Media3 audio support for AC3/AC4 (device supports Dolby Atmos/DTS:X but fails to decode AC3/AC4)

[osscv]

Hi, I have a question regarding AC3 / AC4 playback support in Media3 (ExoPlayer).

What I’m seeing:
My device reports support for Dolby Atmos (and DTS:X Ultra), but when I try to play media that contains AC3 (Dolby Digital) or AC4, playback fails (no audio / unsupported format / decoder init failure depending on file).

However, VLC on the same device can play these files. Is there any supported way in Media3 to enable AC3/AC4 playback similar to VLC?

Does Media3 rely strictly on platform decoders (MediaCodec) for AC3/AC4 on Android, meaning it won’t work unless the device exposes a decoder?

Is there any official / recommended approach to support AC3/AC4 via:
software decoding (e.g., FFmpeg extension), or audio passthrough to HDMI / eARC / SPDIF (if supported)?

Environment
Device model: Honor Magic 8 Pro
Android version: 16
Media3 version: 1.9.0
Output: built-in speakers

[yewenkai]

I’ve encountered a similar situation before. There is already an issue discussing this problem:
google/ExoPlayer#2781 (comment)

Many decoders in FFmpeg are not commonly used, so the official project does not provide prebuilt binaries.
You need to follow the instructions in the following README to build FFmpeg yourself and enable
software decoding for AC3:
https://github.com/androidx/media/tree/release/libraries/decoder_ffmpeg/README.md

For more details, you can also refer to the official documentation here:
https://developer.android.com/media/media3/exoplayer/supported-formats?hl=zh-cn#ffmpeg-library

[osscv]

Hi, @yewenkai
But does it support DASH (MPD) content?
So, did u mean that using the "Media3 FFmpeg extension" to support AC-3, E-AC-3, DTS, DTS-HD, and TrueHD
formats, ensuring compatibility on devices with hardware decoding issues?

[osscv]

but the ffmpeg import is not longer available on Media3? is for ExoPlayer , is that any idea?

[yewenkai]

@osscv
I’m not entirely sure whether the Media3 FFmpeg extension supports DASH (MPD) content, as I’ve only personally tested it with HLS streams.

That said, Media3 is essentially the successor of ExoPlayer, and FFmpeg integration is still supported. If you follow the README in the official repository, you can build the FFmpeg extension yourself and obtain a lib-decoder-ffmpeg-release.aar file.

You can then place this AAR into your app’s /app/libs directory and include it in your project by following the “Using the module with ExoPlayer” section in the README. Once integrated, it should provide software decoding support for formats like AC-3, which is especially useful on devices with hardware decoding limitations.

If needed, you may also use an AI-assisted coding tool to help with the Gradle configuration and module integration.

[osscv]

@yewenkai Orite, let me check this out. Thanks.

[osscv]

@yewenkai unfortunately I couldn't make it, (skill issues - hopefully they will have, Media3 FFMpeg import ezy for me

[yewenkai]

@yewenkai unfortunately I couldn't make it, (skill issues - hopefully they will have, Media3 FFMpeg import ezy for me

You can download the package I compiled last year here:
https://imgs.yewenkai.cn/lib-decoder-ffmpeg-release.aar (I can’t guarantee this link will remain valid long-term).

I can confirm that it supports AC3. As for whether it supports other audio codecs, I don’t remember.

[yewenkai]

I have to point out that the official project does not recommend directly distributing prebuilt FFmpeg binaries. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with the relevant licenses. The reasons for this are explained here:
google/ExoPlayer#2781 (comment)

[yewenkai]

After copying the AAR file to the /app/libs directory, add the following line in the dependencies block of your build.gradle.kts, before or after:

implementation("androidx.media3:media3-exoplayer:1.9.0")
implementation(fileTree(mapOf("dir" to "libs", "include" to listOf("*.jar", "*.aar"))))

[osscv]

@yewenkai Thanks bro, I try it again tonight. 😃

[osscv]

@yewenkai, I think it might not work for the encrypted MPD (DASH); maybe we need more information on the integrations or debugging (might also my skill issue -hahhaa). Thanks bro!!!