Changed channel assignment in 5.1 files since VLC update

[danji99]

Hi everybody,

I found a strange thing with VLC that took me some time on a gig with lots of stress. I'm using VLC for the playback of 5.1 surround audio files for supporting my band when playing live. I'm using 5.1 because I need more than just 2 channels playing simultaneously. When creating these files in Cubase there is a fixed assignment of the channels:

* Stereo Playbacks go to Surround L/R
* Metronome 1 to Center
* Metronome 2 to Subwoofer
* L/R ("normal") channels are not used (=empty)

On Mac OS's Audio/MIDI configuration I'm routing surround L/R to output channels 3/4 of my audio device and the metronomes to outputs 5 and 6. Everything worked fine until I updated to 10.9 Mavericks and VLC 2.1.x. I did these updates unfortunately on the same day so I can't tell if it's a Mac OS or a VLC issue or a combination. See below why I believe it's a VLC thing.

I found out that the routing of surround and center/subwoofer have been inverted. I hear the surround channels on outputs 5/6 and not on 3/4 any more. Center/woofer is on 3/4 instead and not on 5/6 any more. I checked my setup a couple of times, updated everything to the latest versions (Mac OS, the control panel of my audio device, VLC) and re-checked again.

I'm now using VLC 2.0.7 and VLC 2.1.2 in parallel, and finally I can say: Audio file played in VLC 2.0.7, works like it should. Same file played in VLC 2.1.2 (and 2.1.1 as well), channels are inverted. While changing VLC versions I don't change any settings on my audio device or on Mac OS, of course.

My setup is:
* MacBook 13,3", Mid 2013
* MacOS 10.9.1 (latest version, but the problem also occurred on 10.9.0)
* Focusrite Saffire Pro24 6-channel output audio interface (Firewire)
* latest Focusrite MixControl Software (3.3)
* VLC 2.0.7 and 2.1.2

Anyone else who can confirm this?

Thanks a lot in advance!
Daniel

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

There is already a bugreport on this.

[danji99]

Thanks Jean-Baptiste,

I looked through the open VLC tickets now and found the bug has already been reported.
If anyone needs further input or investigation on this, please let me know.

Daniel

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Add logs to the ticket, pelase.

[dfuhrmann]

Hi,

I might have found the issue for your problem, but as I do not have a proper testing device, I want to ask if you could test this build: https://www.dropbox.com/s/otemq85otkt88 ... g-test.zip

I would be glad if you can report back if its working with this build. If not, a new log would be helpful.

Thanks.

[diegowacker]

Hi danji, are you still using this set up? I'm trying to do the same thing... Play video with 6 polywav ... Any suggetion? Thanks