Solved TVersity “No Sound” vs MKV Format 9

I’ve had an issue for some time watching MKV files via TVersity Media Server; Specifically, on my PS3, the video has been playing but there has been no audio on the television.  Here’s how I fixed it, and I’m fairly certain this fix likely applies to the Xbox 360 as well.

Symptoms

• TVersity Media Server plays MKV files via the PS3. The video can be seen, but there is no sound on the television.
• All other media besides MKV does have sound.

In my specific case my MediaInfo Application says the Matroska (MKV) file has 1 video stream: AVC, and 1 audio stream AC-3 aka AC3.

MKV files are like separate audio and video files that are sandwiched together into a rather unique format. I believe the theory behind the “no sound” problem is with decoding surround sound formats such as DTS and AC3, which is what most MKV files use. The system in question is not decoding the audio properly.

Solution

1. Installed FFDShow-Tryout, both 64-bit and 32-bit.
2. FFDShow Audio Decoder Config: Enabled Mixer option and forced 2/0/0 aka stereo sound.
3. FFDShow Audio Decoder Config: Ensure that DTS and AC3 codecs are both being handled, rather than disabled.
4. Installed Win7DSFilterTweaker.
5. Win7DSFilterTweaker: I tweaked all formats except WMV to use ffdshow instead of Microsoft.  (Logic was let Microsoft handle Microsoft–everything else goes to ffdshow.)
6. Win7DSFilterTweaker: Disabled Microsoft DTV-DVD Audio Decoder; both 32 and 64 bit.
7. Win7DSFilterTweaker: Disabled Media Foundation for .avi .m4a .m4v .mov .mp4 .mp4v; both 32 and 64-bit.
8. Re-installed TVersity 2.4.  Simply restarting or rebooting wasn’t enough.

Closing Notes

I was messing with this for quite some time, and I’ll admit working with codecs is not my expertise despite decades of computer work. However,  because the final step, to reinstall TVersity, was really what triggered everything to work, I think fewer steps may necessary.

I believe what really makes the solution work is that certain codecs need to be present to be detected by TVersity during the TVersity installation. Installing any codecs after TVersity has been installed means that all your tweaking and fiddling with settings may be ignored entirely. Reinstallation of TVersity seems to be the key.

If I had to do it again, I would choose to just install FFDShow-Tryout, perhaps only the 32-bit version, and then I would reinstall TVersity. If that didn’t work, I would try getting by with just the FFDShow  “Mixer” before I would complete any of the other steps.

Best of luck to you.

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