eac3to - audio conversion tool

[tebasuna51]

...
Now I am trying to figure out how the mkvmerge portion of the script works. I seem to be having a problem with it. Can anyone help me out. It's a very powerful script at least for my needs.
What is your problem with mkvmerge?

Try this:
for %%a in (*.mkv) do (
"C:\Program Files\eac3to\eac3to.exe" "%%a" 2: "%%a.ac3"
"C:\Program Files\MKVtoolnix\mkvmerge.exe" -o "%%a.AC3.mkv" -d 1 --compression 1:none -A "%%a" -a 0 --compression 0:none "%%a.ac3"
del %%a.ac3
)
pause

[icon]

Try this:
for %%a in (*.mkv) do (
"C:\Program Files\eac3to\eac3to.exe" "%%a" 2: "%%a.ac3"
"C:\Program Files\MKVtoolnix\mkvmerge.exe" -o "%%a.AC3.mkv" -d 1 --compression 1:none -A "%%a" -a 0 --compression 0:none "%%a.ac3"
del %%a.ac3
)
pause


Thanks. The code works, but I need help modifing it. I am new to mkvmerge cli, I ususally use the gui.

Your script removes the dts track. I need the following:
Keep the dts track, mark for english, set as default and make sure no compression is set.
Add the ac3 track, mark for english, no default and make sure no compression is set.
(anything else I am missing)

I think that is it. Thanks for your help.

[tebasuna51]

...
Your script removes the dts track. I need the following:
Keep the dts track, mark for english, set as default and make sure no compression is set.
Using the original mkv like source the defaults and language are preserved. If you want preserve also the the DTS track use:
-d 1 --compression 1:none -a 2 --compression 2:none "%%a"
(also subs and chapters are preserved if any)
Add the ac3 track, mark for english, no default and make sure no compression is set...
If you add a new track isn't marked as default, then you only need:
-a 0 --language 0:eng --compression 0:none "%%a.ac3"

[icon]

Using the original mkv like source the defaults and language are preserved. If you want preserve also the the DTS track use:
-d 1 --compression 1:none -a 2 --compression 2:none "%%a"
(also subs and chapters are preserved if any)

If you add a new track isn't marked as default, then you only need:
-a 0 --language 0:eng --compression 0:none "%%a.ac3"

Thanks again. I was able to figure out the rest of the things I needed based upon your examples and explanations.

[dansrfe]

I get this "Audio overlaps for 157ms at playtime 1:25:08. <WARNING>" and after checking I have found out that eac3to did not fix this delay. What do I do?

[dansrfe]

so I have found out that eac3to only shows a warning for the overlap/delay and does NOT fix it automatically. I ended up extracting both dts-hdma's from their m2ts's and delaying the second one manually then rejoining in eac3to and outputting wavs.

[elmarikon]

Hi to all!
Great tool! Stable, handy functional!

1. I just have some questions about the multichannel to mono wav conversion:
How are the channels mapped?
I guess, I found out, when the Input is 6 or 8 channels, but at the latest when it's about 10 channels, I am not sure anymore...

An idea would be to have a 'numbered output channel' option, so that channel 1 in the source would end up being xxx1.wav in the end?!

2. Would you consider adding 'multiple mono wavs' as input as well? So one could easily re/mux again to multi channel wav / ac3 / ...


:thanks: for all your work!


All the best from Berlin!

[dansrfe]

i dont know about numerical channel mapping however it does say L for left, R for right, LFE for LFE, SR for surround right, and SL for surround left on a 5.1 stream.

[Richard1485]

I am having difficulty downmixing a 5.1 full DTS track (i.e. not HD) to a two-channel PCM wav that I can import to Womble MPEG DVD Wizard. I am using yr_eac3to_more_gui and have been playing with the settings for ages. Eac3to generates files succesfully, but Womble cannot import them, and when I view the files in Mediainfo the details are not as I want them to be. This is what I want the final file to be like:

Bit rate : 1536 Kbps
Codec : PCM
Family : PCM
Info : Microsoft PCM
Bit rate : 1536 Kbps
Channel(s) :2 channels
Sampling rate : 48 KHz
Resolution : 16

[Midzuki]

^ @ Jeff B: try something like this:

eac3to input.dts output.wav -down2 -simple

[Richard1485]

try something like this:
eac3to input.dts output.wav -down2 -simple

Thanks! :) I really appreciate the help. I had to use...

eac3to input.dts output.wav -down16 -down2 -simple

...as it as defaulted to 24bit, but other than it worked perfectly. Womble accepts and plays the file without any problems.

I notice that this defaults to Arcsoft. Would there be any benefit to using Sonic or Nero?

