finally tried the recommended Media Player Classic with ffdshow (or you could use ac3 filter, I guess). A few tweaks and I am listening to stutter free 5.1 surround from mkv, video_ts, etc. This problem absolutely, without a doubt, lies with the vlc player and its compatability issues with Direct Show.
So I can finally enjoy my new HTPC after TWO WEEKS of screwing with this problem.
And before you get too far in my grill because I'm griping about a free program, yes, I know its free. But I have invested hours setting it up, tweaking the keyboard shortcuts, etc. I have also downloaded stuff in formats that media center won't play without more hours of tweaking (iso and img disc images, which play fine in vlc, but have to be unzipped to be played in MPC.
Plus, I REALLY REALLY LOVE VLC. It's the greatest player out there, and the only thing more maddening than this MASSIVE GLITCH is guys like DJ who claim there's no problem He reminds me of John Cleese as the Black Knight in MP and the Holy Grail..."Your arm's off!" "No it isn't"
I sincerely hope somebody somewhere fixes this issue. Media Player Classic is a poor redneck cousin to VLC and doesn't have nearly the flexibility, navigation, and ease of use.
But just as I have had to abandon so many other of my favorite programs because of glitches, incompatabilities, etc, I fear I may never use this again, because someone threw a chihuahua turd in with the pinto beans. It just takes one.
Last word...gentlemen, the HTPC is the wave of the future and you will run into a thousand more guys next year simply trying to get their HD Audio from their PC to their receivers. The answer CAN'T be "try to find an older driver or version that works." And if you are trying to do it while not addressing a fundamental incompatability with DirectShow, then...wow.
Hope this gets addressed, or somebody comes up with a real workaround. MPC is gonna get old real quick, I fear.
Sorry if some of my tech jargon was off. I know most of you are more knowledgable than me. But I DO know when something is effed up, and this is pretty sad.