I am aware (and have successfully done it) that Plex can play 1080P mkv files very well. While I understand the program has a lot of nice features, I'm just not enamored with it's user interface - probably just personal preference.

Beyond Plex, what other programs have you successfully used to play 1080P video with surround sound? Doesn't have to be mkv - I'd be interested in success stories in whatever format.

Beyond Plex, what other programs have you successfully used to play 1080P video with surround sound?

Front Row with Perian 1.1.4 and this Terminal hack:

http://www.cod3r.com/2008/02/the-correct-way-to-enable-ac3-passthrough-with-quicktime/

passes AC3 through for me, and as long as the 1080p x264.mkv isn't too demanding FR can handle it without stuttering or dropping too many frames. (Perian 1.1.4 breaks DTS passthrough via this hack, though.)

When I know I'll want AC3 and DTS passthrough, I think MPlayer OSX Extended does a better job with the more challenging 1080p .mkv content. This is with a 2.0 C2D Macbook happily still on 10.5.8...too many HT-related things remain broken in SL (including AC3 passthrough with MPlayer OS Extended.)

too many HT-related things remain broken in SL (including AC3 passthrough with MPlayer OS Extended.)

and for me... in fact under SL, all passthrough broken;
worked for a while, then broke when playing Qtime. Worked again under newest update, then broke again... With Perian - without Perian; Front Row, Plex... wonder why it so hard?

works great under AppleTV now, but nothing in SL...

ken

and for me... in fact under SL, all passthrough broken;
worked for a while, then broke when playing Qtime. Worked again under newest update, then broke again... With Perian - without Perian; Front Row, Plex... wonder why it so hard?

works great under AppleTV now, but nothing in SL...

ken

AC3 passthrough works fine for me in SL, using VLC 1.02.