Chromecast not passing AC3 audio OUT via HDMI Splitter

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

What steps will reproduce the problem?
1.Connect a HDMI splitter with Coax or Optical (Toslink) OUT from the 
Chromecast to an AC3 5.1 capable receiver e.g. (e.g. J-Tech Digital HDMI 
Splitter with Toslink OUT)
2. Cast an MKV or MP4 file via Plex Media Server to the Chromecast (changes to 
the Plex Chromecast.xml file may be necessary to enable AC3 pass-through per 
this thread 
https://forums.plex.tv/index.php/topic/121442-ac3-pass-through-has-arrived/)
3.

What is the expected output? What do you see instead?
Expect AC3 5.1 Pass-through. Instead see video but no audio.

What version of the product are you using? On what operating system?
Current Chromecast Firmware V22062.  Plex server housed on Windows 7 PC 
transmitting to the Chromecast over WiFi 11n using DD-WRT Router firmware on a 
Netgear WNDR3700. 

Please provide any additional information below.
Other players substituted for the Chromecast in precisely the same 
configuration (e.g. WDTV Live) pass-through AC3 5.1 perfectly.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by correzp...@gmail.com on 15 Dec 2014 at 1:19

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

[Obviously the MKV or MP4 being cast must have native AC3 5.1 audio]

Original comment by correzp...@gmail.com on 15 Dec 2014 at 1:22

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Kindly contact Plex about the issue since the receiver app need to pass through 
the audio to chromecast.

Original comment by na...@google.com on 18 Dec 2014 at 6:03

Changed state: Duplicate

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

I don't think this is a Plex issue, since the same effect is for Localcast. In 
the past, before AC3 support was added from the Chromecast team, Localcast 
would would not output audio when the file was AC3, only silence. This made 
perfect sense at the time. After the Chromecast AC3 firmware update, and to the 
best of my speculation, Localcast did NOTHING on their end. Then, my test file 
had AC3 audio working on my audio receiver. There was no more audio silence, 
yet nothing was updated in the "receiver app".

Also, you say Plex needs to update their reciver app, but most everyone else 
can get AC3 working except for some of these HDMI splitters.

I would argue that, yes, Plex DOES need to update. The update however is within 
the server software to allow for an AC3 profile that direct plays and does not 
transcode AC3 into AAC.

So when you say the receiver app needs to be updated, I don't think that's the 
issue. I think the issue is that the Chromcast perhaps through HDMI 
handshaking, outputs AC3 differently then 99% of the gear which supports AC3.

Is the splitter in question not conforming to HDMI? Is the HDMI splitter not 
conforming to "AC3 passthough", because "AC3" support and "AC3 passthough" are 
technically different beasts? Does Chromecast adheres to some odd ball "AC3 
passthrough" handshake that 99% of the retail market makes no distinction? It 
seems like the issue most people are having is some HDMI splitters don't work 
with AC3 encoded files and all their other gear works fine with the same files.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to put it all out there.

Original comment by ch...@cotehome.com on 18 Dec 2014 at 7:45

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Is this something you are experiencing with only Plex? If you do not use 
splitter, does everything work?

Original comment by anad...@google.com on 22 Dec 2014 at 6:14

Changed state: NeedInfo

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Please provide the required information if you are still facing the issue.

Original comment by na...@google.com on 29 Dec 2014 at 11:52

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

I have put in a request for more feedback from users with HDMI/AC3 issues on 
the Plex forums.

Original comment by ch...@cotehome.com on 30 Dec 2014 at 12:30

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

This isn't a Plex issue; it is a Chromecast issue. Plex can pass-through AC3 to 
the WDTV Live that in turn can pass-through AC3 via the HDMI Splitter. When a 
Chromecast is substituted for the WDTV Live in the same configuration it does 
not pass-through AC3 to the splitter, even though it is receiving AC3 from 
Plex. In this configuration no audio is passed from the Chromecast to the HDMI 
splitter.

Original comment by correzp...@gmail.com on 30 Dec 2014 at 4:37

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

What model HDMI Splitter do you have?

Original comment by ch...@cotehome.com on 30 Dec 2014 at 11:34

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Per my original post the HDMI Splitter is a J-Tech Digital.The link to the 
product page & model number is here 
http://www.jtechdigital.com/audio-accessories/j-tech-digital-premium-quality-hdm
i-to-hdmi-audio-spdif-rca-stereo-audio-extractor-converter.html

Original comment by correzp...@gmail.com on 31 Dec 2014 at 12:27

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

http://www.amazon.com/J-Tech-Digital-Premium-Extractor-Converter/dp/B00BIQER0E

I did notice that DD+ is NOT supported, but clearly this is issue effects just 
AC3.

Original comment by ch...@cotehome.com on 31 Dec 2014 at 1:25

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

I have the same issue : When Plex Media Server sends video with AC3 to 
Chromecast :  no sound.
Chromecast is plugged on a splitter input, HDMI output goes to TV, SPDIF goes 
to the speaker system.

My splitter : http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B00IMGW8XQ
My speaker system : 
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Z-5450-Digital-Speaker-970181-0403/dp/B000AM6QHO

Original comment by ncoc...@gmail.com on 31 Dec 2014 at 3:00

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Casting a MP4 file with AC3 sound track via LocalCast app, have the same issue.

