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More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 31 for Windows => Topic started by: Hendrik on June 01, 2023, 10:49:19 am

Title: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: Hendrik on June 01, 2023, 10:49:19 am
Description
In Media Center 31 for Windows, we made it possible to bitstream compressed audio formats from audio-only files, including Dolby Atmos music.

This should work for the usual bitstreaming codecs, AC3 & E-AC3, DTS (including HD versions), and TrueHD - as well as Atmos extensions for TrueHD and E-AC3.

Instructions
You can enable bitstreaming in the Settings, under Audio -> Settings -> Bitstreaming, and either select a preset for how your audio receiver is hooked up, or enable individual codecs in the Custom section.

More
Another Atmos thread: https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,135911.0.html
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming for audio-only files, including Dolby Atmos
Post by: jmone on June 01, 2023, 04:59:57 pm
Invididual Codec selection for object based audio like ATMOS / DTS-X would be great to add.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming for audio-only files, including Dolby Atmos
Post by: mlknez on June 01, 2023, 05:12:41 pm
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming for audio-only files, including Dolby Atmos
Post by: mlknez on June 05, 2023, 07:41:37 pm
Will you ever bitstream NATIVE DSD or only DoP?
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming for audio-only files, including Dolby Atmos
Post by: dtc on June 05, 2023, 09:13:24 pm
Will you ever bitstream NATIVE DSD or only DoP?

Native DSD can already be bitstreamed. It is an option in Audio. It requires a ASIO driver.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming for audio-only files, including Dolby Atmos
Post by: Awesome Donkey on June 06, 2023, 03:52:22 am
Yeah, Media Center has supported native DSD via bitstreaming for years now on both Windows and Linux. As mentioned by dtc it requires a DAC that supports native DSD on Windows and it requires a ASIO driver from the manufacturer. On Linux it requires support in the Linux kernel for your DAC.

macOS only supports DoP (except there is a few DACs with either a custom ASIO driver for macOS or it has a special app feature to 'convert' DoP to native DSD) though.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming for audio-only files, including Dolby Atmos
Post by: mlknez on June 06, 2023, 09:51:25 am
I should have been more clear... I meant native bitstreamed over HDMI.  I can do it just fine over USB/ASIO.  Currently, the only DSD bitstream choice over HDMI is DoP.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming for audio-only files, including Dolby Atmos
Post by: dtc on June 06, 2023, 10:35:34 am
Native DSD cannot be sent over HDMI on a PC because their is no support for that format in the current implementations of HDMI on PCs.  It is part of the HDMI spec, but the graphics companies have just not implemented it.  It is a long-time problem and it is doubtful it will change. It is just not a priority for the companies making the cards.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: Awesome Donkey on June 06, 2023, 11:51:44 am
Yeah, DSD via HDMI from any sort of computer is likely not ever happening unfortunately. I don't see Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Apple, etc. adding support for it in their GPU drivers, like ever.

And it isn't a Media Center limitation and there's no way support for it can be added via any media player. It'd literally have to be supported by the GPU manufacturers in their drivers and honestly at this point hell likely has a better chance at freezing over. Or Nvidia supporting 3D again, heh. Anyways, DSD over HDMI only works with SACD disc players connected via HDMI to receivers, for example.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: JrPinto on June 08, 2023, 11:58:05 am
GREAT NEWS, Hendrik!

I'm doing some tests using MKA audios files with ATMOS and MC plays them nicely.

But there's one thing that could be improved: gapless audio albums, like Dark Side of the Moon, by Pink Floyd.

I ripped individuals MKA files from the BD, but JRiver plays them with a little gap between each track.

I tried ripping it to a single MKA file. The file plays gapless and I can skip the tracks of the album (YEAH!!!), But MC library shows only a single file, not each track separately.

So, I made a .CUE file from the single MKA, imported it and the tracks were shown seperately in the library (DOUBLE YEAHS!!). Unfortunatelly, MC goes "crazy" when the tracks are skipped, jumping to about 5 seconds after the beggining of the track.

Is there anything that could be done to solve this?

Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: Manmcg on June 10, 2023, 09:56:50 am
Any likelihood that this will come to Mac Media Center 31 ?

M
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: JimH on June 10, 2023, 10:22:00 am
Probably not.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: TheShoe on July 10, 2023, 03:01:34 pm
GREAT NEWS, Hendrik!

I'm doing some tests using MKA audios files with ATMOS and MC plays them nicely.

But there's one thing that could be improved: gapless audio albums, like Dark Side of the Moon, by Pink Floyd.

I ripped individuals MKA files from the BD, but JRiver plays them with a little gap between each track.

I tried ripping it to a single MKA file. The file plays gapless and I can skip the tracks of the album (YEAH!!!), But MC library shows only a single file, not each track separately.

So, I made a .CUE file from the single MKA, imported it and the tracks were shown seperately in the library (DOUBLE YEAHS!!). Unfortunatelly, MC goes "crazy" when the tracks are skipped, jumping to about 5 seconds after the beggining of the track.

Is there anything that could be done to solve this?

i just ripped John Williams Live in Vienna Atmos from my backup to individual MKAs for each track.  So far the bitstreaming is working fine, however I had a suspicion gapless would be an issue.  Time to try DSOtM.

might particles be an option here instead of a cue sheet?  I experimented with particles in the past from MKVs and even full backups, but the gaps made a lot of my music unusable.   Not sure if anything has changed here so will experiment.


