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More => Old Versions => Media Center 12 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: TWhite on May 16, 2008, 10:38:36 pm

Title: M4a Apple Lossless files played in zone 2 mix with zone 1 tunes
Post by: TWhite on May 16, 2008, 10:38:36 pm

I've set up MC12 on my laptop to preview tunes in zone 2 with headphones while playing live DJ tunes in zone 1.  Everything works as configured when I preview mp3, wav, or FLAC files in zone 2.  However, as soon as I play a m4a Apple Lossless file in zone 2 the audio mixes with whatever is playing in zone 1.  Unfortunately, 90% of my tunes were imported from iTunes in Apple Lossless format.

Has anyone run into this problem and is there a solution?

Title: Re: M4a Apple Lossless files played in zone 2 mix with zone 1 tunes
Post by: bspachman on May 16, 2008, 11:06:35 pm

I suspect it's an interaction with the fact that MC uses the QuickTime engine by default to play certain filetypes popularized by Apple (notably m4a, m4p, and Apple Lossless).

I have avoided many problems by installing DirectShow filters for m4a files and configuring MC to use those filters.

I believe there are filters out there for AppleLossless.... You could give that a whirl and see if it helps.

The DRMed files (m4p) can only be played back via QuickTime, so if you are having trouble with those, I would expect your trouble to continue. :(

Just kickin' around some ideas...
brad

Title: Re: M4a Apple Lossless files played in zone 2 mix with zone 1 tunes
Post by: TWhite on May 17, 2008, 01:19:59 pm

Success!  ;D Thanks Brad for pointing me in the right direction.  I can now play Apple Lossless ALAC files through the speakers in zone 1 and preview Apple Lossless files through headphones in zone 2.

Solution:
1.  Install CCCP which includes FFDSHOW and Haali Media Splitter  http://www.cccp-project.net/
2.  Install DC-Bass Source Filter DirectShow filter  http://www.dsp-worx.de/index.php?n=15
3.  Configured each zone separately:  Tools --> Options --> Playback-->Video-->Direct Show Playback Settings -- select all Apple files (AAC, m4a, etc. to bypass the QuickTime Player).  Don't check DRM mp4 files as these may only play through QuickTime (I don't have any mp4 files on MC-12 so I didn't check this).  Go to Filters and on the left hand side select Haali Media Splitter, on right side select ffdshow Audio Decoder.  Click ok.  On Direct Show Playback Settings under Audio Renderer, select sound card for each separate zone (configure separately in zone 1 and zone 2).  Reboot.

Suggest reading Wiki article:  MP4 and M4A File Support http://wiki.jrmediacenter.com/index.php/MP4_and_M4A_File_Support   I found it to be very helpful.