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No AC3 codec in Windows 11 24H2 - Solution is needed

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
May 30, 2024
13 replies
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If i do a clean install of Windows 11 24H2 i cannot playback mp4 files with 5.1 audio. Microsoft writes "Beginning with Windows 11, version 24H2, the AC-3 codec is no longer included with Windows." and no solution is available such as "Buy the AC3 codec in MS Store now!!".

To reporduce:

1. Do a clean install of Windows 11

2. Install Premiere Pro

3. Import a mp4 file with 5.1 audio.

Result:

The file will be imported as video-only.

Expected result:

That the file imports as Video/Audio and that i can playback the file and hear the 5.1 audio.

Additional info:

If you have upgraded from a prior version of Windows 11 to 24H2 the AC3 codec is included, so doing a clean install of Win 11 24H2 is vital to reproduce this.

I have a HP Z4 G5 workstation and none of the audio drivers for this machine do contain any AC3 codec that Premiere Pro can use.

Any solution from Adobe?

Microsoft document: Codecs in Media Player - Microsoft Support

Import

Correct answer Averdahl

You can install the Dolby Digital codec. Read more here: Dolby Digital Plus Decoder for PC OEMs

This will bring back the audio for you!

We really hope that Microsoft, Adobe or even Canon will include the codec! I have about ten years of shooting and editing done in this format and I often have to recover past fragments. Shots taken with a Canon that I still use as a forklift. I did a clean install of Win11 two days ago and it took me half an afternoon to find out why I couldn't hear the audios anymore and the files in the premiere montages were no longer recognized. Tonight, guys, it's really hard to discover such a BETRAYAL.

By @Fondazione_G_Bassetti

Show previous replies

MyerPj

Community Expert

Upvoted, this could cause a real problem going forward.

AverdahlAuthor

Community Expert

Yes, i think this can be a problem as well and the solution needs to be provided by Adobe. Download install files from odd sites and installers that makes Windows throw warning messages during install is not the way to solve it 2024.

Ann Bens

Community Expert

I dont have mp4 with 5.1 audio but mts files with ac3 5.1 which play fine in the beta.

ac3 stereo works just fine either.

If I set the Preferences to Use File I get 6 mono tracks.

I have media player, vlc and pot player installed.This is indeed an upgrade from an older W11 version

I will check my laptop

https://www.free-codecs.com/download/ac3_filter.htm

We used to do this a long time ago or copy the ac3 codec from Encore?

AverdahlAuthor

Community Expert

How did you get Win 11 24H2, did you upgrade from let´s say 23H2 to 24H2 or did you wipe the disk and did a fresh install of 24H2? I saw now that you did an upgrade and that explain why it works for you.

AverdahlAuthor

Community Expert

I ended up using AnWave earlier today. This installed the MS Dolby Digital Atmos Pack but then i noticed an old issue with Premiere Pro, that the files play back out of sync.

VLC, PotPlayer, ShutterEncoder, Pegasys Authoring Works 7 and Pegasys Video Mastering Works 7 play back the same files in perfect sync, even without any AC3 add-ons installed. All Adobe apps play back the files out of sync.

Will try your links tomorrow. 🙂

In the end i ditched https://www.free-codecs.com/download/ac3_filter.htm because it wanted to install a trojan. I could not find anything here http://www.vlccodec.com that is a AC3 codec. AnWave worked but requires a download evertime, and Windows Media Player still complained about the lack of Dolby codec.

The best so far that gave med audio in Premiere Pro and audio in Windows Media Player that requires one download only was Download Dolby AC-3/AC-4 Installer - MajorGeeks that gave me Dolby Digital Plus Decoder for PC OEMs. Both packages are saved on my computer till next time...

It would be great if Adobe fixed this so we can just install Premiere Pro and edit away without issues. No Dolby codecs can be found in Microsoft Store.