[krosswindz]

This is a n00b question. Eac3to uses flags of -1536/-768 for DTS encoding. DTS.com says legal bitrate is 1509.75 Kbps, are the various representations the same, i.e, does DTS 1536 Kbps = DTS 1510 Kbps = DTS 1509.75 Kbps?

[Lyle_JP]

I hope I'm not asking something that's been asked before, but I didn't see anything on the search (but after 500 pages, who knows). Can eac3to encode DTS at 1,234 kbps (44.1 khz sampling) and wrap it in a PCM stream? I am trying to create a DTS CD.

[Shirtfull]

Copied from the first post on page one.

For DTS encoding you need:
(1) SurCode DVD DTS - version 1.0.21 or newer

[hoju3508]

I think the op wants to create a DTS core track inside a PCM track like the way that DTS-HD MA has a DTS core track.

[Midzuki]

This is a n00b question. Eac3to uses flags of -1536/-768 for DTS encoding. DTS.com says legal bitrate is 1509.75 Kbps, are the various representations the same, i.e, does DTS 1536 Kbps = DTS 1510 Kbps = DTS 1509.75 Kbps?

1509.75 == exact value
1510 == "convenient" approximation
1536 == DTS data plus zero-padding (for SPDIFing as stereo PCM @ 48kHz)

[Lyle_JP]

I think the op wants to create a DTS core track inside a PCM track like the way that DTS-HD MA has a DTS core track.

Not really. I'm trying to create a DTS signal wrapped in a redbook compliant PCM stream exactly like they used to do on laserdiscs and on DTS CDs. All DTS receivers are capable of recognizing these streams, but the DTS stream has to be 1,234 kbps with a 44.1 khz sampling rate or it doesn't work. I'm assuming now that this is probably beyond eac3to's capabilities.

[Midzuki]

I'm trying to create a DTS signal wrapped in a redbook compliant PCM stream exactly like they used to do on laserdiscs and on DTS CDs.

Both Surcode and the DTSHDMAS Encoder can do that.
Why do you want or need eac3to? :confused:

[tebasuna51]

Not really. I'm trying to create a DTS signal wrapped in a redbook compliant PCM stream exactly like they used to do on laserdiscs and on DTS CDs. All DTS receivers are capable of recognizing these streams, but the DTS stream has to be 1,234 kbps with a 44.1 khz sampling rate or it doesn't work. I'm assuming now that this is probably beyond eac3to's capabilities.

Eac3to only can automate the job with SurCode DVD DTS, then only work with 48 KHz and bitrates 1536/768.

With eac3to you can create the 6 monowavs 44.1 KHz and after encode manually with DTS HD Encoder Suite or SurCode CD-DTS (or the new SurCode 5.1 DTS Encoder for DVD & CD)

[tebasuna51]

This is a n00b question. Eac3to uses flags of -1536/-768 for DTS encoding. DTS.com says legal bitrate is 1509.75 Kbps, are the various representations the same, i.e, does DTS 1536 Kbps = DTS 1510 Kbps = DTS 1509.75 Kbps?
Please read the new #8 DTS FAQ (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=424069#post424069)

[krosswindz]

Please read the new #8 DTS FAQ (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=424069#post424069)

Thanks for the detailed explanation.

[_hawk_]

I have a problem to grab the eac3to error output with C# - normal output works fine. Does any1 have an idea how to do this? Might it be possible to add a switch to eac3to to print errors on standard output?

Btw thanks for your great tool!

[iSeries]

Hi,

When downmixing 5.1 FLAC soundtracks to AC3 2.0, what is the optimal bitrate to go for? 192kbps? Or maybe higher?

[tebasuna51]

When downmixing 5.1 FLAC soundtracks to AC3 2.0, what is the optimal bitrate to go for? 192kbps? Or maybe higher?
Is your choice, at least 192 like DVD tracks 2.0, but you can use 224 or 256 also.

[iSeries]

Is it ok to use the -normalize switch when converting to AC3, or is that not recommended?

[tebasuna51]

Is it ok to use the -normalize switch when converting to AC3, or is that not recommended?
Is recommended when downmix.

[iSeries]

Thank you!

Is 256kbps the maximum for 2 channel AC3?

[TinTime]

Is 256kbps the maximum for 2 channel AC3?

No, it's 640 (!).

[iSeries]

I realised that 640 is the max for 5.1 AC3, but did not know that was also the max for 2.0 AC3.

[TinTime]

It's probably complete overkill. I think eac3to defaults to 448 for two channel AC3.

I've seen 640 2.0 AC3 occasionally on Blu-rays though.

