Support AC3 Passthrough Audio

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What steps will reproduce the problem?
1. Try to cast an MKV with AC3 audio

What is the expected output? What do you see instead?
expected: I can hear the audio
actual: No audio is output

What version of the product are you using? On what operating system?
The latest; Linux

Please provide any additional information below.

The Chromecast has the support for AC3 passthrough, the Netflix app clearly 
takes advantage of it, but the Chrome process running on the Chromecast seems 
incapable of doing so.

A "bug" in my mind, but since it's not listed on the Supported Codecs, I'm 
assuming this is an Enhancements.

Thanks for considering.

Original issue reported on code.google.com by cole.mickens on 7 Mar 2014 at 11:54

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We do not have any immediate plans for this.

Original comment by anad...@google.com on 8 Mar 2014 at 8:32

• Changed state: WontFix

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This is needed ac3 and dts passthrough if want to be in the tv room.

Original comment by wtama...@gmail.com on 12 Mar 2014 at 10:41

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this is a joke, most media i have has ac3 or DTS, Chromecast needs to support 
this asap

Original comment by bazz...@gmail.com on 17 Mar 2014 at 10:44

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I would assume that passthrough audio would not require a license. Which is 
exactly how Netflix works. I think Google didn't want to deal with a TV not 
supporting DTS or another codec. As a Tier 1 caster, Netflix was in the drivers 
seat, but could programmatically and with certainty control the audio streams 
for a seamless and proper user experience.  I don't think Google wanted to 
muddy the waters and have passthrough since it could provide for an 
inconsistent user experience. Obviously that would not be the case with most 
HDMI receivers. I am just playing devil's advocate here. I went ahead and batch 
converted all my media from AC3/DTS to AAC as a second audio track. Plex does 
this automatically, but I want to avoid transcoding on Plex and have all media 
play directly.

Original comment by ch...@cotehome.com on 17 Mar 2014 at 11:09

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How can you create a device to watch video in the living room and assume no 
surround sound will be required? The main goal of chromecast seems to be to 
enjoy watching video on a tv. Sound is an important part of all video. Please 
reconsider adding support for surround sound. 

Original comment by ahwneli...@gmail.com on 3 Apr 2014 at 6:02

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Missing this as well. Please reconsider fixing this.

Original comment by peter...@gmail.com on 3 Apr 2014 at 7:52

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To bad... This is the only function i miss for the chromecast. I would suggest 
to increase the price of the device with 5 dollars to support/licence this.

Original comment by dur...@gmail.com on 4 Apr 2014 at 9:47

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Are you serious ?????
No ac3 support or passthrough on a "Multimedia" Device ???
You are joking ......
That´s a nogo....

Original comment by wannhast...@gmail.com on 5 Apr 2014 at 3:10

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Guys, at least enable passthrough auf AC3 and DTS!
This is a joke!
I really hate myself for not looking into the specs before I bought it just 
because at least AC3-support was a now-brainer for me!

Original comment by vadda.sc...@gmail.com on 5 Apr 2014 at 6:26

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HE-ACC multichannel is supported. Currently there is no plan to support AC3.

Original comment by anad...@google.com on 5 Apr 2014 at 6:43

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AC3 and DTS Support please ... 

Original comment by andy.hue...@gmail.com on 5 Apr 2014 at 7:20

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Google doesn't need to support AC3 or DTS. Google needs to provide access and 
control to the raw audio streams (api call) and let developers write the code 
for it. No licenses. No decoding.

Original comment by ch...@cotehome.com on 5 Apr 2014 at 7:35

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Deny this is ridículo. Ac3 and dts.

Original comment by wtama...@gmail.com on 11 Apr 2014 at 1:49

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Good luck with this one. At least, AAC 5.1 works fine.

Original comment by pujos.mi...@gmail.com on 11 Apr 2014 at 10:45

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I'm extremely disappointed that AC3 and DTS streams are not passed through to 
5.1 amps. It's what I would expect as a standard feature for a living room 
video device.

What is the reasoning for not doing this? It does not need a license to decode 
as you are passing it through. Seriously please add this!! You will sell more :)

Original comment by david.ja...@gmail.com on 15 Apr 2014 at 2:26

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No ac3 planned?
If so I will return my chromecast. 

This is really a nogo

Original comment by D.Sple...@gmail.com on 18 Apr 2014 at 6:57

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It seems that is somehting related on client-side. Using Videostream chrome
app I have been able to play different mkv with ac3 audio with no problems.

2014-04-18 20:57 GMT+02:00 <google-cast-sdk@googlecode.com>:

Original comment by rsallar on 18 Apr 2014 at 7:32

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It seems that is somehting related on client-side. Using Videostream chrome app 
I have been able to play different mkv with ac3 audio with no problems.

Original comment by rsallar on 18 Apr 2014 at 7:33

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The Videostream app recodes the video and audio on-the-fly. That is the reason 
why AC3 is working. 
But you will need a powerful server to do this. In my opinion that's no good 
solution. 

