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I have a Logitech Z-5500 5.1 speakerset connected via optical S/PDIF to my onboard Realtek ALC880 HD Audio soundcard.

When I play a movie with AC3 audio and select 'Audio > Audio Device > A/52 over S/PDIF' the audio track begins to stutter/skipping.

Selecting the 'Win32 WaveOut extension output' audio output module does not resolve this problem on both Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista RTM.

I am using the most recent drivers for my soundcard.

Anybody?

vlc-0.8.6-test2a has the same problem as vlc-0.8.6-rc1.

Does 0.8.5 pose the issue for you??

I just tested it; 0.8.4, 0.8.4a and 0.8.5 have the same problem.

0.8.2 works fine.

With all post-0.8.2 releases the sound is slightly less distorted if I enable 'Win32 WaveOut extension output' audio output.

Starting with 0.8.4 the DirectX module was rebuilt to be more compatible with DirectX 9c and it was recommended at that time by Microsoft that you update audio and video drivers. It's also smart to keep current with DirectX runtime. There are timing issues with S/PDIF and DirectX and we recommend shutting it off by using the older method of addressing the audio card "Win32 wavOut extension output", but all digital video is follow audio for sync. If the video is not being controlled properly or the audio is not providing this control there will be problems.

Starting with 0.8.4 the DirectX module was rebuilt to be more compatible with DirectX 9c and it was recommended at that time by Microsoft that you update audio and video drivers.

Using the latest drivers on both platforms

It's also smart to keep current with DirectX runtime.

On XP I installed the DirectX 9.0c October 2006 end-user redistributable, Vista uses DirectX 10

There are timing issues with S/PDIF and DirectX

Other apps don't seem to have timing issues...

and we recommend shutting it off by using the older method of addressing the audio card "Win32 wavOut extension output",

AC3 streams are only slightly less distorted if I enable 'Win32 WaveOut extension output' audio output

but all digital video is follow audio for sync. If the video is not being controlled properly or the audio is not providing this control there will be problems.

VLC is controlling the audio/video, or am I wrong?

Other apps don't seem to have timing issues...

This is because many other programs link the two functions without you knowing about it.

On XP I installed the DirectX 9.0c October 2006 end-user redistributable, Vista uses DirectX 10

I have no idea how Vista will react and DirectX 10 is not available for XP.

VLC is controlling the audio/video, or am I wrong?

VLC selects (internally) a sync function. The aouts, vouts and drivers do the rest. Please remember S/PIDF is a pass through to your audio card.

So this isn't going to be fixed (not on any to-do list)?

This is all I could find on S/PDIF

http://trac.videolan.org/vlc/ticket/174

Please note the date and nature of the problem.

'Bugs paradize', that doesn't sound good... Thanks for the help though.

That's what you get when a project is without seasoned windows developers.

Am having the same problem using optical output on my Asus A8N-E motherboard connect to my sony receiver. I will try the wave out fix see if that works later on tonight, hope it does. Will let you guys know how i get on.

However, after installing the final version vlc-0.8.6-win32.exe, AC3 Sound ist still broken via S/PDIF.

Using the libaout_directx_plugin.dll from version 0.8.2 works fine. But that can't be the final solution . . .

Where do I find the waveoutfix?

kr
RoRa

Hi,

i have the same problem: stuttering AC3 files.
WinXP SP2, VLC 0.8.6.

I then installed the old VLC 0.8.2 in another directory and copied its libaout_directx_plugin.dll to the 0.8.6s plugin directory.
THANX RoRa!!!!!

Now it works as it should.

I hope this gets fixed in the default installation files as it will affect a lot of people.

CU
Markus

You CAN'T trade library versions in VLC. The results can and will cause very unexpected results. The issue seems to be your audio card as the last time this module was rebuilt was for 0.8.4 and DirectX 9c.

You CAN'T trade library versions in VLC.

I thought this way, thats why I am trying to find a clean solution. I tested it with DirectX 9.0c, SoundMax Digital Audio (onboard) and Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS with the newest available drivers. No way to get it running with the current "libaout_directx_plugin.dll".

But now, I found another solution. I just forget the (default) DirectX Output and use the "Win32 waveOut extension output".

Preferences > Audio > Output modules > Advanced options > Audio output module

Now I have 5.1 via S/PDIF working fine, without trading any library versions and I'm going to watch the DVD "Terminator IV - Killing DirectX" now.

kr
RoRa

I am using a Realtek 882D Chipset.
No Soundmax.
So it doesnt seem to be entirely soundcard related since we both have different soundcards but the same problem

And btw: Nero ShowTime works fine...

CU
Markus

You CAN'T trade library versions in VLC.

I thought this way, thats why I am trying to find a clean solution. I tested it with DirectX 9.0c, SoundMax Digital Audio (onboard) and Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS with the newest available drivers. No way to get it running with the current "libaout_directx_plugin.dll".

But now, I found another solution. I just forget the (default) DirectX Output and use the "Win32 waveOut extension output".

Preferences > Audio > Output modules > Advanced options > Audio output module

Now I have 5.1 via S/PDIF working fine, without trading any library versions and I'm going to watch the DVD "Terminator IV - Killing DirectX" now.

kr
RoRa

This is how it worked in 0.8.5 too! Most pros will agree there are timing issues using DirectX and S/PDIF.

Most pros will agree there are timing issues using DirectX and S/PDIF.

Why is DirectX set as the default audio output module then? Anyway, maybe it should change automatically when selecting S/PDIF or at least a tooltip should appear.

Because S/PDIF is not the default and it works fine then. Many programs link the two functions VLC does not.

Hi,

i have the same problem: stuttering AC3 files.
WinXP SP2, VLC 0.8.6.

I then installed the old VLC 0.8.2 in another directory and copied its libaout_directx_plugin.dll to the 0.8.6s plugin directory.
THANX RoRa!!!!!

Now it works as it should.

I hope this gets fixed in the default installation files as it will affect a lot of people.

CU
Markus

That's it! Cool~ Thanks!!