AAC 5.1 through hdmi on MPC-HC

I have seen a lot of threads regarding AAC 5.1 playback but most seem to discuss it through SPDIF.  i found a thread that helps set up k-lite codec pack to give the best settings for surround sound. despite all of that I still can't play AAC 5.1 via HDMI.

any help would be greatly appreciated

AAC is not a format that can be transferred in compressed form via HDMI. It gets decoded on the PC and then gets send as 5.1 PCM (= uncompressed audio) via HDMI.

If your receiver does not support 5.1 PCM, then the same applies as for SPDIF, you need to convert it to 5.1 AC3.

HDMI normally supports 5.1 PCM. So if it isn't working, then first check your Windows sound settings. Things might (wrongly) be configured as stereo there.

i changed my windows sound to 5.1. it now shows up on my reciever (Sony STR-DN 1080) as Dolby Digital 5.1

I checked my manual and the receiver does support multichannel PCM up to 7.1

however now my other issue is non aac video plays in a fast choppy rate and nothing but loud white noise

AAC shows up as Dolby Digital (= AC3)? Did you make configuration changes to convert to AC3?

Since your Windows settings were wrong, check the codec settings as well (as those default to same as Windows).
Codec Tweak Tool > Audio Output
Select 5.1 and enable bitstreaming for the audio formats that are supported by your receiver.