Chromecast freezes and reboots when trying to pass through an AC3 audio track.

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What steps will reproduce the problem?
1. Connect Chromecast to TV or Amplifier which supports passthrough of AC3
2. Play video file with AC3 audio track on Chromecast 

What is the expected output? What do you see instead?
- Expected normal play of video file and passthrough of AC3 audio track.
- Instead, the video freezes (enters a buffering state) after 4-5 secs of play. 
A short time after, the CC reboots. No audio is ever passed through, as no 
sound is ever heard in the beginning.

What version of the product are you using? On what operating system?
- Chromecast firmware 26653

Please provide any additional information below.
- Passthrough of AC3 used to work on an earlier firmware version.
- The Chromecast is apparently trying to auto-select the audio track, as the CC 
can be "tricked" into using an alternative (non-AC3) audio track by starting 
the video file on the CC while it is disconnected from a TV. Once the video 
file is playing, the CC can be connected to the TV and the movie plays (using 
the non-AC3 audio) without any problem.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by ken.tho...@gmail.com on 24 Feb 2015 at 11:22

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Could you attach or link to the file that you're attempting to play, or a short 
sample of it?

Original comment by gun...@google.com on 24 Feb 2015 at 5:27

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Here is a short sample (30 secs) of a movie with two audio tracks, AC3 and MP3.

Original comment by ken.tho...@gmail.com on 24 Feb 2015 at 6:29

Attachments:

• sample.mkv

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This file plays fine for me with AC3 pass-through to AVR receiver. I've tested 
on Lexx device with 1.12 build 27946 connected to Harman Kardon AVR 1610. 
Played the file from my Nexus 10 with Andoid Lollipop via AllCast app. No 
issues observed, audio sounds fine to me. I'll try on build 26653 shortly.

Original comment by serv...@google.com on 24 Feb 2015 at 7:33

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Just tried playing on Chromecast firmware build 26653 - same thing, no issues 
observed here.

Original comment by serv...@google.com on 24 Feb 2015 at 7:40

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Interestingly when I tried everything the same but on Eureka device (Chromecast 
v1 hardware), I could reproduce the issue (on build 26653) - the device 
rebooted and there was no sound. I'll send this to hardware folks to take a 
look.

Original comment by serv...@google.com on 24 Feb 2015 at 7:51

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I experience the same issue after my cc updated to 26653.
And I can't use the workaround because I need to connect my cc and select the 
correct hdmi channel of my Sony Bravia or I get "out of range" on my tv.
http://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/comments/2ozo2r/out_of_range_error_on_sony_br
avia_tv/

Any other solution available?

Original comment by gl...@laenen.net on 10 Mar 2015 at 12:45

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Also in firmware 27946

See 
https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/121442-ac3-pass-through-has-arrived/page-
6 for more comments

Original comment by achrisma...@gmail.com on 15 Mar 2015 at 9:10

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Until 26653 I had AC3/DD5.1 in Plex Media Server via a small alteration in the 
Chromecast config file. After 26653 Chrome cast freezes at playback start 
(MKV), and reboots, and I had to remove the change in config-file in order to 
playback.

Please give us AC3-pass through back, and... maybe also DTS.

If there is a commercial reason for lacking DTS, perhaps make a small app, 
which users could decide to install (and pay for)?!

Original comment by claus...@gmail.com on 15 Mar 2015 at 6:27

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I experience the same issue.

Looking at comment #5 - how can a normal user identify the hardware revision of 
the Chromecast device?

Original comment by audiorap...@gmail.com on 15 Mar 2015 at 7:23

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This can also be reproduced using the file posted in comment #2 and using the 
Videostream extension in the Chrome browser.
In the Videostream settings for audio, choose the AC3 audio profile. PCM and 
default (stereo) work just fine.
"Buffering..." appears on the screen and after a while (10-30 seconds) the 
Chromecast reboots.

Original comment by audiorap...@gmail.com on 15 Mar 2015 at 11:09

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Still the same issue in firmware 27946.
My CC is still completely useless.

Original comment by gl...@laenen.net on 16 Mar 2015 at 9:31

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I also have this problem.  Crashes and reboot on ac3 videos after 3 seconds of 
video playing in silence. This occurs on videos that used to work. 

Original comment by owengrif...@gmail.com on 16 Mar 2015 at 3:47

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Issue 529 has been merged into this issue.

