Question about splitters (AVI and MPEG-I)

[dimtim]

So using graphedit going from an AVI it goes to an AVI splitter to split the audio from the video. Right now it is titled "AVI splitter" and I'm assuming that this is the default microsoft one. In another graph, when going from an mp3 it goes from the mp3 to a filter titled "MPEG-I stream splitter." I'm assuming that this is also the default microsoft splitter. My question is, do I have to use these default splitters or are there other ones out there that are higher quality? If so, could you guys recommend one for AC3 and another one for mp3?

Thanks
Tim

[dimtim]

Still wondering if anyone can clarify this

[Skelsgard]

For the nature of your post I can tell that u´re really new to this so some things should be explained first.
Splitter take the diferent streams within a container and give an output for each to be rendered. AVI, Matroska, OGG, OGM, MP4 and MPG are containers (There might be some others but their not very used) (I think DV is one, not very sure).
When dealing with splitter filters is not an issue of quality since the splitter does non decoding whatsoever but more an issue of how much features the splitter supports. I.e. does it support embedded subtitles within the file or not, or multiple audio streams, etc. Another splitter for AVI wich is really good (as in features) is the Haali Media Splitter wich can handle Matroska, AVI, OGM and MP4.
As for AC3, if within an AVI the "Avi Splitter" can handle and split it, if within MPEG the MPEG Splitter can handle it too (both are Microsoft filters that already come with XP). Other MPEG splitter is the one from Mainconcept (does not support MP3). And of course the ones from Intervideo or Cyberlink.
Don´t know another splitter for MP3.
It´s also important to bear in mind that not all players or splitters support all the features of every container.