Audio Device menu option unavailable in 1.1.11
Technical Details: I'm running VLC on a MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM. MacOSX 10.6.8. For video I run the output of the DVI port through a DVI to HDMI converter into a Samsung 50" LCD. Audio output from the Optical Digital port to the optical digital input of a Sony receiver that converts both Dolby Digital and DTS to 5.1 discreet outputs. Now, I only say this next part to confirm for you that while I'm not a programmer, I DO have some idea what I'm talking about. I've been a post production audio engineer/re-recording mixer/editor for the past 20 years, and last year I was nominated for a Canadian Gemini Award for best sound in a documentary.
First a bit of history. As far back as I can remember I've had a problem outputting 5.1 audio. It all has to do with the Audio Device menu selection. As long as I stick with "Built-in Output" I don't seem to have a problem, although it also means I can only listen to Dolby Pro Logic. In order to get the discreet 5.1 stream, either Dolby Digital or DTS, I have to switch to "Built-in Output (Encoded Output)." I'm sure you know this. Here's the problem. When I use the "Encoded Output" I can only watch one video at a time. As soon as the video ends VLC crashes, regardless of whether there are any more videos in the queue. Then, I have to unplug the optical cable, start VLC, open a video, let it play for a few seconds, stop it and quit VLC. Then I can plug the optical cable back in and watch another video in AC3 or DTS. This has always been inconvenient, but since VLC is such a fantastic piece of software otherwise, I've always just put up with it.
The problem is, as of 1.1.11, I can no longer get the Audio Device option to work at all. No matter what I do, it just stays greyed out. I tried all the usual fixes, rebooted the computer a couple of times, changed the optical cable etc. Then I switched back to 1.1.10, and suddenly Audio Device is working again. Since this is a step backward, I thought I should let you know. As I say, VLC is a BRILLIANT feat of coding. It is the only software I use to watch videos. So I thought I would try to help out this one time, since I have to assume I'm not the only user with this issue. Feel free to contact me if you need any clarification. shaunfirth@acanac.net.