Original comment by jonathan...@google.com on 16 Mar 2015 at 4:06

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Original comment by jonathan...@google.com on 16 Mar 2015 at 5:31

• Changed state: Accepted

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same issue with AC3
Moreover, a real passthrough to tv which can downmix dd+ to dd isn't possible 

Original comment by bdannero...@gmail.com on 17 Mar 2015 at 9:56

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Same issue here, since 26653.  After a few seconds of silent playback, the 
video freezes and the chromecast reboots.

Original comment by tim.j.fo...@gmail.com on 24 Mar 2015 at 9:29

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Issue 547 has been merged into this issue.

Original comment by na...@google.com on 25 Mar 2015 at 2:43

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When resolving this, it'd be great if the Chromecast had the option to pass 
through all audio formats - DTS, DTSHD, Truehd, etc.  I just need the 
Chromecast to bitstream the audio track to the receiver and let the receiver 
decode.

Original comment by lukemorr...@gmail.com on 25 Mar 2015 at 2:29

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AC3 has never worked at all for me. Prior to the recent FW updates, I would 
have no audio if the file contained AC3 audio only. More recently, Chromecast 
reboots when starting playback.

Files are MKV container containing h264 video, AC3 audio, vobsub (idx/sub) 
subtitle and chapter. Chromecast connects to Yamaha RX-V661 AVR then to 
Panasonic plasma.

At one stage I also had a stereo downmix stream of the AC3 in Ogg-Vorbis format 
within the MKV. I have now batch removed this stream leaving just the AC3.

These same files playback without issue via Patroit Box Office (like a WD Live) 
to same AVR HDMI input. They play fine also on Android devices such as Nexus 7 
(2012), Nexus 4, Moto G etc using MX Player and custom codec with control via 
Bubble UPnP Client.

I have now purchased and setup an Intel NUC with BubbleUPnP Server so that I 
can transcode the AC3 to MPCM on playback. Several hundred $$$ somewhat 
unnecessary expense so that I can get audio.

I have what could be an original Chromecast purchased when initially available 
on Australian market. AC3 has never work under any circumstances.

Original comment by andrew.p...@gmail.com on 26 Mar 2015 at 3:13

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Same issue here with firmware 27946 using Plex to direct stream video with AC3 
into a Denon AVR1610 receiver capable of DD, DD+, DTS, etc.  My Roku handles 
the stream just fine.

Original comment by scottple...@gmail.com on 28 Mar 2015 at 10:26

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Chromecast needs AC3 passthrough badly. C'mon Google!

Original comment by kart...@gmail.com on 3 Apr 2015 at 12:54

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Same thing here :(

Original comment by forcada....@gmail.com on 9 Apr 2015 at 9:00

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Please fix this!

Original comment by a.corb...@gmail.com on 10 Apr 2015 at 3:05

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[deleted comment]

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Still not working :-(

Original comment by Goossen...@gmail.com on 21 Apr 2015 at 6:41

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This is just annoying. Google, get your shit together! 

Original comment by vadda.sc...@gmail.com on 21 Apr 2015 at 7:46

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I think I know what's my problem, i have a tv with no surround support sony 
bravia hd-ready 10 years old, it has one hdmi input, i use a hdmi-splitter to 
sp/dif and now also tried the chromecast. I think because my tv isn't ac3, dts 
and whatever compatible chromecast will set itself to stereo only. The wierd 
thing is that my splitter has the setting to 5.1, stereo or pass thr. and that 
makes no different. I think if i use cc on a tv (or amplifier with hdmi) 
surround abil. it should work.

Original comment by Goossen...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 8:28

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if i use hdmi output on my laptop in the same configuration, I get stereo only 
too. Now the problem is to trick cc to set 5.1 even if the tv doesn't support 
it ( use with hdmi splitter to amplifier sp/dif )

Original comment by Goossen...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 8:31

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if i use the same laptop with external soundcard with sp/dif i get surround all 
formats

Original comment by Goossen...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 8:33

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All due respect but you are describing a different issue.    What you are 
describing is forcing the CC to output 5.1 for local file playback which was 
previously semi-solved.  See 
https://code.google.com/p/google-cast-sdk/issues/detail?id=452.  In the past, 
it was possible to force the CC to output 5.1 through a TV or splitter, for 
instance by adding a modified chromecast.xml file to an application like plex, 
which forced Plex to output AC3 or DTS without transcoding to AAC.  This would 
allow 5.1 audio for those applications.

The issue here is that on the most recent firmware, once you force the CC to 
output 5.1, doing so crashes the CC.  My understanding is that the output of 
5.1 audio passthrough for Netflix is unaffected by this issue.  Can anyone 
confirm that?