Original comment by ncoc...@gmail.com on 2 Jan 2015 at 10:48

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

This is an AC3 issue. I don't see where myself or anyone else has referenced DD+

Original comment by correzp...@gmail.com on 5 Jan 2015 at 11:06

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Having the same issue's here with Plex or with Localcast. No sound with video's 
with AC3 audio.

Splitter: 
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/HDMI-Audio-Extractor-mit-HDMI-Bypass-/361180345643?pt=DE_
Computing_Monitor_AV_Kabel_Adapter&hash=item541806b52b
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V357

Original comment by erik.tro...@gmail.com on 11 Jan 2015 at 2:20

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

[deleted comment]

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Same issue here. 

Plex is sending ac3 to chromecast:
[Transcoder]     Stream #0:1: Audio: ac3 ([0] [0][0] / 0x2000), 48000 Hz, 5.1, 
fltp, 640 kb/s

Receiver gets no audio.

Splitter device = http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KLU8DWQ/

Original comment by gavin.co...@gmail.com on 12 Jan 2015 at 2:19

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Original comment by na...@google.com on 13 Jan 2015 at 7:26

Changed state: Acknowledged

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Okay, https://code.google.com/p/google-cast-sdk/issues/detail?id=192#c174

"Audio pass-through is now enabled by the Media Player Library for E-AC-3 
(EC-3, Dolby® Digital Plus™ audio technology)."

My Chromecast now reboots with Localcast and Plex when I play an AC3 file. 
Passthrough doesn't need to be this complicated.

Original comment by ch...@cotehome.com on 5 Feb 2015 at 1:40

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

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

Most of my movies contain two audio tracks: An MP3 stereo track and an AC3 
multichannel version.

When the Chromecast is connected to a TV without AC3 capability, the MP3 audio 
track of my movies is automatically selected and the movie plays fine.

When I want to play a movie containing an AC3 audio track on a TV which allows 
AC3 passthrough, I can circumvent the problem with the following procedure:

1. Disconnect CC from TV
2. Reboot CC
3. Start up the movie
4. Plug CC into the TV again (while the movie is playing)
5. Now the movie plays on the TV with the alternative (MP3) audio track.

Original comment by ken.tho...@gmail.com on 20 Feb 2015 at 11:17

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Same here. Had AC3 working with plex before the latest fw update. Now, when 
casting the MKV with AC3 sound the film freeze on the first frame, and in a few 
seconds the CC reboot. Repeatable every time. If I change to the AAC 2-channel 
audio track it plays fine. Seem to be a clear issue with the latest firmware, 
as others are reporting the exact same behaviour after the latest update.

/E

Original comment by thomas.e...@gmail.com on 20 Feb 2015 at 9:44

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Same issue here.
Chromecast is updated to latest firmware.
When I send AC3, the CC freezes and reboots.
When I send a stereo signal, the CC works properly.

Can we please get a resolution? This makes the CC useable for movies.

Original comment by salt...@gmail.com on 21 Feb 2015 at 1:02

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Please submit a feedback report and make sure to prefix it with the issue 
number.
Here's the link on how to: 
https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3187017?hl=en

Original comment by na...@google.com on 23 Feb 2015 at 7:31

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Same problem here. All videos encoded with ac3 crash after 1 second since 
firmware update 26653. Using bubbleupnp off a goflex NAS. Everything used to 
work perfectly before this firmware update,

Original comment by tthfl...@gmail.com on 23 Feb 2015 at 11:43

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Same problem here, using Synology DS Video.
All videos crash after 1 second and CC reboot.
This worked fine until firmware 26653.
Glenn

Original comment by gl...@laenen.net on 24 Feb 2015 at 9:32

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

I have this issue as well sending any video with ac3 audio to my chromecast.
It was broken after a firmware update and I tried with castnow and bubbleupnp, 
I have to force re-encoding of the audio to get it to work properly.

Original comment by Vek...@gmail.com on 28 Feb 2015 at 3:33

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

[deleted comment]

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

I originated this thread and have never been able to get AC5.1 passthrough to 
work when my Chromecast is connected to a HDMI Digital Splitter. Originally the 
video would play but there would be no audio (as most other users have 
reported). 

However since upgrading the Chromecast firmware to 27946 I also find that the 
Chromecast completely freezes and reboots if I have the Chromecast.xml file 
installed in Plex which many uses have claimed in previous CC versions will 
successfully pass AC5.1 directly from Plex to the CC to digital receivers. 

In other words the problem has gotten much worse with Chromecast firmware 
upgrades not better.

Original comment by correzp...@gmail.com on 12 Mar 2015 at 1:14

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

[deleted comment]

GoogleCodeExporter commented 9 years ago

Incidentally there is a more recent thread Issue 510: 'Chromecast freezes and 
reboots when trying to pass through an AC3 audio track' which appears to now 
affect all users attempting to pass-through AC3 audio (i.e users with & without 
HDMI digital splitter). If you are experiencing this problem, suggest that you 
also add your vote (star) on Issue 510.

Original comment by Garry.Ch...@gmail.com on 15 Mar 2015 at 4:16

oralodabas / google-cast-sdk

Chromecast not passing AC3 audio OUT via HDMI Splitter #452