Which app support AC3 audio format?
AC3, also known as Dolby Digital, is a perceptual coding technology for digital audio compression. It was developed in the early 1990s by Dolby Laboratories as an audio format for encoding multi-channel digital audio while reducing the amount of data needed to transmit high-quality audio (Source 1).
AC3 supports up to six channels of audio – left, right, center, left surround, right surround, and a low-frequency effects channel for deep bass. This makes it well-suited for cinema, home theaters, and other surround sound applications. The format is also backwards compatible with stereo equipment (Source 2).
AC3 is the standard audio format for DVD-Video media and Blu-ray discs. It is also used internationally for digital television broadcasts, satellite and cable broadcasts, and consumer multimedia devices. The ability to efficiently encode multi-channel audio while maintaining high quality has made AC3 one of the world’s most widely used audio compression formats.
Devices that Support AC3
Many modern devices support playback of AC3 audio, especially Blu-ray players, HDTVs, and surround sound systems. AC3 is one of the standard audio formats for Blu-ray discs, so most Blu-ray players are capable of decoding AC3 audio and outputting multi-channel surround sound.
The majority of HDTVs with built-in speakers or audio outputs include AC3 decoding capability. Most smart TVs and 4K Ultra HD TVs are designed to handle AC3 5.1 audio from Blu-ray players and other sources. Many TVs specifically list AC3 as a supported audio codec in their specifications.
Home theater surround sound receivers and systems commonly support AC3 5.1 and 7.1 audio. Brands like Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo, and Pioneer build AC3 decoding into their A/V receivers. Users can set up the receivers to output AC3 audio to multiple speakers for immersive surround sound.
Soundbars, while having more limited speaker configurations than full surround systems, also often include AC3 support. Soundbars designed for home theater use will be capable of taking AC3 input from a TV or player and producing simulated surround effects.
Media Players with AC3 Support
VLC Media Player is one of the most popular media players that supports AC3 audio. According to TOP 8 AC3 Players for Windows/Mac/Android/iOS in 2024, VLC media player is a free and open-source player that allows you to play AC3 files, which are typically used for storing surround sound audio data.
Another player that supports AC3 audio is Windows Media Player. As per 5 Best Free AC3 Players for Windows, Mac, Android, and …, Windows Media Player comes built-in on Windows operating systems and can play AC3 files without needing additional codecs.
Kodi is an open-source media center application that also has native support for AC3 audio. According to the sources provided, Kodi works across various platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. It supports multi-channel audio output via AC3 when playing compatible media files.
Game Consoles Supporting AC3
Many modern game consoles support AC3 surround sound for an immersive audio experience while gaming. Key consoles with AC3 capability include:
PlayStation
Sony’s PlayStation consoles have included AC3 support since the release of the PS2 in 2000. Both the PS2 and PS3 can decode AC3 audio from DVD and Blu-ray discs. The PS4 and PS5 also have AC3 decoding built-in to provide 5.1 surround sound from media and games.
Xbox
Microsoft’s Xbox consoles have consistently offered AC3 audio support. The original Xbox had a built-in AC3 decoder to handle 5.1 audio from DVDs. The Xbox 360 could decode AC3 and the latest Xbox Series X/S consoles also include AC3 compatibility.
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch utilizes AC3 encoding to deliver surround sound in select games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. When docked, the Switch can pass through AC3 audio via HDMI from media apps and discs.
Mobile Devices Supporting AC3
Many modern mobile devices, including both iOS and Android phones and tablets, offer support for AC3 audio playback. However, support varies across devices and operating system versions.
For iPhones and iPads, AC3 audio is supported beginning with devices running iOS 11 and later (Source 1). Older iOS versions do not natively support AC3. On Android phones and tablets, AC3 support depends on both the Android version and device model. Many newer Android devices running Android 8.0 Oreo and later support AC3 audio, but compatibility still varies (Source 2).
Some popular mobile video player apps like VLC and KM Player have built-in AC3 decoding and can play AC3 audio on both iOS and Android devices, even if the native OS does not support it. However, the internal speakers may not work properly, so headphones or external speakers would be required (Source 3). Using a third-party video player app is the most reliable way to ensure AC3 playback on mobile.
Computers and AC3 Compatibility
When it comes to AC3 audio compatibility on computers, we’ll focus on the three major operating systems: Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Many modern computers natively support decoding AC3 audio in software, but performance and compatibility varies between operating systems.
