"AC-3" codec not supported?

Microsoft Windows specific usage questions
Forum rules
Please post only Windows specific questions in this forum category. If you don't know where to post, please read the different forums' rules. Thanks.
virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

"AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 28 Mar 2018 15:53

I have VLC latest version (when I click 'check for updates').

I am recording TV using a digital tuner and NextPVR.

The recordings are playing fine with Windows Media Player.

But VLC player plays only the video, no audio and complains with a pop-up:
Codec not supported:
VLC could not decode the format "AC-3" (No description for this codec)

Are there any codecs to fix this?

robUx4
Developer
Developer
Posts: 255
Joined: 31 Jan 2005 13:50
VLC version: master
Operating System: Windows
Contact:

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby robUx4 » 28 Mar 2018 16:15

Can you provide some logs ? (Tools > Messages > verbosity 2 before starting playback)

We do support AC-3. Maybe it's connected through HDMI and trying to decode through that.

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 29 Mar 2018 20:34

Thanks for your help. I see this in the log:

mp4 warning: cannot free box AC-3, type unknown
...
core error: Codec `AC-3' (No description for this codec) is not supported.
core debug: killing decoder fourcc `AC-3', 0 PES in FIFO


From what I can see, the 'AC-3' is not recognized in the log:
core debug: auto hiding mouse cursor
core debug: adding item `The.Flash.S04E14.Subject.9.mp4' ( file:///E:/Videos/TV%20shows/The%20Flash/The.Flash.S04E14.Subject.9.mp4 )
core debug: control: stopping input
core debug: incoming request - stopping current input
core debug: finished input
core debug: removing module "avcodec"
avcodec debug: ffmpeg codec (MPEG-1/2 Video) stopped
core debug: killing decoder fourcc `mpgv', 0 PES in FIFO
core debug: Creating an input for 'The.Flash.S04E14.Subject.9.mp4'
core debug: saving a free vout
core debug: reusing provided vout
qt4 debug: Qt: Fullscreen state changed
core debug: removing module "mp4"
mp4 debug: freeing all memory
mp4 warning: cannot free box AC-3, type unknown
mp4 warning: cannot free box text, type unknown
core debug: removing module "record"
core debug: removing module "filesystem"
core debug: Program doesn't contain anymore ES
core debug: incoming request - stopping current input
core debug: dead input
core debug: processing request item: The.Flash.S04E14.Subject.9.mp4, node: Playlist, skip: 0
core debug: rebuilding array of current - root Playlist
core debug: rebuild done - 2 items, index 1
core debug: starting playback of the new playlist item
core debug: resyncing on The.Flash.S04E14.Subject.9.mp4
core debug: The.Flash.S04E14.Subject.9.mp4 is at 1
core debug: creating new input thread
core debug: Creating an input for 'The.Flash.S04E14.Subject.9.mp4'
core debug: requesting art for The.Flash.S04E14.Subject.9.mp4
...

Further below:
core debug: using demux module "mp4"
core debug: looking for a subtitle file in E:\Videos\TV shows\The Flash\
core debug: looking for decoder module matching "any": 43 candidates
avcodec debug: CPU flags: 0x010053db
avcodec debug: trying to use direct rendering
avcodec debug: allowing 4 thread(s) for decoding
avcodec debug: avcodec codec (MPEG-1/2 Video) started
core debug: using decoder module "avcodec"
core debug: looking for decoder module matching "any": 43 candidates
mft error: Could not find suitable MFT decoder
core debug: no decoder modules matched
core error: Codec `AC-3' (No description for this codec) is not supported.
core debug: killing decoder fourcc `AC-3', 0 PES in FIFO
core debug: looking for meta reader module matching "any": 2 candidates

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 01 Apr 2018 01:11

Just to add more information. The mp4 file was created from an over the air recording (file.ts) converted to a file.mp4 using the following:
(3.4.2-win64) ffmpeg.exe -i file.ts -codec copy file.mp4

robUx4
Developer
Developer
Posts: 255
Joined: 31 Jan 2005 13:50
VLC version: master
Operating System: Windows
Contact:

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby robUx4 » 03 Apr 2018 14:23

` qt4 debug: Qt: Fullscreen state changed` it seems you're using VLC 2.2. Can you try with VLC 3.0 ?

