Feature Add-On Suggestion: LPCM to AC3 possible?

[NightSta]

Hiya:

I was wondering if an add-on (or if the core program) could implement an LPCM to AC3 audio conversion feature for those few discs that have their audio encoded in this manner? The couple I've come across seem to do this more as an anticopy feature as the video content itself fits a DVD5. I know that DVD Santa V4 has this as a feature. I had to research this a lot, as I wanted to avoid an unnecessary re-encode of the video (which DVD Santa doesn't allow for). I found out how to do it and have actually gone through with it, but to do so it requires several programs and multiple steps in order to get untouched video with new AC3 audio and most importantly, the IFOs updated and adjusted properly (in the sense of keeping the existing original menu; it's a lot simpler if a user dumps it --- but hey, I want it "all" :D )

[SlipGun]

*bump* I was hoping DVD-RB could do this too, with a feature like NuMenu4u's.

[Zeul]

The problem with LPCM to AC3 encoding is two fold. First there are no 'free' programs out there that create fully compliant AC3 streams. Besweet with ac3enc.dll will do it, but can produce unreliable AC3 streams - some players fail on it. SoftEncode is a commercial app that works very well and is fully compliant - but is not free. The whole methodology of ReBuilder is that it is a free app and uses freely available support apps (DGIndex for example).
The second problem is setting the AC3 encoder to the correct amplitude to match the 'loudness' of the original source. I have yet to find a way of determining this rate. This is still an unresolved issue with NuMenu4u, and as such the new AC3 stream can be quiter than the original.

Maybe the time is right for a new AC3 encoder .....(When i have finished my new authoring app, perhaps i will look into this)

[Johnny_Deep_Down_Below]

The whole methodology of ReBuilder is that it is a free app and uses freely available support apps (DGIndex for example).

What a bullshit. You always have to decide between good and free apps!

DVD-RB Pro <--> DVD-RB
CCE SP <--> the rest
Soft Encode <--> BeSweet
NuMenu4U VIP <--> NuMenu4U standard

You see, this rule even applies to your app. With the incredible slow Scenarist (which is a commercial app, too, right?) it is almost impossible to get any result, but it just works well with the later Muxman-versions (which are also payware).

Freeware-tools are in most cases a complete disappointment.

[m1ckran]

Freeware tools are not a disappointment at all. Rebuilder, Shrink and Decrypter are superb applications that show the way for many software houses. My apologies to the authors of other superb software not mentioned here - there are many!

Being familar with freeware, I went out and bought a highly-regarded commercial package: Nero. I was less than impressed.

If it makes you feel any better, you can always donate to the authors of freeware and shareware. It's more than a little mean, especially at this time of year, to complain about something if you've not made a donation.

Just ask yourself why, if freeware and shareware is so bad, is the industry going to such incredible lengths to stamp it out?

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all freeware and shareware authors a big thank you, a very merry Christmas and an extremely productive New Year.

[DK]

Freeware-tools are in most cases a complete disappointment.

==>> What a bullshit.

:o

[random asshat]

"Freeware in most cases is a complete disapointment "?

I thought Digg was the hotspot for shilling these days, shows what I know.
Just in case anyone hasn't had their daily quota of F.U.D. yet ..

http://www.redi.uklinux.net/images/open_source.jpg

[dragongodz]

well i started this post
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=104615
in hopes of getting some feedback by those in to audio compression on the state of ac3 encoding. unless someone who can reproduce problems replies though ..... who knows.

[jdobbs]

The whole methodology of ReBuilder is that it is a free app and uses freely available support apps (DGIndex for example). Bad example, as DVD Rebuilder doesn't use DGIndex. It scans the file and creates the D2V file itself. It does, however, use DGDECODE... Your premise is correct, though, if I understand it correctly, creation of AC3 streams requires royalty payments... so no freeware program would be able to do so legally (except possibly for "learning" etc.).

As for the freeware argument... I'd challenge anyone to find a commercial product that is the equal of AVISYNTH, VIRTUALDUB, IFOEDIT, or VOBEDIT (to name a few).

[Zeul]

Bad example, as DVD Rebuilder doesn't use DGIndex.

I stand corrected.

[jdobbs]

No big deal... I just want to keep the record straight... if a D2V is the source of a problem in DVD-RB, I'd rather people report it to me than bother Neuron2...

[Boulder]

How about LPCM->MP2?

I know, mp2 support is not mandatory for NTSC standalones but I've never heard of any that wouldn't do so.

[Malcolm]

I have written a guide how to compress audio (LPCM, AC3 5.1ch) to another format (ac3 2ch, mp2) before shrinking/reencoding it. You can find it here: http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=84887. Hope it helps.

P.S. I asked several times for adding what you have requested in your first post to apps like vobblanker, DVD-Rebuilder, etc. But with no luck..