In Windows 10, basic AC3 playback is available out of the box through smart software decoders. However, according to Reddit discussions, there can be performance issues playing back AC3 audio on underpowered computers or older versions of Windows. VLC media player is commonly recommended for smooth AC3 playback in Windows.
Mac OS also includes built-in AC3 software decoding, enabling it to handle AC3 audio tracks played in QuickTime Player or iTunes. Hardware acceleration isn’t available for AC3 on Mac computers, so software decoding can strain the CPU. But overall AC3 compatibility is generally reliable in the latest versions of Mac OS.
Most Linux distributions can playback AC3 audio out of the box as well using ffmpeg/libav codecs. But some older Linux systems may require additional codec packs to handle AC3 formatting. As with Windows and Mac, VLC player is a popular AC3 playback solution for Linux.
Streaming Devices with AC3
Many popular streaming devices support AC3 audio, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast. According to the Roku developer documentation, “The most common audio codecs for video content are AAC, AC3, E-AC3, and DTS. It is strongly recommended that channels provide one of these audio formats” (Roku Streaming Specifications). This indicates Roku devices have broad support for AC3 audio passthrough.
The 2nd and 3rd generation Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, and newer models also support AC3 audio. Some users have reported issues passing AC3 audio to receivers via Fire TV (Reddit Discussion). So compatibility may depend on the app, AV receiver, and audio format.
Apple TV 4K and previous generations can pass AC3 audio to AV receivers that support Dolby Digital. Playing this format may require changing settings on the Apple TV audio output to “Best Available” instead of stereo.
Google Chromecast support for AC3 varies by model. The Chromecast Ultra and newer Chromecasts with Google TV can pass through AC3 5.1 audio. Older Chromecast models may only support AC3 stereo audio.
Home Theater Receivers
Some of the most popular home theater receiver brands that support decoding AC3 audio include:
- Yamaha receivers – Many of their popular models like the RX-V6A fully support Dolby Digital (AC3) decoding.
- Denon AVRs – Most of their recent receivers like the DENON-AVR-X3500H have built-in AC3 decoding for surround sound.
- Onkyo – Some higher-end Onkyo models such as the TX-NR797 and TX-NR696 A/V receivers can decode 7.1 Dolby TrueHD (AC3) natively.
- Pioneer – Many Pioneer Elite receivers come with Dolby Digital decoding capability, such as the VSX-LX505 or VSX-45.
Overall most modern home theater receivers from reputable brands have built-in support for decoding common surround sound formats like AC3 or Dolby Digital.
Soundbars with AC3 Capability
Many popular soundbar brands support the AC3 audio codec, allowing users to enjoy surround sound from their soundbars. Some examples include:
Sonos – Most Sonos soundbars including the Sonos Beam, Playbar and Arc have Dolby Digital support, so they can decode AC3 audio. Users report that Plex AC3 files work without issue on Sonos soundbars. Source
Bose – Many recent Bose soundbars like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and 700 include Dolby Digital decoding. The older Bose SoundTouch 300 soundbar also supports the AC3 format.
Samsung – Popular recent Samsung soundbars such as the Q900T, Q800T and S95B models have support for Dolby Digital, so they can handle AC3 audio streams. Some older models may require a firmware update if they didn’t initially support AC3.
Vizio – Most recent Vizio soundbar models including the Vizio Elevate, M512a-H6 and M51ax-J6 have built-in decoders for Dolby Digital. There were some issues with older models not recognizing AC3 output, but firmware updates addressed this.
In summary, most major soundbar brands released in the last few years include support for AC3 / Dolby Digital decoding, allowing users to enjoy surround audio from services and devices that use the popular format.
Conclusion
In summary, popular media devices and applications with AC3 surround sound support typically include Xbox, PlayStation, Blu-ray players, VLC and Kodi media players, Chromecast Ultra and other high-end streaming devices, home theater receivers from major brands, many Smart TVs, popular soundbars, and computers running Windows or macOS. Most modern devices aimed at home entertainment support the AC3 codec to enable 5.1 channel audio. Mobile devices may have limited support due to hardware constraints.
To experience AC3 audio, users generally need a device or application capable of decoding the format along with an AC3 compatible speaker setup like a surround sound system. Support varies across operating systems and individual apps.
When shopping for home theater equipment like receivers, televisions, streaming boxes or media players that handle multi-channel audio, AC3 compatibility is now standard on most major brands and premium models. Users looking for an immersive entertainment experience via services like Blu-Ray, streaming platforms or gaming can rely on AC3 to deliver quality 5.1 surround sound.