Can most receivers decode a AAC 5.1 signal?

[marklight]

Just asking because i had a mkv file that i converted to mp4, and i preserved the audio making it aac 5.1, but I'm just wondering if most audio receivers can decode that audio stream- if say I hook my computer (MBP) up to one using an optical cable.

[dynaflash]

Nope, pretty much none of them do.

[NightStorm]

I don't know of one that has actually made it to store shelves that can decode 5.1 AAC.

[marklight]

so i'm guessing this is the problem then everyone is having with retaining 5.1 surround then huh... hmmm. If i'm not going to apple tv- (im going straight from computer to receiver) is there a format that i can get say keep the ac3 audio and still import it into iTunes and add album art?

I know that .mov could probably do this (export to PCM ? can receivers even decode 5.1 PCM audio? I'd assume so)- but you can't add album art to .mov can you ? i think i tried once and failed. My audio knowledge is awful...

[NightStorm]

Use Handbrake to create a m4v file (w/ AC3) and install Perian on the computer.

[marklight]

Use Handbrake to create a m4v file (w/ AC3) and install Perian on the computer.

how do you do this? I thought that handbrake only worked with DVD's

[NightStorm]

Yes, actually it supports a variety of MPEG-2 sources now. I did not remember your source was a mkv when I posted the last comment.