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 05 Apr 2018 01:31

I got the same result with the version 3.

Here is part of the log for a similar recording (I removed some entries that did not look relevant):
main debug: incoming request - stopping current input
main debug: Creating an input for preparsing 'Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4'
main debug: killing decoder fourcc `mpgv'
main debug: removing module "avcodec"
main debug: saving a free vout
main debug: reusing provided vout
main debug: removing module "mp4"
mp4 debug: freeing all memory
main debug: Program doesn't contain anymore ES
main debug: removing module "record"
main debug: removing module "cache_read"
main debug: removing module "filesystem"
main debug: dead input
main debug: processing request item: Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4, node: Playlist, skip: 0
main debug: rebuilding array of current - root Playlist
main debug: rebuild done - 2 items, index 1
main debug: starting playback of new item
main debug: resyncing on Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4
main debug: Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4 is at 1
main debug: creating new input thread
main debug: Creating an input for 'Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4'
main debug: requesting art for new input thread
main debug: looking for meta fetcher module matching "any": 1 candidates
main debug: using timeshift granularity of 50 MiB
main debug: using timeshift path: C:\Users\paul\AppData\Local\Temp
main debug: `file:///E:/Videos/TV%20shows/Krypton/Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4' gives access `file' demux `any' path `/E:/Videos/TV%20shows/Krypton/Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4'
main debug: creating demux: access='file' demux='any' location='/E:/Videos/TV%20shows/Krypton/Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4' file='E:\Videos\TV shows\Krypton\Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4'
main debug: looking for access_demux module matching "file": 15 candidates
main debug: no meta fetcher modules matched
main debug: looking for art finder module matching "any": 2 candidates
main debug: no access_demux modules matched
main debug: creating access: file:///E:/Videos/TV%20shows/Krypton/Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4
main debug: (path: E:\Videos\TV shows\Krypton\Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4)
main debug: looking for access module matching "file": 25 candidates
main debug: using access module "filesystem"
main debug: looking for stream_filter module matching "prefetch,cache_read": 24 candidates
main debug: using stream_filter module "cache_read"
main debug: looking for stream_filter module matching "any": 24 candidates
main debug: no art finder modules matched
main debug: looking for meta fetcher module matching "any": 1 candidates
main debug: no meta fetcher modules matched
main debug: looking for art finder module matching "any": 2 candidates
qt debug: IM: Deleting the input
main debug: no art finder modules matched
main debug: no stream_filter modules matched
main debug: looking for stream_directory module matching "any": 1 candidates
main debug: no stream_directory modules matched
main debug: attachment of directory-extractor failed for file:///E:/Videos/TV%20shows/Krypton/Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4
main debug: looking for stream_filter module matching "record": 24 candidates
main debug: using stream_filter module "record"
main debug: creating demux: access='file' demux='any' location='/E:/Videos/TV%20shows/Krypton/Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4' file='E:\Videos\TV shows\Krypton\Krypton.S01E01.Pilot.mp4'
main debug: looking for demux module matching "mp4": 55 candidates
...
avcodec debug: using ffmpeg Lavc58.6.103
avcodec debug: CPU flags: 0x000853db
avcodec debug: allowing 5 thread(s) for decoding
avcodec debug: codec (mpeg2video) started
main debug: using video decoder module "avcodec"
main debug: looking for audio decoder module matching "any": 23 candidates
mft error: Could not find suitable MFT decoder
main debug: no audio decoder modules matched
main error: Codec `AC-3' (No description for this codec) is not supported.
main debug: killing decoder fourcc ` '
main debug: looking for meta reader module matching "any": 2 candidates

MrCarney
New Cone
New Cone
Posts: 1
Joined: 08 Apr 2018 21:00

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby MrCarney » 08 Apr 2018 21:02

I have this problem too.

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 24 Apr 2018 01:57

Anyone has a solution?

