I have figured out a working solution. Pretty simple, should work with most setups.
Open your favorite text editor, or notepad, if you don't have one, and paste this
Code: Select all
c:
cd "\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\"
start /b vlc.exe --directx-audio-speaker=5.1 %1
Edit the path to match your vlc path, save it as vlc51.cmd
Use 'Default Programs' go under 'Associate...' and associate .mkv (and other HD files you play) with the vlc51.cmd
Double click an .mkv file to play and verify it is already playing '5.1' under Audio>Audio Device>5.1
Drink a beer to celebrate. Thank me later
This will remove VLC right-click context menus. You will no longer be able to right click .mkv and 'Add to VLC playlist', BUT, you can still drag and drop mkv files onto vlc playlist, AND they all play 5.1, no switching for each file anymore!
This is a hack. A quick/temp fix. Now, go bug VLC developers to fix this bug in the program. It should use 5.1 by default when stream present.