How To Make 5.1 Files for ATV2?

[plaidhippo]

Hi all,
Now that the take two update is announced, we see :apple:tv supporting 5.1 audio. The basic question for me is what settings are necessary for handbrake (version 0.9.1) to create a standard movie with full 5.1 sound? I am looking forward to seeing and hearing "The Matrix" the way it looks on DVD! :)

Thanks,
Ashish

[NightStorm]

Since we don't know exactly how Apple is implementing this, there isn't any way you can do this yet.

[Cave Man]

It will likely take a revision to Handbrake. There are only two containers that can be generated with AC3 Dolby Digital 5.1 with Handbrake - .mkv and .avi. Neither of these play on the current ATV, nor is it likely that they will play on the ATV2.

I am hopeful that Apple won't do anything tricky to complicate matters (but I wouldn't be surprised if they do) so that the revision will only require putting the AC3 tracks into an appropriate Quicktime container.

Right now, there is a two-step process to get AC3 into .mov files for playback in QuickTime (first .avi, then "Save As" in QuickTime Pro as a .mov) that will play back in 5.1 on a Mac connected to a receiver by an optical cable using Quicktime, VLC or Front Row, plus installation of Perian and a small mod to a plist file. However, these files are rejected by the ATV, even though iTunes accepts them.