Windows 10: Microsoft drops AC-3 (Dolby Digital) Codec support in Windows 11 version 24H2

GHacks · May 29, 2024

Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system will not support the Ac-3 codec by default going forward. In a somewhat surprising and sneaky move, Microsoft announced the end of support on a support page.

There, Microsoft writes that "beginning with Windows 11, version 24H2, the AC-3 codec is no longer included with Windows". The removal of the code means that users may not play media content that relies on the codec on their devices using built-in players or some external players.

Microsoft does note that device manufacturers pre-install the AC-3 codec on their devices often. If that is the case, AC-3 support is available on these devices. The support page offers no explanation on the removal.

Third-party media players such as VLC Media Player support AC-3 out of the box. They do not rely on codecs integrated in Windows for playback. Integrated media players, such as Windows Media Player and Windows Media Player Legacy, only play media formats if codes are installed on the system.

Tip: you can check if your favorite media player supports AC3 by downloading a sample file from this website. Try to launch the audio file in the media player to see if it supports it.

Windows Media Player and Windows Media Player Legacy should play the file as well, provided that the installed version of Windows is not 24H2.

Note: it is unclear if the codec remains installed for users who upgrade from older versions of Windows 11 to the new release.

How to add system-wide support for AC-3 in Windows 11 version 24H2

If you use a media player that relies on codes installed on the system, and does not come with its own pack of binary codecs, then you may install the missing AC-3 codec on the Windows 11 version 24H2 system to add support for it.

One of the best options is to install LAVFilters. It is an open source project that allows Windows users "to play virtually any format in a DirectShow player".

Download the latest "installer.exe" version from the official project site at GitHub.

Run the downloaded file to install the filters and add support for playing AC-3 files and many other formats.

Keep the installation directory, or change it, and click on Next.

Keep everything checked under "Select Components". You may also add H.264 MVC 3D Decoder, but this needs to be checked manually.

Select Next.

Select Next again when asked to pick a Start Menu folder, or check the "Don't create a Start Menu folder" box to prevent the creation.

Click Next.

Click Next again.

Keep all supported formats checked and click Next.

Select install finally to start the installation.

You may open the configurations of the filters after installation, but this is not required for functionality.

All Windows media players and other apps that rely on Windows-functionality to play media should now support AC-3 again.

Are you affected by the change? Which media player is your favorite on Windows?

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft drops AC-3 (Dolby Digital) Codec support in Windows 11 version 24H2 appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

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Brink · May 29, 2024

Announcing Dolby Audio for high performance audio in Microsoft Edge

Web browser media experiences have advanced significantly in recent years, from the first releases of HTML5 media, through the subsequent additions of Media Source Extensions for adaptive streaming and Encrypted Media Extensions for content protection. And formats have been similarly advanced by the development of MPEG DASH and Common Encryption (CENC). These important specifications offered the potential for interoperable, plug-in free web video. We referred to the resulting experience as Professional Quality Video when we first shipped support for these specs in Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 8.1.

Advancement in media experiences continues in Windows 10 and Microsoft Edge. Today, we are announcing that Microsoft Edge includes HTML5, MSE and EME support for a new audio format: Dolby Audio™. It allows websites to match the compelling visuals of H.264 video with equally compelling multi-channel audio. It works well with AVC/H.264 video and also with our previously announced HLS and MPEG DASH Type 1 streaming features, which both support integrated playback of an HLS or DASH manifest.

High Performance Media Experiences
We added Dolby Audio to Microsoft Edge so that web apps and sites can deliver the richest and most compelling media experiences with Windows 10. In particular, we wanted Microsoft Edge to support the most demanding requirements from media websites. Supporting Dolby Audio fits with this goal.

Dolby Audio
Dolby Audio supports the multi-channel Dolby Digital Plus™ audio format that provides crisp, clear audio in a broad range of channel configurations. Microsoft Edge is the first browser to include support for Dolby Digital Plus. Websites will now be able to selectively support Dolby Audio as a premium sound experience, and use HTML5, MSE and EME capability checks to fall back to other supported formats on browsers other than Microsoft Edge.

Windows 10 includes support for the Dolby Digital Plus Portable Mode, which is a dynamic range control setting that is optimized for playback over built-in speakers and headphones. Dolby content will play back louder and clearer with a dynamic range more appropriate for portable devices. This improves the experience from Windows 8 where content could occasionally render softly over built-in speakers and headphones, and the advantages will apply equally to websites running in Microsoft Edge.

Dolby Audio is compatible with current DASH (MP4) and HLS (M2TS) file formats, and so can be included with progressive download HTML5 content, adaptive streaming HLS or MSE/EME MP4 content.

Usage Guidance
There are two adaptive streaming approaches for websites to take advantage of these new formats:

Use either DASH Type 1 streaming (where the DASH manifest (.mpd) or HLS manifest (.m3u8) is set as the src for an HTML 5 media element). Using our DASH Type 1 implementation, it’s important to use the DASH live profile with MPD Type=”static”.

Build a custom adaptive streaming solution using MSE APIs directly. This is more work, but provides the most control over streaming details.

Both the DASH Type 1 and full custom MSE approaches may be combined with Encrypted Media Extensions apply DRM protection. In Microsoft Edge, this would require supporting PlayReady DRM.

