Problem with Dolby Digital via SPDIF on EPIA-MII 12000

[chris_hubball]

I can't get VLC to output the AC3 stream over SPDIF when playing back either any DVD or .vob file. I believe I've got all the right settings as the Audio menu defaults to SPDIF on start, but my amp doesn't detect a Dolby Digital stream. If I select Stereo from the Audio menu, the amp locks onto the SPDIF stream and plays it correctly, however its only stereo and not the full Dolby Digital experience!

Interestingly, without changing any drivers or kernel settings, I loaded Ogle to play the same DVD and it automatically starting outputing Dolby Digital to my amp. I don't want to use Ogle as it's not such a complete player as VLC.

VLC 0.8.2
Linux 2.4.30 (OSS support compiled into kernel)
VIA EPIA-MII 12000 board.
viaudiocombo driver (from viaembedded.com installed with spdif_out=1)

Thanks,
Chris.