User avatar
InTheWings
Developer
Developer
Posts: 1275
Joined: 07 Aug 2013 13:15
VLC version: crashing
Operating System: Linux
Contact:

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby InTheWings » 24 Apr 2018 09:58

File has invalid AC3 mapping in ISOBMFF.
A standard mapping exists for AC3 in mp4, but obviously someone (NextPVR?) decided again to do his own crap.

Provide sample.
:!: If you want your problem to be solved :
* First read troubleshooting guide VSG:Main
* Always provide verbose LOGS ! (command line or from gui)
* Always check your issue against a developer build from Nightly Build of VLC
* Tell us when your problem is solved !

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 24 Apr 2018 19:29

Where would I upload a sample?
Is there a fix using ffmpeg for this since I am already converting from .ts to .mp4

User avatar
InTheWings
Developer
Developer
Posts: 1275
Joined: 07 Aug 2013 13:15
VLC version: crashing
Operating System: Linux
Contact:

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby InTheWings » 24 Apr 2018 19:37

Where would I upload a sample?
Is there a fix using ffmpeg for this since I am already converting from .ts to .mp4
Anywhere

you mean that's produced by ffmpeg ? dubious
:!: If you want your problem to be solved :
* First read troubleshooting guide VSG:Main
* Always provide verbose LOGS ! (command line or from gui)
* Always check your issue against a developer build from Nightly Build of VLC
* Tell us when your problem is solved !

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 26 Apr 2018 19:04


virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 26 Apr 2018 19:06

Note that it is not the same file since it was 8GB. But I found a smaller one 50MB that gives the same error message.

Yes, this is an output from ffmpeg. I have posted the parameters above.

Note that I just tried an original .ts file and the sound plays fine using VLC.

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 21 May 2018 17:07

Any updates on this issue?
I have uploaded the file a while ago.

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 16 Jun 2018 13:58

Where would I upload a sample?
Is there a fix using ffmpeg for this since I am already converting from .ts to .mp4
Anywhere

you mean that's produced by ffmpeg ? dubious
I have uploaded a new sample here:
http://www.filedropper.com/nightgallery ... adeaddruid

User avatar
InTheWings
Developer
Developer
Posts: 1275
Joined: 07 Aug 2013 13:15
VLC version: crashing
Operating System: Linux
Contact:

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby InTheWings » 17 Jun 2018 17:15

I have uploaded a new sample here:
http://www.filedropper.com/nightgallery ... adeaddruid
What's the ffmpeg version ? current ffmpeg can't produce that kind of broken sample entry.
:!: If you want your problem to be solved :
* First read troubleshooting guide VSG:Main
* Always provide verbose LOGS ! (command line or from gui)
* Always check your issue against a developer build from Nightly Build of VLC
* Tell us when your problem is solved !

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 18 Jun 2018 13:37

I have uploaded a new sample here:
http://www.filedropper.com/nightgallery ... adeaddruid
What's the ffmpeg version ? current ffmpeg can't produce that kind of broken sample entry.
The version I am using is:
ffmpeg-3.4.2-win64-static

User avatar
InTheWings
Developer
Developer
Posts: 1275
Joined: 07 Aug 2013 13:15
VLC version: crashing
Operating System: Linux
Contact:

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby InTheWings » 18 Jun 2018 17:49

:!: If you want your problem to be solved :
* First read troubleshooting guide VSG:Main
* Always provide verbose LOGS ! (command line or from gui)
* Always check your issue against a developer build from Nightly Build of VLC
* Tell us when your problem is solved !

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 18 Jun 2018 18:26

I am hoping this is not a case sensitive check. The error I am getting is upper case "AC-3".

What is strange is that Windows Media Player plays it fine so the audio stream is probably ok.

virtualpaul
Blank Cone
Blank Cone
Posts: 13
Joined: 28 Mar 2018 15:46

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby virtualpaul » 23 Jun 2018 01:36

So what would be the next step?

tlum
New Cone
New Cone
Posts: 1
Joined: 19 Aug 2018 22:56

Re: "AC-3" codec not supported?

Postby tlum » 19 Aug 2018 23:01

It seems to be a metadata issue. Add

Code: Select all

-atag ac-3
to the ffmpeg command line.


Return to “VLC media player for Windows Troubleshooting”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 29 guests