[ashlar]

Let's start again. I did not have AAC unchecked in formats for LAV to decode (it doesn't), so un-checking that and now AC3filter takes it.

No if I can just figure out why all the back are being seen by the HK as side-channels, and silent, I'll be REALLY happy.

THAT YOU!!!!! for the help. Sometimes I ask questions before I just stop and LOOK.

I don't understand what's the use of AC3 filter for you. If you have LAV Audio decode AAC to PCM sound you should be all set. Unless you are talking about 5.1 AAC files that you want transcoded to 5.1 AC3 (in that case you need either AC3filter or Reclock as sound renderer).

Regarding the channel layout, check LAV Audio configuration. There's a couple of settings there that might help, namely "Convert Output to Standard Channel Layouts" and/or "Use Legacy 5.1 channel layout".

Edit: btw, if you configure DSPlayer correctly, you should be able to manage AC3filter being loaded only when needed (ie. for 5.1 AAC files). Read about it here: http://kodi.wiki/view/Playercorefactory.xml and use "audiocodec" and "audiochannels" as metadata attributes to check against.