eac3to - audio conversion tool

[tebasuna51]

@AnryV
The field info at header is useless, any DTS, also the core or with original bitdepth 16 bits, must be decoded to 24 bits to preserve the maximum precision.

The free dts decoders, at least, never read this field to output a bitdepth or other.

[AnryV]

@AnryV
The field info at header is useless, any DTS, also the core or with original bitdepth 16 bits, must be decoded to 24 bits to preserve the maximum precision.

The free dts decoders, at least, never read this field to output a bitdepth or other.
I know. :)
I spoke about core extraction - a procedure at which does not have decoding. I do not understand what for to change something in an original file of a core.

[tebasuna51]

You know, madshi always try to improve the output:)

[killa_kid]

Hey madshi I have a script which parses the output of eac3to to automatically add video/audio information to a database. This worked beautifully up to 3.15. For some reason PHP (the language the script is written in) will not capture any of the output from 3.16. Are you doing something different with the output now? I've tried redirecting output, which didn't work. According to PHP the program has no output, except my command line window says something different :P

Any help would be appreciated, I would like to upgrade if possible

Thanks!

[tebasuna51]

You can use the eac3to parameter:

-log="X:\folder\file.log"

to obtain the output in a logfile.

[buzzqw]

@killa_kid

yep.. i got the same error in my application (but i read stdout)
the last line is truncated :confused:

BHH

[Atak_Snajpera]

That's exactly what I did. Weird. I'll try it again after reinstalling TMT3 and see if it's some sort of conflict. Thanks for the help.
sorry but I forgot that this checkactivate.dll file is also required.

[SomeJoe]

@killa_kid

yep.. i got the same error in my application (but i read stdout)
the last line is truncated :confused:

BHH

Yes, I can confirm the same. I'm using the ShellExecute method from a .NET 2.0 front end, and the last line of eac3to.exe 3.16's output is not present when reading StdOut.

I have reverted to 3.14 for the time being.

[Inspector.Gadget]

sorry but I forgot that this checkactivate.dll file is also required.

Ah, no worries. I gave up and reinstalled but now I'll know for next time. Thank you.

[odin24]

Would demuxing a TrueHD stream, using 384kb/s as the core... as opposed to 640kb/s have a negative effect on the performance of the TrueHD stream?

I often include TrueHD audio on DVD9 recodes, using a 384k core would save some MBs.

Thanks.

[LeXXuz]

You can demux streams by specifying the target as the same type as the source. For example, if track 3 is ac3, 4 is dts...

eac3to.exe source 3: output3.ac3 4: output4.dts

...will demux those tracks.

Got to try that out. :thanks:

[MrVideo]

Here is the situation. I have a transport stream that has three MPEG-2 audio streams that comprise the 6 channels for AC3 encoding. They map as follows:

1) L/R
2) C/LFE
3) LS/RS

How do I tell eac3to to use those three dual channel streams as input to aften AC3 encoding?

Can it even be done?

Thanks.

[Snowknight26]

No, not with eac3to.

[MrVideo]

No, not with eac3to.

Ok, thanks.

Rats!

[rik1138]

Would demuxing a TrueHD stream, using 384kb/s as the core... as opposed to 640kb/s have a negative effect on the performance of the TrueHD stream?

I often include TrueHD audio on DVD9 recodes, using a 384k core would save some MBs.

Thanks.

The core stream shouldn't have any affect on the TrueHD stream at all. Obviously your core stream won't sound quite as good, but if you are playing the THD anyway, that shouldn't matter.

[odin24]

The core stream shouldn't have any affect on the TrueHD stream at all. Obviously your core stream won't sound quite as good, but if you are playing the THD anyway, that shouldn't matter.

Thanks for the clarification.

[DoomBot]

eac3to has used -31db instead of 0db for a while now for that exact reason.. unless something is broken in the latest build, just running the file through eac3to again should set the flag to -31db eventhough eac3to doesn't show it (with -31db and 0db, no dialnorm value is shown)

So can the dialnorm info be restored to the file if eac3to has removed it? How would you restore it if its possible?

