Windows HOW-TO Bitstreaming using XBMC

What is bit streaming?
1. It is the process where the original audio stream is transmitted digitally in its original format (un-molested) to AVR for decoding. I’m going to concentrate on bit streaming HD audio formats (DTS-HD master & Dolby True-HD).

Hardware Requirements:
1. HTPC running Windows 7 or 8 with either an AMD APU, Intel i3 Clarkdale CPU, or HD bit streaming capable GPU (AMD HD5450 or Nvidia GT520)
2. A receiver that can decode DTS(MA) and True-HD

HTPC:
1. Case: Apex MI-100
2. Mobo: ASRock A75M-ITX
3. CPU: AMD A6-3500
4. RAM: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB)
5. SSD: Patriot Torqx 2 PT232GS25SSDR 2.5" 32GB
6. BD-ROM: LG Black 12X BD-ROM
7. HDMI cables

AVR:
1. Onkyo HTX-22HDX Ultra-Compact HD Home Theater System
or
2. Denon AVR-391

Software:
1. Windows 7 or 8
2. AMD CCC Driver
3. XBMC HD Audio

Setup:
1. Connects: HTPC-->AVR-->HDTV via HDMI cables (if there is an option, set AVR to pass-thru video)
2. Install Windows 7 or 8
3. Install the latest "AMD CCC driver for AMD GPU/iGPU" or "Automatically identify and find drivers for Intel iGPU" (Note: if you installed Realtek, you need to un-install it)
4. Enable DXVA2 with "Auto Detect" as Render Method and disable everything else in XBMC settings/video/playback (Note: if you are using Intel iGPU, you need to disable DXVA2 and select Software as Renderer Method)
5. Enable "Use a fullscreen window rather than true fullscreen" in XBMC settings/system/video output (Note: if you encounter tearing issue, you need to disable "Use a fullscreen window rather than true fullscreen")
6. Select AMD HDMI audio output in Windows 7 control panel/hardware and sound/sound/playback (Note: if you are using Nvidia or Intel GPU, you need to select Nvidia or Intel HDMI output instead)
7. Follow steps below to setup XBMC:
a. Download- HDAudio + Eden RC2
b. Configure XBMC audio output as shown below, and you must select WASAPI for Audio output device -




FYI- if you want to enjoy blu-ray disc original menus, extras, chapter, etc, you can configure XBMC external player using this guide- Another External Player Code, but Very Simple to Setup!

Note- The version in SETUP section listed above works on all my HTPC's, but the latest Frodo below works fine too. If you encounter any difficulty with the version I listed above/below, you can ask for help in this thread. I'll try my best to help you on it.

If you want the latest XBMC with HD audio support, you can download it from here- Current Stable Release: 12.0 “Frodo”.....

Awesome thread blu. Once i get my new avr by the end of this week. This will really help me. Thanks as always blu

blu is this ok. I had xbmc then i uninstalled it then installed HDAudio + Eden RC2? now i can see all the dts hd and truehd but cant try it yet until i get my new avr

(2012-05-29 19:57)MrKay Wrote:  blu is this ok. I had xbmc then i uninstalled it then installed HDAudio + Eden RC2? now i can see all the dts hd and truehd but cant try it yet until i get my new avr

Yes, that should work.......after you received your AVR, you will see all HD audio's list in Windows 7 control panel as shown below-

Thanks blu for the pics

Blu just got my new avr its the yamaha rx-a810 now i have sound. Thanks

(2012-06-07 15:28)MrKay Wrote:  Blu just got my new avr its the yamaha rx-a810 now i have sound. Thanks

I'm glad that you can enjoy bitstreaming HD audio now......

I've only been able to get 5.1 audio with movies, but I verified that I can send signals to all 8 speakers independently using W7's built in speaker config screen, as well as verifying that my receiver sees all 8 speakers accordingly. However, the real problem could lie with the video encode I was using (even though MediaInfo shows it as having an 8 channel DTS audio stream). I thought I had 7.1 DTS-HDMA audio in it (DTS-HDMA lights came on on the receiver), but XBMC showed it as only outputting 5.1. So is there something I'm missing with this tutorial to get this working properly?

(2012-06-18 07:09)espylacopa Wrote:  I've only been able to get 5.1 audio with movies, but I verified that I can send signals to all 8 speakers independently using W7's built in speaker config screen, as well as verifying that my receiver sees all 8 speakers accordingly. However, the real problem could lie with the video encode I was using (even though MediaInfo shows it as having an 8 channel DTS audio stream). I thought I had 7.1 DTS-HDMA audio in it (DTS-HDMA lights came on on the receiver), but XBMC showed it as only outputting 5.1. So is there something I'm missing with this tutorial to get this working properly?

Did you select 7.1 in Windows 7 control panel and XBMC audio output?

(2012-06-18 16:49)bluray Wrote:  

(2012-06-18 07:09)espylacopa Wrote:  I've only been able to get 5.1 audio with movies, but I verified that I can send signals to all 8 speakers independently using W7's built in speaker config screen, as well as verifying that my receiver sees all 8 speakers accordingly. However, the real problem could lie with the video encode I was using (even though MediaInfo shows it as having an 8 channel DTS audio stream). I thought I had 7.1 DTS-HDMA audio in it (DTS-HDMA lights came on on the receiver), but XBMC showed it as only outputting 5.1. So is there something I'm missing with this tutorial to get this working properly?

Did you select 7.1 in Windows 7 control panel and XBMC audio output?

Yes I did.