on the fly digital audio swicthing AC3<-> 2 channel PCM

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I've read a lot about this topic. The fact that (appearantly) MCE specifies
that an mpeg2 audio decoder (=part of the DVD codec) needs to be able to
switch between AC3 and 2 channel tracks on the fly.

Here is some background stuff:

** Comment one: My AC97 sound card was configured for 5.1 speakers and
sp/dif. I change speaker setup to 2 speakers and sp/dif and now, when I go
from ac3 channel to stereo channel, sound is ok

** Comment two: I had exactly the same problem and solved it in the same way
- setting my sound driver to 2 channel. It still outputs DVDs in AC3/DTS
5.1, but I can actually switch to TV now.

MY QUESTION: Can anyone explain a bit technically what this change (set the
soundcard output, "speakers/ number of channels outgoing to "2") (But the
soundcardit is still in spdif mode.) I guess this is in essence? a
configuration of the last step in a chain of what is supposed to happen to
a digital bitstream sent to the "Direct Sound renderer" (ie the soundcard!)
- telling it what it is supposed to do with it? Any short explanation or
simplification?

Did anyone follow this?
.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: Cutting stereo in two
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  • Re: Sound differences
    ... means there is a 5.1 sound track on there. ... Some games have "surround" ... into a two channel carriage, ... need a license, and not all sound devices come with a license ...
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