[73ChargerFan]

re-rip the audio track

[DoomBot]

re-rip the audio track

re-rip from the file that has no dialnorm info?

[73ChargerFan]

No, from the original source disk, using the option " -keepDialnorm ".

Also, log file created when you ran eac3to will have the dialnorm setting. I don't know of any way to put it back into the stream.

[DoomBot]

No, from the original source disk, using the option " -keepDialnorm ".

Also, log file created when you ran eac3to will have the dialnorm setting. I don't know of any way to put it back into the stream.

Thats what i was asking was a way to put it back into the stream.

[73ChargerFan]

I've looked on the net, and the only thing I can see is convert it to wav, then to ac3 using aften which allows you to set a dialnorm. The discussions about how to determine the appropriate value for dialnorm didn't seem to have a conclusion.

[a4840639]

Mkvmerge will drop the core when input TrueHD, the coreless THD will not be recognized by tsMuxeR，can eac3to adds a function to fix this issue？（Like combine a normal ac3 and a coreless TrueHD into a normal TrueHD)

Additional question
I do think THD has its own bits depth because it is lossless, why don't eac3to show it?

[snpetit]

I'm running Windows 7 x64 RC1 and everything work fine, nero BD/HDDVD plugin, arcsoft, nero aac, surcode...

I have the same problem under Vindows7 x64:
"eac3to doesn't see Nero Audio Decoder (Nero 6 or older). But I have Nero 7.11.10.0 and the Blu-ray/HD-DVD plug-in registered."

Can anybody tell me, how this codecs works under win7 x64.
Thanks in advance! :)

[nurbs]

eac3to supports Nero 6 or older versions. You have Nero 7 which is obviously newer than Nero 6. Nero 7 doesn't work and there is AFAIK no way to make it work with eac3to.

[73ChargerFan]

Nero 7 doesn't work and there is AFAIK no way to make it work with eac3to.
wrong, see the first post

[nurbs]

I mixed up the Nero version numbers, because I always use ImgBurn to write my discs and only have Nero installed for eac3to. In fact I have Nero 7 myself and it works fine. Nero 8 doesn't.

[darthcloud]

I have the same problem under Vindows7 x64:
"eac3to doesn't see Nero Audio Decoder (Nero 6 or older). But I have Nero 7.11.10.0 and the Blu-ray/HD-DVD plug-in registered."

Can anybody tell me, how this codecs works under win7 x64.
Thanks in advance! :)

Should work just fine without special tuning. If this can help I installed Nero 7 micro english from http://updatepack.nl/downloads/nero-lite/nero-7-lite/ instead of the full version and them I registered the BD plugin.

do you use "eac3to -test" to see what eac3to detect?

[buzzqw]

while demuxing an mkv i got this message
Video has a gap of 42 frames at playtime 0:12:49.

what's mean ?

BHH

[Seraphic-]

For best AC3, E-AC3 and AAC decoding you need:
(1) Nero 7 (Nero 8 won't work!)
(2) Nero HD DVD / Blu-Ray plugin

For best DTS decoding you need:
(1) ArcSoft DTS Decoder - version 1.1.0.0 or newer


I have a few DDWAVs to decode and wanted more info about the required programs.

So do you need Ahead Nero 7 Ultra Edition? I mean, what program is needed from the bundle to do the decoding? Also, where do you find the Nero HD DVD / Blu-Ray plugin? Did not see it listed on Nero website as a plugin. Is it for Nero 7?

And is the ArcSoft DTS Decoder part of the Arcsoft Total Media Theater bundle?

[TinTime]

So do you need Ahead Nero 7 Ultra Edition? I mean, what program is needed from the bundle to do the decoding? Also, where do you find the Nero HD DVD / Blu-Ray plugin? Did not see it listed on Nero website as a plugin. Is it for Nero 7?

Yes, you need Nero 7 and the plugin. Not sure which edition of Nero is needed. Unfortunately the plugin is no longer for sale so it doesn't much matter any more though. However eac3to will decode AC3 without Nero using libav. See the first post for madshi's views on the different decoders.

