Surround mapping for LPCM audio

[efaden]

Hello . . . I have an odd problem and searching the forum hasn't shown a clear solution.

I have a mac mini (late 2014 running 10.11.6) outputting HDMI to a Marantz N1506 receiver. Midi output goes to the Marantz 48000 Hz, 8ch - 24bit integer. Speakers are mapped L,R,C,LFE,Ls,Rs. I'm running VLC 3.0.3

Surround plays flawlessly in VLC except for Quicktime files with linear PCM surround. These files are mapped to the wrong channels (center channel plays out of left surround for instance). The same QT files, however, play correctly in the Quicktime player with channels mapped to the correct speakers.

VLC plays Quicktime files with other surround formats (such as AAC) correctly. I've tried troubleshooting a number of preferences but can't seem to find the right solution.

Any ideas/advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

So, only LPCM files are incorrect?

Then share this file to us.

[ckvlc]

My surround mapping is wrong as well, though it is for mpeg AAC codecs. I verified correct channel assignment in Audio MIDI Setup. I am running a Late 2013 MacBook Pro, OS 10.13.6. VLC version is current with version 3.0.4.

Similarly to others in previous threads, my center channel is playing through the left rear surround. Front and Right are playing correctly, I believe, but I am unsure of the other channels.

The particular file I am playing contains the following channels: 3F2M2R/LFE

Dolby Digital and DTS Encoded audio plays correctly.

I have attempted to address the problem through the various preference panes, including changing the output module but I have been unsuccessful. Output module is currently set to "Automatic" with media type "Video".

I found several threads about this problem but they are mostly very dated and seem to have been addressed through updates.

[InTheWings]

provide sample file

[BoingBall]

this is a very very old know problem of vlc. You have to configure your Mac in Audio/Midi-Setup as 5.1. If you configure it as 7.1 vlc does it wrong

[Smutje.Hannes]

I have the same problem.

File can be downloaded at https://www.demolandia.net/downloads.php?id=27781967
Same file on windows VLC plays perfectly.


Please fix this issue.

Thanks,
Hannes

[potscrubber]

moved my post to the correct windows forum.
https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=149757

[h9k]

Hi,
I have this issue where VLC sends the centre channel out the left surround.
My VLC version is 3.0.8
File plays correctly in Chrome Version 78.0.3904.108 (Official Build) (64-bit)
The test file is from https://www2.iis.fraunhofer.de/AAC/multichannel.html the "HE-AAC Bitstream:" first link.
My Mac mini is running MacOS 10.15.1

Any ideas?

I don't know where the "Audio/Midi-Setup" setting is.

Useful suggestions greatly appreciated.

[dcolacino]

I too am having no luck playing 5.1 surround sound through VLC 3.0.8, even though it plays correctly through QuickTime Player. MIDI setup is correctly set for 5.1 playing through my Denon receiver. I have seen postings elsewhere on the web that in addition to "File" and "auhal" there should be a "DirectX" or "Dolby Digital" Output Module in the detailed preferences pane, but neither one of those is listed.

Just before hitting "Submit," I (irrationally) flipped back over to VLC to try playing it one more time and it worked. I hadn't closed the player; I didn't change anything since I did all the tests; I just tried the same thing again.

After submitting this post, I closed VLC down and tried again, and got nothing but white noise. Same thing with every file I try to play. I re-booted. Still nothing but white noise. What's happening?

[Optamizm]

I also have this problem. I tried to use the remap feature, which also didn't work. I have submitted two bug reports, hopefully it can be fixed in a timely manner.

[grahamat]

Exactly the same for me too.
I have to resort to plying surround movies or TV programmes in mono which is pants!
No matter what I try I either end up with mismatches speaker assignments or no audio at all!
This issue seems to have been going on for absolutely ages. I appreciate that the software is free and apart from this problem it is fantastic but if it worked in 7.1 then it would be faultless.

[cwtim]

Searching for the answer for way way too long. Encoded 5.1 signals not an issue but when playback higher than 5.1 channel material it plays back center on left back.
But I have found a solution/workaround for MacOS Surround 8channel surround sound output. (I use this in combination with a USB-C HDMI converter to Denon amplifier.

Step1.
Go to Mac Audio/midi settings and make a new aggregated device, call 7.1 surround remap.

Step2.
Select the 8 channel output device your Denon (DENON-AVAMP) connected amplifier.

Step3.
Click the configure loudspeakers.

Step4.
Configuration: Set to 7.1 back surround.

Step 5.
Configure the output mapping as follow:


L = 1
R = 2
C = 5
LFE = 6
SL = 7
SR = 8
SLR = 3
SRR = 4

Now choose the VLC output to be the new aggregated "7.1 surround remap" output.
When playing back 7.1 or Atmos material the channels will be mapped correctly now!
*When playback in QT or other apps still wrong remap but it is working for VLC.

Test file:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/f8hmfga3g2jizia/8_Channel_ID.wav/file

[pilotguy13]

Same issue. Center either missing totally or plays in rear channel. Mac Sierra and 3.0.8 Its totally random. Sometimes it sorts itself out after a few restarts, or toggle between HDMI and HDMI encoded.

[LRander]

I have got this problem too, except I'm on Linux Mint and the center channel is playng through the right rear channel...

Everything plays flawlessly and correct...