Credits:
A big thanks goes to all the people mentioned below, their contributions to the many parts of the FAQ and their general forum help is invaluable.
Doom9 for running a great site and forum
DSPguru
pacohaas
MaTTeR
bond
Tuning
tiki4
rjamorim
tangent
Wilbert
akan314
hans-jürgen
All for their excellent contributions.
Reference websites:
http://www.audiocoding.com
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org
http://www.dolby.com
http://www.mp3dev.org
Changelog:
1.7.04: Initial reorganization and posting
1.8.04: Updated DTS Q2 regarding vStrip. Linked to Wilbert's guide. Clarified Q4 regarding Surcode Pro & Q6 regarding DTSWAV filter.
1.8.04: Reorganized AAC Q3 for clarity.
1.8.04: Updated General Q16 winamp plugins.
1.9.04: Updated AAC Q10 with command prompt joining method.
2.9.04: Updated DTS Q2 for misleading quality information.
2.23.04: Updated Vorbis Q2 and AAC Q12 with Dolby Out DS information.
3.2.04: Updated AC3 Q15 and DTS Q5 & Q6 with information about using VLC for DD/DTS-Wav/CD playback.
3.11.04: Updated rarewares links throughout FAQ due to domain change.
3.11.04: Updated AAC Q3 regarding Real AAC encoding ability.
4.5.04: Updated AAC Q3 links, updated AAC Q9 formats info, merged AAC Q23 to AAC Q9 (M4A)
4.5.04: DTS Q4 clarified regarding Surcode Pro.
4.5.04: AC3 Q2 updated re ac3enc.
6.27.04: DTS FAQ updated re DTSDec/libdts.
6.27.04: Vorbis Q2 updated with vorbis encoders.
6.27.04: AC3Filter 1.0x information updated in several questions.
9.4.04: AAC FAQ updated re: FAAC: new url, new plugins, *nix build information added.
9.6.04: Added linux questions and information across the board: MP3 Q11, Vorbis Q8, AC3 Q2B & Q19, DTS Q7, and AAC 7B.
9.7.04: Added winLame & HeadAC3he (FAAC) information to AAC Q2.
6.19.05: AAC FAQ additions: Added bond's AAC sticky info, added VBR QT info, added magicclue's guide links.
6.22.05: Added MP4Box splitting to AAC Q10.
10.12.05: Updated DVD-audio information in general, bumped recommended lame version in MP3 section, updated vorbis versions / download links.
2010.10.13 Added FAQ #8 DTS bitrates (tebasuna51)