Hi,
I have Linux debian testing OS, I can without any problems play AVI files AC3 audio stream through ALSA using XINE or mplayer etc. with 5.1 audio output.
My sound card is Creative Player 5.1, my audio output is analog (I can't use SPDIF passthrough, I dont have external decoder and I dont need it anyways)
I couldnt make true 5.1 output from VLC work.
When I select 5.1 device from audio menu during the playback of an AC3 movie, it just passes stereo signal into ALSA driver, I guess. Because the sound comes from back and front, but the surround channels are not separated. (stereo to 5.1 conversion is happening here)
If I select manually in VLC to use ALSA driver and if I specify the Creative card to be used, the 5.1 option disappears from the Audio menu.
Maybe there is something wrong when VLC asks ALSA about audio capabilities of my card - so I guess I should either force vlc to use 5.1 output, or configure ALSA to report that I have 5.1 speakers. Unfortunately I dont know how to do neither of these.
Can someone help me fix this issue, please?