[MPlayer-users] Getting the best sound from mplayer

[Grant]

...
> Of course. Also, to answer question about converting from 6.1 and 7.1:
> try default mplayer downmix pan filter settings for these, from
> libaf/af.c.  Clément Bœsch did a nice work on implementing downmix in
> mplayer, check out this email for two good sets of pan settings:
> http://lists.mplayerhq.hu/pipermail/mplayer-dev-eng/2010-September/066308.html
>
> The first one you see there is the one that made it to mplayer; but also
> check another one, it's based on Dolby recommendations IIRC; it gets
> less sound from FL/FR and more from rear/side channels and sounds quite
> different, its up to you which to prefer.

I carefully tried the second set of filters at that link but I do like
the top set better.

> PS btw, there are some blu-rays with nice stereo sound track added,
> premuxed from multichannel. You might enjoy these.

I always assume the stereo track is a director's commentary track and
I don't bother to rip it, but you're right.  I bet a large portion of
them are just downmixed without extra commentary.  I will start
grabbing those.

How can I determine how many channels are in the audio track of an MKV
file so I can apply the correct pan filter when I play it?

- Grant