EDIT:

Particles don't work either.  Near the end of one particle it starts to play back the next in the list causing about 5s of loss of the current track being played.

EDIT 2:

CUE file produces the same results.


Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: aydin on July 21, 2023, 02:03:25 am
Probably not.

Because?

Also is it possible (on JRiver Windows) to convert DTS, TrueHD and MKV Surround files to WAV/AIFF files?

I want to import them into professional applications that only support WAV/AIFF.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: jmone on July 21, 2023, 04:07:50 am
Because?

It's built on a set of Windows Libraries (LAV Filters).

Quote
Also is it possible (on JRiver Windows) to convert DTS, TrueHD and MKV Surround files to WAV/AIFF files?

Sure - see the attached screen shot of what is supported for converting audio from Video Files to standalone audio. 
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: maid on August 01, 2023, 09:13:28 pm
I am confused about this part
Instructions
You can enable bitstreaming in the Settings, under Audio -> Settings -> Bitstreaming, and either select a preset for how your audio receiver is hooked up, or enable individual codecs in the Custom section.

Can someone help explain this to me
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: leperlord on September 19, 2023, 01:32:45 am
Great infos here

Cheers
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: salvadordalisdad on November 12, 2023, 12:57:21 pm
Hi Guys,

Big fan of MCxx, started with MC22 through to MC27 then stopped upgrading cos it worked!

Please excuse ignorance, but "they" keep moving the goalposts so it's a sanity-check if anything.
I have read this thread, but I feel I'm missing some steps, so...

Can someone explain-like-I'm-five how to get Dolby Atmos out of a PC running MC31 ?

Physical layout:
PC -> HDMI -> Yamaha (atmos capable receiver)->  speakers

Source = MKV or MKA (from BluRay disc) or an original BluRay disc with Atmos (eg Dark Side of The Moon 50th BluRay)

So - assuming the above are valid - please advise if I'm wrong - now all I need are the JRiver MC31 settings...

[Also - MC31 can run in win8 / win10 can't it - not Win11 specific ? - and it will use the MC27 library ok won't it?)]

AND - at least as importantly - how do I know if it's working & I'm listening to the Atmos version?

Thanks in advance.
TTFN
;-)
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: rec head on November 12, 2023, 01:22:58 pm
First a question; do you have an Atmos speaker layout? The AVR should tell you if it is getting Atmos.

The first step in getting Atmos is having MC set to bitstream via HDMI. I haven't tried audio only files so I can't speak to that.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: salvadordalisdad on November 13, 2023, 05:18:32 am
I do have an Atmos layout, however, the "AVR" doesn't show what decoder it's using on the display.
Whilst I understand that Atmos is radically different to other streams and could/would/should be identifiable, there's no way to actually see that outside of the systems

A little display icon on the front panel would be very helpful, but there isn't one. Not buying a new amp. ;-)

That's the point of the question, "how do I send Atmos content to it" when I currently have MC27 which doesn't support Atmos.

I want to make sure I understand this MC31 upgrade will do it & I know that it will work with my content...and how to set it up, seems fair I thought.

-- How can I send Atmos to it ?

-- How can I tell if it's Atmos ?
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: EnglishTiger on November 13, 2023, 06:15:01 am
-- How can I send Atmos to it ?
-- How can I tell if it's Atmos ?

To send Atmos to the Avr it has to be connected to the PC running MC using an HDMI 2.0, or 2.1, cable.
About the only way I know of ensuring the Atmos Stream is being played is to Rip the Optical Disc to a MKV File and then use MKVToolNix to extract and convert the "Atmos Stream" to a MKA file.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: tzr916 on November 13, 2023, 07:57:18 am
That's the point of the question, "how do I send Atmos content to it" when I currently have MC27 which doesn't support Atmos.

I want to make sure I understand this MC31 upgrade will do it & I know that it will work with my content...and how to set it up, seems fair I thought.
I don't rip blurays, but I have been playing Atmos, DTSMA, and TrueHD VIDEO trailers on MC for years. So, pretty sure any version of MC supports Atmos for VIDEO files using Bitstreaming in MC. The only thing that was added recently was AUDIO only Atmos files.

As far as upgrading, there may be more reasons to do so than you think... for MC27 and older "Core functionality will work, but cover art and CD lookup will fail":
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/topic,136204.0.html

What brand and model is your AVR? Does it have a mobile app or web GUI where you can check input/output formats?
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: rec head on November 13, 2023, 08:04:27 am
Like I said and English Tiger expanded on you have to set MC to bitstream and be connected via HDMI. Then play an Atmos track or movie.

Sorry, I have only had Denon AVRs and my currnet HTP-1 and they show the input format, I didn't realize there were receivers that didn't have displays or GUIs. The only way I can think of to confirm the AVR is receiving Atmos is to make sure that all of the upmixing is turned off on the Yamaha and listen to see if the height channels are playing. There are lists of good Atmos mixes to find content.
Title: Re: NEW: Bitstreaming Audio-only Files, Including Dolby Atmos
Post by: EnglishTiger on November 13, 2023, 08:43:53 am
I don't own or use an AVR - but I do have a Dolby Atmos Equipped Samsung harman/karman 7.1.4 Soundbar connected to my PC which lets me know if and when MC is feeding it a Track with an Atmos Stream.