And is the ArcSoft DTS Decoder part of the Arcsoft Total Media Theater bundle?

Yes, it is.

[Seraphic-]

Yes, you need Nero 7 and the plugin. Not sure which edition of Nero is needed. Unfortunately the plugin is no longer for sale so it doesn't much matter any more though. However eac3to will decode AC3 without Nero using libav. See the first post for madshi's views on the different decoders. Yes, it is.

Well, looking over madshi's post about the decoders, and considering I want a perfect bit-for-bit decode of the file, it looks like I would need Nero (E-)AC3/Nero TrueHD and ArcSoft DTS decoders. However, from what you said, seems I can no longer get the required plugin. Am I out of luck? And does anyone know which edition of Nero 7 is needed?

[nurbs]

eac3to uses libav for TrueHD decoding due to the limitations of the nero decoder. AC3 is also no problem and E-AC3 basically works fine with libav. Only the DTS variants are problematic if you don't only want to decode the core.

[Fiffy]

However, from what you said, seems I can no longer get the required plugin. Am I out of luck? And does anyone know which edition of Nero 7 is needed?Any version of Nero 7 should do. I'm using the "Premium" edition. The trick is getting the plugin. BTW, all required functionality is already included in Nero. The plugin is just a registration code that unlocks the functionality.

[Seraphic-]

Any version of Nero 7 should do. I'm using the "Premium" edition. The trick is getting the plugin. BTW, all required functionality is already included in Nero. The plugin is just a registration code that unlocks the functionality.

Is the correct/official name for the plugin "Blu-ray/HD DVD Video Plug-in"?

Also, do you have to install the full Nero 7 "Premium" package for decoding to work?
Or do you know what program(s) are needed for just the AC3, E-AC3 and AAC decoding with eac3to?

[TinTime]

Is the correct/official name for the plugin "Blu-ray/HD DVD Video Plug-in"?

Yes, that's right.

Also, do you have to install the full Nero 7 "Premium" package for decoding to work?
Or do you know what program(s) are needed for just the AC3, E-AC3 and AAC decoding with eac3to?

You just need to install Nero ShowTime, and activate the plug-in.

[codres]

Hi everybody. I was trying to encode a raw pcm file extracted from a bluray and I getting this error message:

eac3to v3.16
command line: F:\BLURAY\INDIAN~1\EAC3TO\EAC3TO.EXE 1_3_audio.raw Indiana -448
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This might be a RAW/PCM file. Trying to figure out the details.
This will probably take a while. Please be patient...
The RAW/PCM file seems to be little endian.
The RAW/PCM file seems to have a bitdepth of 16 bits.
The RAW/PCM file seems to have 6 channels.
RAW/PCM, 5.1 channels, 2:02:32, 16 bits, 4608kbps, 48khz
This audio conversion is not supported. <ERROR>

It's possible that some RAW files aren't supported yet?

[jj666]

Wrong command line, add the file extension: F:\BLURAY\INDIAN~1\EAC3TO\EAC3TO.EXE 1_3_audio.raw Indiana.ac3 -448

Cheers,

-jj-

[codres]

Wow, what a lame I was. I forgot about extension. I'm really ashame...

[Thunderbolt8]

is there a way to use -slowdown for 24fps sources, to slow them down to 23.976fps? it seems that eac3to always automatically assumes the source has 25 fps and it therefore uses a 1,024fps slowdown instead of only 0,024fps. the resulting length in my case is ~5 mins longer, while it should only be ~7 seconds longer.

edit: found a workaround, when I slow it muxed together with the according video file, then its accepted as 24fps input. but what to do in cases I don't have a video file?

[TinTime]

is there a way to use -slowdown for 24fps sources, to slow them down to 23.976fps? it seems that eac3to always automatically assumes the source has 25 fps and it therefore uses a 1,024fps slowdown instead of only 0,024fps. the resulting length in my case is ~5 mins longer, while it should only be ~7 seconds longer.

