The VideoLAN Forums

VLC Player 2.4.1 gives this error when trying to play video with AC3 audio:

VLC could not decode the format "a52" (A52 Audio (aka AC3)

Is this something that is expected or is it a bug?

I am having the same issue, I remember before I had to change my timezone to canada to make it work, but even that doesnt work now.

hmm, there was a post before mine, that said this was probably a bug, but it looks like that post was removed. is this a bug or expected behavior?

Regrettably, this is the expected behavior in this release of VLC for iOS.

Regrettably, this is the expected behavior in this release of VLC for iOS.

Thanks for the reply. Last version we could change timezone to Canada and it would work, but that doesnt work anymore. Will it ever work or will AC3 always be incompatible with VLC?

Might be a matter of $$ or licensing. AC3 is a format from Dolby Digital, using it on iOS isn't free or something ?

Regrettably, this is the expected behavior in this release of VLC for iOS.

Will this be fixed in future versions?

Yes.

Yes.

excellent news! thank you.

Jean-Baptiste... sorry but... I can't believe that. Are you telling me that, after months without the application, you're going to re-release the app without AC3 (one of the most popular audios) when you're going to fix it soon? What about the negative impact of reviews and similar?

Complain to Apple and Dolby.

Next time, buy Android.

I cant believe people are complaining about a free app. These devs dont owe us anything.

Jean Baptiste - I do have a question....

If dolby and apple were the reason we dont have AC3 and you say it will be resolved in future release, why would apple and dolby relent for future release, if they held things up this time?

Thanks.

Of course if the program is free they dont owe us anything, but I think I can have my own oppinion.

In Jean Baptiste tell me that the program will be AC3 compatible in the future, I can think that its better to wait and offer a full features VLC. And of course he can think Im wrong.

And Jean Baptiste, if the law does not allowed you to decode AC3 is nos the Apple or Dolby fault. Maybe in android you can be illegal, so then dont program for Apple

I cant believe people are complaining about a free app. These devs dont owe us anything.

Jean Baptiste - I do have a question....

If dolby and apple were the reason we dont have AC3 and you say it will be resolved in future release, why would apple and dolby relent for future release, if they held things up this time?

Thanks.

Because patents expire

So then its a problem about legal patents, not about dolby or apple... a problem about make thinks well and legally:)

Is it possible to restore the older version of VLC? I have the ipa for 2.3.0

Is it possible to restore the older version of VLC? I have the ipa for 2.3.0

It is possible if you still keep an old version (e.g. 2.3.0) of VLC in iTunes.

Steps:

- backup movies if needed
- delete VLC app from iPhone
- connect iPhone to iTunes via USB cable
- in iTunes, click iPhone icon > click Apps on left side bar > click Install next to VLC
- sync

Good luck!

I cant believe people are complaining about a free app. These devs dont owe us anything.

Jean Baptiste - I do have a question....

If dolby and apple were the reason we dont have AC3 and you say it will be resolved in future release, why would apple and dolby relent for future release, if they held things up this time?

Thanks.

Because patents expire

any idea on a time frame of when these patents expire?

forgive my ignorance on this topic, but why is it an issue on ios, but not for vlc on my PC which i also use?

I cant believe people are complaining about a free app. These devs dont owe us anything.

Jean Baptiste - I do have a question....

If dolby and apple were the reason we dont have AC3 and you say it will be resolved in future release, why would apple and dolby relent for future release, if they held things up this time?

Thanks.

Because patents expire

From my personal research I found that Dolby has several patents that relate to AC3 and the expiration dates for those in the US seems to be in 2017?!

Complain to Apple and Dolby.

Next time, buy Android.

That piece of --please stay polite-- OS? I don't think so. I'd rather do without VLC, especially now that there are excellent alternatives, than put up with that turd. Or your nazi "my way or the highway" attitude. It's a real shame that this nice project ended up in the hands of such an --please stay polite--.

Complain to Apple and Dolby.

Next time, buy Android.

That piece of --please stay polite-- OS? I don't think so. I'd rather do without VLC, especially now that there are excellent alternatives, than put up with that turd. Or your nazi "my way or the highway" attitude. It's a real shame that this nice project ended up in the hands of such an --please stay polite--.

I couldn't agree more and have had the same thoughts the past few weeks since 2.4.1 supposedly was to be released. Many people have asked about the AC3 capabilites but have only been met with one word answers and arrogance. But then again, he is french and has to live up to the stereotype

Complain to Apple and Dolby.

Next time, buy Android.

That piece of --please stay polite-- OS? I don't think so. I'd rather do without VLC, especially now that there are excellent alternatives, than put up with that turd. Or your nazi "my way or the highway" attitude. It's a real shame that this nice project ended up in the hands of such an --please stay polite--.

The easier way to answer him is: "Next time, program only for Android". Can't understand this attitude.

Is it possible to restore the older version of VLC? I have the ipa for 2.3.0

It certainly is if you have iMazing. I had to resort to that, and it worked like a charm. I highly recommend it. Now I'm back in business, and will patiently wait until then.

Complain to Apple and Dolby.

Next time, buy Android.

That piece of --please stay polite-- OS? I don't think so. I'd rather do without VLC, especially now that there are excellent alternatives, than put up with that turd. Or your nazi "my way or the highway" attitude. It's a real shame that this nice project ended up in the hands of such an --please stay polite--.

I'm no Android fan, but perhaps you may want to take a pause. Granted, Jean-Baptiste might want to perhaps consider being a little more polite as well.

Again, complain to dolby and apple. This is not our fault at all.