No dialogue audio in mkv files

[Brigade alley]

This used to be a once in a blue moon issue, but now it's weekly.

I play an MKV file and the audio track isn't there. Background, ambient and music are all fine, but no voices. It is infuriating.

No amount of changing to spdif or switching combos of HDMI, HDMI Encoded, or system audio works. How in the world is this so common in recent mkv files but VLC can't work it out?

This is on a Mac mini, Sierra, HDMI out to a receiver, then to my TV. Anyone else been through this?

[dfuhrmann]

If you use HDMI out, it is likely that VLC only passes out the original audio stream - then the problem could be with our reciever. Please check the settings there.

You can also try to just play with local analog speakers attached to your mac - here sound should work fine with voices.

[mastermiki]

Having the same issue with audio out via HDMI connection to my stereo coming from VLC player. Due to some issue, I can't hear the dialog only the music & effects tracks. This is a problem that's showing up in a lot of places here on the forum. Does anyone know why? I tried everything but no luck! Had to play it back via my laptop speakers, ugh!

[Brigade alley]

Checking back that I tried everything with my receiver under the sun, to no avail. To dfuhrmann's point, it could be that the signal process from the HDMI isn't being properly read by a receiver that's around 7 years old. However, again, this is the only app, and the only instance where this has been a problem. Obviously I'm not the only one and would love to see VLC speak up about it.

(That last line can be ready as snarky, but it isn't - sometimes all we want is recognition for our problems)

[mastermiki]

Hi folks,

I was able to troubleshoot and fix this issue with the "Audio Midi Setup" application on the Mac (in your Utilities folder).

On the left side, I selected my output (HDMI) and then under the 'format' dropdown selected '2 channel 24-bit integer 44.1kHz' (instead of the 6 channel that was showing). This brought the dialog back. Hope it will work for you too. cheers

[haplo770]

Thanks this has been an issue for me. needed to change the configuration of my speakers to 5.1 surround. i have a 2012 mac mini quad core connected to a receiver.