Original comment by a.corb...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 8:50

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nowp i know that, tried that, doesn't work

Original comment by Goossen...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 9:15

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i going to test it again, maybe i did something wrong, witch directory in win7 
64bit

Original comment by Goossen...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 9:21

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srry witch directory in win7 64bit chromecast.xml ? because there are more then 
one

Original comment by Goossen...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 9:25

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huh, i searched again, srry only C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media 
Server\Resources\Profiles is that correct ?

Original comment by Goossen...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 9:29

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huh, i searched again, srry only C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media 
Server\Resources\Profiles is that correct ?

Original comment by Goossen...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 9:29

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I can confirm netflix 5.1 still works. But Netflix is using DD+ so not the same 
as AC3.

Original comment by thomas.e...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2015 at 9:44

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With the reference to Google Representative's post #5 in this thread I decided 
to give it a try and test it myself.
I have two Chromecasts now. One I received as a X-mas gift in 2013 and second 
one i bought just 2 days ago. The latest one has printed manufactured date 
January 2015. 
I use Plex server with modified Chromecast.xml file.
My observations were same as stated in post #5. After attempting to cast movie 
with DD and pass-through enabled, the old Chromecast crashed and restarted 
shortly after, while the newer one took the movie and successfully casted it 
with no issues. My AVR detected Dolby Digital signal.
Google, please fix this.
There must be a difference between these two hardware units.

Original comment by mac...@gmail.com on 24 Apr 2015 at 2:25

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Can we get this covered under warranty since this effects certain models of 
Chromecasts?

Original comment by ch...@cotehome.com on 3 May 2015 at 12:50

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+1 to the warranty comment. This has never worked for me and its clear now why 
with the multiple versions. Please fix or setup some kind of process to allow 
old revision to be exchanged or something.

Original comment by andrew.p...@gmail.com on 4 May 2015 at 5:00

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Is this resolved in the upcoming firmware? 

https://code.google.com/p/google-cast-sdk/issues/detail?id=452#c30

Original comment by a.corb...@gmail.com on 13 May 2015 at 10:17

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This does fix the crashing for me and now I can play AC3 files on Eureka v1 
Chromecast hardware with build 31432 from issues 452.

Original comment by ch...@cotehome.com on 13 May 2015 at 11:14

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Build 31432 fixed the issue for me too. Thanks Google.

Original comment by mac...@gmail.com on 16 May 2015 at 6:18

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Unfortunately the new firmware didn't fix the issue for me.  I'm getting video 
but no audio on files using AC3. :(

Original comment by gamble...@gmail.com on 16 May 2015 at 10:15

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The new build also fixed the crashing issue for me :)

Referring to post #43: 
It sounds like the crashing issue has also been fixed for you, but your TV or 
AVR is not capable of decoding the AC3 signal?

Original comment by ken.tho...@gmail.com on 17 May 2015 at 5:07

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I have my chromecast connected directly to my Onkyo SR606 AVR.  As far as I 
know, it has the ability to pass through Dolby Digital, but for whatever reason 
any file with an AC3 track that I throw at it won't output any sound.

Original comment by gamble...@gmail.com on 17 May 2015 at 6:17

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The latest firmware version 31432 on gen 1 of Chromecast appears to have 
re-mediated the Dolby Digtial passthru crashing issue. 

Original comment by shing...@gmail.com on 18 May 2015 at 8:37

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@#45

You need to modify the chromecast.xml file as such:

<VideoProfile protocol="http" container="matroska" codec="h264" 
audioCodec="aac,ac3" context="streaming">
& (under "DirectPlayProfiles")
<VideoProfile container="mp4" codec="h264" audioCodec="aac,ac3" />

Original comment by shing...@gmail.com on 18 May 2015 at 10:43

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@47 I'm not using Plex unfortunately...I'm streaming through a Synology NAS via 
their DS Video app.  I'm not aware of any way to make adjustments to it via XML.

Original comment by gamble...@gmail.com on 19 May 2015 at 4:29

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Given my Chromecast is useless until I can at least test 31432, is there some 
way to force an update rather than waiting for what could be weeks? I don't 
know, maybe I can supply the devices MAC address or some other applicable ID so 
it can be flagged for immediate update?

Original comment by andrew.p...@gmail.com on 22 May 2015 at 9:11

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Firmware version 31432 came in overnight and it FINALLY works to the Yamaha AVR 
with original gen Chromecast. Casting from NAS with MKV container with x264 and 
AC3. Playback control is via BubbleUPnP client. I have uninstalled BubbleUPnP 
server from the NUC as it is no longer needed as no files require transcode 
now. Thanks.

Original comment by andrew.p...@gmail.com on 23 May 2015 at 5:33