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Setting up AC3Filter for digital audio passthrough over HDMI

by blogo on Nov.22, 2008, under Information, Tutorials

It should be noted that this guide is intended for Windows XP running an ATi card with HDMI out. Other configurations might work with these instructions, but I can not guarantee this.

Requirements:

  1. Windows XP.
  2. Compatible receiver with HDMI input.
  3. ATi Radeon card with hdmi out (usually a DVI+sound to HDMI adapter)
  4. The correct ATi HDMI Audio Driver (not Realtek ones) – Link: http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx?p=xp/hdmiaudio-xp
  5. AC3Filter – Link: http://ac3filter.net/projects/ac3filter
  6. Directshow capable media player, such as MPC-HC and Media Portal which will be used in this tutorial.

My specifications (when writing this tutorial):

  • Ati 4850
  • Windows XP SP3
  • Intel Core Duo E8400
  • Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R Main board
  • AC3Filter 1.51a
  • Combined Community Codec Pack (latest version includes MPC-HC)

The tutorial

After installing AC3filter and the correct drivers. Open MPC-HC, go to View > Options and select Output.
Important: Under “DirectShow Audio” make sure the right output is selected (not system default), in my case this is “ATI HD rear output”.

Go to Filter Settings and make sure everything there is unchecked, then continue to Audio Switcher and disable the built in audio switcher.

Continue to external filters, choose Add Filter and select AC3Filter, press OK and make sure it is set to prefer.

You can now close Media Player Classic Home Cinema.

AC3Filter Setup

Locate the AC3Filter config in the start menu under Programs. This will bring up the following dialog.

Set “Output format” to something that matches your speaker configuration and is compatable with your receiver.

Continue to the SPDIF tab, and make sure the settings under SPDIF passthrough match the following screenshot.

Then continue to the System tab and make sure it matches the following screenshot.

Now press OK to save your options.

Making sure it is working

You should now try playing back a video with AC3 or DTS sound to see if you hear anything, if there is sound playing you should check if digital pass-through is working. This can be done by clicking the AC3Filter icon in the system tray when the movie is playing and see if says “Passthrough” under “Output format”.

Another way to test is trying to adjust the windows volume, if this doesn’t work and the only way to adjust the volume is on the receiver everything is working perfectly.

Setting up Mediaportal with AC3Filter

Mediaportal is an open source media center software for windows. It uses Directshow for media processing and can therefor be used together with AC3Filter.

You can get the newest version at http://www.team-mediaportal.com/, I recommend the Indigo/monochrome theme and the moving pictures plugin for optimal experience.

Anyways, open Mediaportal Setup and go to Movie Player settings (see screenshot below). Set Audio decoder to AC3Filter and renderer to ATI HD Audio rear ouput.

Continue to the Movie Post Processing section and add AC3Filter by double clicking it in the lower pane, make sure the selection box is marked. Press OK to save and start Mediaportal to test. If you need to use the receiver to control volume levels it should be working.

Please give feedback if everything worked, or if you encounter any problems.

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SE W580i iSync and Address Book plugin

by blogo on Jul.29, 2007, under Information, Tutorials

Update 20. Oct 2008: A more up to date plugin is located at http://www.mroach.com/

After recieving a Sony Ericsson W580i, I made a quick plugin to get it up and running with iSync and Address Book. The plug-in is in no way perfect but should get the job done. I haven’t tested calendar syncing yet.

Download the following file W580i_iSync_Plugins_v1.zip, put PhonePlugins in the /User/Library folder. From here on add the phone in bluetooth devices and open iSync.

To get the address book working, open /Applications/Address Book.app/Contents/Resources/ Telephony.bundle/Contents/Resources/ABDeviceCommandSets.plist

Locate the following text:


ABDeviceModelStrings

P800

ABDial
ATD%@;

And add the following under it, before

ABAnswerPhone
ATA
ABAnswerWaiting
at+chld=2
ABDeclineWaiting
at+chld=0
ABDeviceModelStrings

W580

ABDial
ATD%@;
ABEnableCallWaiting
at+ccwa=1
ABEnableCallerID
at*eips=1,1
ABEnableCallerName
at*eips=2,1
ABEnableSMSReceive
at+CNMI=2,1
ABHangUpPhone
ATH
ABReleaseAndAnswer
at+chld=1
ABRequestClip
at+clip=1
ABSendSMS
AT+CMGS=%dBWACKRBWACKN

If you have another Sony Ericsson model without Address Book support you can try adding yourphonemodel after the W580 line.

Thanks to:
yesbutno.com
the.taoofmac.com

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Sony Ericsson K610i Dissasembly

by blogo on Apr.20, 2007, under Information, Tutorials

Found this guide on the net the other day, hope someone likes it.

How to take apart a Sony Ericsson k610i cell phone

Tools required: Torx 6 screwdriver

k610i
1: Remove battery, SIM card and memory card.

Remove lower torx screws
2. Remove the two bottom torx screws.

Remove k610i back plate
3. Remove the upper backplate by putting pressure on one of the sides. You can help with a small slotted screwdriver, but be careful not to use to much pressure.

Remove top torc screws
4. Remove the two top torx screws.

Remove k610i front plate
5. The front should be easy to remove, try opening it from one side and the proceed to the other.

Remove k610i electronics
6. The electronics are all in one component, start from the top, but be careful not to damage anything.

k610i parts
7. The k610i dissasembled.

k610i parts

Video of upper backplate removal:

There are also other dissasembly videos on youtube for those interested.

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