output source number of channels

[squeedle]

How can I set things up so VLC outputs the source number of channels automatically?

If I go to Windows "Speaker Setup" and select Stereo, VLC (or Windows?) outputs *everything* as Stereo.

If I go to Windows "Speaker Setup" and select 7.1, VLC (or Windows?) outputs *everything* as 7.1.

My main media app is JRiver, which can automatically output the source number of channels, perhaps by bypassing Windows mixer. But I haven't figured out how to get VLC to do the same.

Sorry of this is dumb. Thanks for any help you can offer!

[tguillem]

The audio output on Windows (mmdevice with wasapi) will always adapt to the System channel configuration, examples:

If you configure Windows for 7.1:
- Stereo content will be upmixed to 7.1 internally via some audio filters
- 7.1 content will play without any modification

If you configure Windows for Stereo
- 7.1 will be downmixed internally via some audio filters
- Stereo content will play without any modification

There is currently no way to change this behavior on Windows. I know that some systems/OS behave differently: VLC always output the original content and the system/OS is taking care of upmixing/downmixing.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

VLC always proposed the source channel layout. If the OS insists on a different one, it obeys for lack of alternative.

It should work fine if you are using some kind of virtual audio output device that doesn't have a fixed layout, though I admit to never having tried. For a real physical device, well, Windows will impose the selected layout, which makes sense.

[squeedle]

Thanks for clarifying this is a Windows issue. I find it very irritating. For stereo sources, I want my Receiver to do the upmixing or other processing as I decide, not Windows. Guess I am stuck with only JRiver for this functionality. Thanks guys!