You can use -changeTo23.976

If you've already demuxed the audio you need to specify the source speed too, like...

eac3to.exe input output -24.000 -changeTo23.976

[Thunderbolt8]

-24.000 after input output? or is it input -24.000 output -changeto23.976, as usual?

[TinTime]

Yes, after input output as above. Maybe it works the other way too - I've never tried it.

[Thunderbolt8]

nope, works only the way you described. thanks ;)

[odin24]

I rencently converted a 25fps DTS-HD MA to 24fps LPCM. The source was 16 bit, the output LPCM was 24 bit. I did not use any extra parameters, except the "-changeto" switch.

I'd just like to understand why it went from 16 bit DTS-HD MA to 24 bit LPCM. If anybody could explain that would be great.

Here's an image of the process... sorry couldn't wait for the log file, on my way to work... :)

EDIT: Oh yeah, I first tried converting to w64. It produced a 16 bit LPCM, but couldn't mux with tsMuxeR, got several sync errors, I used the same convert switch. So I decided to try converting to PCM, everything muxes fine... and here I am.

Thanks.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2599/19527983.jpg

[tebasuna51]

I'd just like to understand why it went from 16 bit DTS-HD MA to 24 bit LPCM. If anybody could explain that would be great.
Easy, the timestretch you make is a lossy conversion then the output can't be exact and is better a 24 bit aproach.
I recommend you convert to ac3 640 Kb/s because you can't preserve the lossless quality.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I first tried converting to w64. It produced a 16 bit LPCM, but couldn't mux with tsMuxeR, got several sync errors, I used the same convert switch. So I decided to try converting to PCM, everything muxes fine... and here I am.
If you have sync problems with w64 you got the same problems with LPCM, the audio data is identical.

[odin24]

Easy, the timestretch you make is a lossy conversion then the output can't be exact and is better a 24 bit aproach.
I recommend you convert to ac3 640 Kb/s because you can't preserve the lossless quality.


If you have sync problems with w64 you got the same problems with LPCM, the audio data is identical.

I believe you when you say they are identical, however, the sync error only occured when muxing with w64, no such error occured while muxing pcm. I don't actually mean "lip sync", I mean the muxing process could not complete because of an error... something about "byte sync error, or something like that.

So, when stretching, or shortening the time it is considered lossy and the LPCM track will not equal the source DTS-HD MA... will it even be close? Wouldn't the LPCM still be better than AC3 @ 640k?

Thanks for your response.

[tebasuna51]

I believe you when you say they are identical, however, the sync error only occured when muxing with w64, no such error occured while muxing pcm. I don't actually mean "lip sync", I mean the muxing process could not complete because of an error... something about "byte sync error, or something like that.
Then seems TsMuxer still don't support w64.

So, when stretching, or shortening the time it is considered lossy and the LPCM track will not equal the source DTS-HD MA... will it even be close?
Yes, but you can't recover the original audio then must be considered lossy.

Wouldn't the LPCM still be better than AC3 @ 640k?
Of course because the uncompressed data in LPCM is the source to encode to ac3, then you add more loss when encode. But the LPCM bitrate is 6912 Kb/s (seems the video :rolleyes: )

[Fiffy]

So, when stretching, or shortening the time it is considered lossy and the LPCM track will not equal the source DTS-HD MA... will it even be close? Wouldn't the LPCM still be better than AC3 @ 640k?Stretching and shortening requires resampling, so yes, it is a lossy operation. But if done right (and I'm sure eac3to does it right) the loss should be minimal and is not comparable to the losses caused by perceptual codecs (whether or not you can actually hear either of them is a different question :)).

If you find the resulting PCM file too large, I would recommend to reduce the word length back to 16 bits (-down16 in eac3to) and then use a lossless compression such as FLAC. Lossy encoding e.g. to AC3 is a much more severe manipulation of the signal.

[Thunderbolt8]

I wonder, does eac3to recognize AC3 4.0 channels correctly as such? what does 4.0 mean, 2 front and 2 rear channels? because eac3to recognized it as 3.1 so there might be a difference? its from an old movie and unfortunately I don't know whether its really supposed to be 2 front 2 rear.