Original comment by D.Sple...@gmail.com on 19 Apr 2014 at 7:18

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Our audio video receivers supports dts and ac3, so we do not need transcode, we 
need passtrougt. Remenver there are limited hdmi inputs and a lot devices 
waiting to be in the cinema room, CC is a great device but missing ac3 and dts 
will be for a  short time then will be archived.

Original comment by wtama...@gmail.com on 19 Apr 2014 at 12:34

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Need ac3 please

Original comment by yilmazgu...@gmail.com on 19 Apr 2014 at 5:03

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yes please..passthru should not have any lic. issues.  As it stands Plex has to 
transcode the stream which taxes the media server.

Original comment by rsama...@gmail.com on 20 Apr 2014 at 2:58

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AC3, DTS support. Please

Original comment by diego.ar...@gmail.com on 22 Apr 2014 at 10:25

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We need Audio Passthrough!!
otherwise we will continue to see our movies (mkv ...)  with other Players that 
support for many years, this simple functionality.
ThKS

Original comment by kitto7...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2014 at 9:15

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I have no use for device without AC3/DTS support.
So hard to understand why there is no support ...

Original comment by Hannu.K....@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2014 at 6:56

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Please support ac3 and dts!

Original comment by shank...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2014 at 8:17

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This is horrible. I'm not sure I would have bought my Chromecast had I known 
this.
The reason for buying a chromecast was that i wanted to be able to play mkv 
movies directly from my NAS-server.

I'm so disappointed

Original comment by jc.thr...@gmail.com on 23 Apr 2014 at 10:09

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Very bad decision.

Original comment by GaryWal...@gmail.com on 24 Apr 2014 at 10:30

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chromecast don't support DTS passtrough??
Is a joke??

Original comment by alessio....@gmail.com on 26 Apr 2014 at 11:54

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+1 for DTS and AC3 passthrough....can't see the problem with it or difficulty 
in implementing.

Original comment by owengrif...@gmail.com on 29 Apr 2014 at 12:07

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AC3 and DTS passthrough is a must!

Original comment by msmi...@gmail.com on 29 Apr 2014 at 1:30

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Would like passthrough too.

Instead of posting "+1" you should vote for this issue by clicking on the star 
in the upper left corner.

Original comment by nils.sch...@googlemail.com on 29 Apr 2014 at 1:40

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Clicked now! Thank you

Original comment by alessio....@gmail.com on 29 Apr 2014 at 7:00

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I can only support what people are writing here. Had I known that Chromecast 
doesn't support DTS or AC3 - even as passthrough - I wouldn't have bought it. 
Please, please, please add it... Passthrough would be enough for me.

And I'm in no way tempted to convert the audio of my video collection. Then I'd 
rather start the PC and play through XBMC...

Original comment by elgs...@gmail.com on 30 Apr 2014 at 11:01

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Lack of AC3 is really a shame! Please Google stay awesome, add it!

Original comment by Bernhard...@gmail.com on 30 Apr 2014 at 11:03

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Chromecast is a simple and awesome player! But with no AC3 passthrough my PC 
still has to do most of the daily work. Converting is no option since AAC 
multichannel can not be decoded by any audio reciever!

Original comment by DaSchnei...@gmail.com on 1 May 2014 at 1:17

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I bought my Chromecast two weeks ago and without ac3 and DTS passthrough it's 
totally worthless....

Original comment by hasseko...@gmail.com on 1 May 2014 at 10:27

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I cannot believe this thing doesn't support AC3 or DTS. Beggars belief !

Original comment by shumon.m...@gmail.com on 1 May 2014 at 7:21

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Is there any legal issue with supporting passthrough or is this a marketing 
issue?

Original comment by che...@gmail.com on 7 May 2014 at 11:14

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Marketing!!! Google tv is coming

Original comment by diego.ar...@gmail.com on 7 May 2014 at 11:17

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A very dumb move of Google to not support AC3! It's in allmost every video file.

Original comment by e.evert...@gmail.com on 19 May 2014 at 8:12

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Is it not just possible to put support for AC3 in a firmware update?

Original comment by e.evert...@gmail.com on 19 May 2014 at 8:16

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I found this out just over the past few days....what a letdown and very 
frustrating.

Original comment by ble...@gmail.com on 20 May 2014 at 2:47

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Come on guys, please lets have an update for AC-3 and DTS passthrough!

Original comment by fez...@gmail.com on 28 May 2014 at 1:45

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This is killing me! I wanted to remove my plex pc and use ipad and chromecast.. 
but NO! Now i have two devices that I have to switch between. Google once you 
do it, do it right!

Note! HDMI-CEC would also be nice.

Original comment by Toml...@gmail.com on 28 May 2014 at 7:14

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such a shame ! a Media player without Ac3 and DTS is a non sense

Original comment by maxime.w...@gmail.com on 29 May 2014 at 2:07

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So the media player is only half media player.

Original comment by wtama...@gmail.com on 31 May 2014 at 5:51

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Please add this if you are able.

Original comment by Mike.Gre...@gmail.com on 31 May 2014 at 8:55

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Google what is your rationale for not enabling pasthru? 

Original comment by rsama...@gmail.com on 2 Jun 2014 at 3:41