Capabilities
Dolby Audio offers superior performance, but isn’t currently supported by other browsers. Websites that use it should feature detect on the format and be prepared to stream alternative audio formats on systems that don’t support Dolby Audio. Javascript examples to check for format support are listed below.

For HTML5:

Dolby EC-3: test = myvideo.canPlayType(‘audio/mp4; codecs=”ec-3″‘);

Dolby AC-3: test = myvideo.canPlayType(‘audio/mp4; codecs=”ac-3″‘);

264(AVC1): test = myvideo.canPlayType(‘video/mp4; codecs=”avc1.42E01E”‘);

264(AVC3): test = myvideo.canPlayType(‘video/mp4; codecs=”avc3”’);

For MSE:

Dolby EC-3: test = MediaSource.isTypeSupported (‘audio/mp4; codecs=”ec-3″‘);

Dolby AC-3: test = MediaSource.isTypeSupported (‘audio/mp4; codecs=”ac-3″‘);

264(AVC1): test = MediaSource.isTypeSupported (‘video/mp4; codecs=”avc1.42E01E”‘);

264(AVC3): test = MediaSource.isTypeSupported (‘video/mp4; codecs=”avc3″‘);

For EME:

Dolby EC-3: test = MSMediaKeys.isTypeSupported (‘com.microsoft.playready’, ‘audio/mp4; codecs=”ec-3″‘);

Dolby AC-3: test = MSMediaKeys.isTypeSupported (‘com.microsoft.playready’, ‘audio/mp4; codecs=”ac-3″‘);

264(AVC1): test = MSMediaKeys.isTypeSupported (‘com.microsoft.playready’, ‘video/mp4; codecs=”avc1.42E01E”‘);

264(AVC3): test = MSMediaKeys.isTypeSupported (‘com.microsoft.playready’, ‘video/mp4; codecs=”avc3″‘);

Dolby Audio Experience Demo
Dolby has created a Dolby Audio Experience demo using WebGL to provide an interactive environment where users can explore and play content on a variety of media devices (a media PC, desktop, laptop and tablet). Each device demonstrates Dolby Audio with a different streaming video, either MPEG DASH H.264 or HLS. The demo currently requires Microsoft Edge, since it is the first browser to include native support for Dolby Audio.

Conclusion
The addition of Dolby Audio to Microsoft Edge is intended to open new opportunities for website media experiences. It is supported only in Microsoft Edge now, but fallback strategies are possible that allow sites to provide the highest quality media experience when supported.

We look forward to your feedback, and hope to see websites using Dolby Audio soon!

– Jerry Smith, Senior Program Manager, Microsoft Edge
Click to expand...

Source: http://blogs.windows.com/msedgedev/2...icrosoft-edge/

dvojinov · May 29, 2024

Unlocked Realtek HD Audio Drivers Windows 7 & 8 (With Dolby Digital Live and DTS Interactive)

how did you get both 5.1 on windows audio and realtek? my windows audio only show dolby digita, no DTS, realtek show DTS and DDL 5.1. I want 5.1 in both windows audio and realtek. any suggestions?
Click to expand...

do you have asus board ? did you care to check my page ?

gigabyte z68xp-ud4 with realtek HD audio alc889 via spdif optical
Click to expand...

all right I checkd your specifications your mobo and audio setup is :

Realtek ALC889 codec

High Definition Audio

2/4/5.1/7.1-channel

Support for Dolby® Home Theater

Support for S/PDIF Out

That doesn't necessary mean Dolby Digital Live ..if by any chance you have Dolby Digital Live and want to go with it you should use your manufacturers drives , however if this DHT is one of the Software solutions DAX 1 , 2 or whatever and you dont have DOlby Digital Live 5.1 surround to select that means only native DOLBY and DTS are sported as pass-through once such contest is detected but you wont gain all time 5.1 as you miss Dolby Digital LIve or DTS Interactive (gaming , music videos that are not Dolby or DTS ) in this case check my page :

http://dvojinov.simplesite.com/

read the instructions carefully EXPLORE THE PAGE and follow them step by step and it may be that you end up with full DTS Interactive and Dolby Digital Live on your board , as it is GIABYTE you have great chances ..ASUS unfortunately has issues with DTS interactive ongoing more then 6 months now and I start to believe that ASUS lost DTS Interactive licence and is drooped out of the game or they have issue that they are not aware off .

felipaopl · May 29, 2024

Unlocked Realtek HD Audio Drivers Windows 7 & 8 (With Dolby Digital Live and DTS Interactive)

I just installed W10 build 10547. Unfortunately, I still can't choose DTS interactive, saying the device does not support it. My Asus P8z77-v motherboard is supposed to have it supported, so something is definitely still not fixed.
(Optical to panasonic dolby digital / dts receiver) realtek driver 6.0.1.7535
Click to expand...

Wait, but have you done the whole step-by-step guide described in the OP? DDL/DTS isn't supported natively by Windows 8/8.1 either, unless if you do the steps listed there.

Windows 10: Microsoft drops AC-3 (Dolby Digital) Codec support in Windows 11 version 24H2

Microsoft drops AC-3 (Dolby Digital) Codec support in Windows 11 version 24H2

Microsoft drops AC-3 (Dolby Digital) Codec support in Windows 11 version 24H2

Microsoft drops AC-3 (Dolby Digital) Codec support in Windows 11 version 24H2

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