[iSeries]

As 640kbps equals 106.66kbps per channel for 5.1 AC3 and is considered transparent enough for most people, then for 2.0 I guess 224kbps should offer similar quality?

[TinTime]

As 640kbps equals 106.66kbps per channel for 5.1 AC3 and is considered transparent enough for most people, then for 2.0 I guess 224kbps should offer similar quality?

Only if each channel is treated equally. I don't know how the bits are distributed so I'm not sure what the 2.0 equivalent would be. I suspect the front centre gets a good chunk of the allocation in a 5.1 stream, and the LFE gets very little.

[Midzuki]

OverSimplification:

640kbps / 5 = 128kbps per channel

[iSeries]

So do not include lfe when working out? So with your method 2.0 AC3 256kbps is equivalent to 5.1 AC3 640kbps in terms of quality?

[Midzuki]

^

So with your method 2.0 AC3 256kbps is equivalent to 5.1 AC3 640kbps in terms of quality?

YES ( or at least the theory says so :devil: :) ).
As TinTime said, the LFE channel consumes a very-very-low bitrate, and this is the reason why we say 5.1 and not simply 6-channel audio.

[flyingernst]

Hi guys...I tink i am not the first how asks, but i didn´t find the answer: is it possible to demux only the forced captures of the PGS Subtitles of "Avatar"?! forced and normal are in the same pgs stream in this movie

Thanks, greetings, Michael

[TinTime]

eac3to tells you about forced subs but no more. You can then use BDSup2Sub to extract the forced subs.

[dansrfe]

eac3to does not fix the delay when I extract wavs from 2 joined m2ts's. It says realizing raw/pcm gaps but that doesn't fix it. Any way to have it auto-fix the delay?

[dansrfe]

Can someone please help me?^

[Thunderbolt8]

in dts master audio suite you can tick the option to display all 7.1 channel layouts. doing so, theres another setup similar to that of "strange setup" 7.1 tracks which has the 2 additional speakers at the front and not at the back (Lw, Rw instead of Lsr and Rsr). how can we actually be sure that these layouts named as "strange setup" by eac3to are that one with the additional 2 channels at the back and not at the front?

[Snowknight26]

2: h264/AVC (left eye), 1080p24 /1.001 (16:9)
3: h264/AVC (right eye), 1080p24 /1.001 (16:9)
Is there supposed to be an extra space before '(left eye)?'

[dansrfe]

So I'm still having the same problem with audio overlaps and eac3to not fixing them automatically. Any switch or option I have to select to have it auto-fix the overlaps? Thanks.

[liquidskin76]

Hi,

Can i clarify how the audio delay is handle when demuxing Blu-ray audio.

Am i right in thinking that the audio delay on DTS-HD is included when demuxing, however on TrueHD it isn't. For TrueHD, the delay required is shown in the filename, and needs to be added when for example you mux using mkvmerge?

Many thanks

[dansrfe]

That's exactly the problem. The delay is not fixed for DTS-HDMA when demuxing or extracting wavs. I always see a list of "Audio overlaps" but eac3to never actually fixes them. Therefore the only way for me to possibly fix them is to extract each and every single dts-hdma file from each of the m2ts files with different delays then join them all together and extract the wavs. I hope there is some switch or something which fixes the delay or it might just be a bug.

[ACrowley]

Hi

Is there any standalone TrueHD+AC3 Joiner besides the eac3to thd+ac3 Function ? Imho it would be nice to have a small App/Gui to join THD and AC3 ?

[Frogger13]

Hi,

just wanted to know if there is a solution to this issue yet cause it's prety annoying :(

Edit: This error happens more often when more that one encoding is in progess (didn't happen in previous versions), CPU load *may* enhance the issue.

neroaacencoder work not more correctly. have anyone an idee whats the problem is?

eac3to v3.24
command line: eac3to.exe "00003 - 3 - DTS Master Audio, English, 5.1 channels, 24 bits, 48kHz.dtsma" "eng.mp4" -288
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DTS Master Audio, 5.1 channels, 24 bits, 48kHz
(core: DTS, 5.1 channels, 24 bits, 1509kbps, 48kHz)
Decoding with ArcSoft DTS Decoder...
Encoding AAC <288kbps> with NeroAacEnc...
The original audio track has a constant bit depth of 24 bits.
The Nero AAC encoder seems to be stuck... <ERROR>
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 0 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 1 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 2 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 3 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 4 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 5 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 6 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 7 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 8 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 9 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 10 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 11 seconds...
.........
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 2848 seconds...
[NeroAacEnc] Processed 2849 seco
Aborted at file position 1506659076. <ERROR>


after abort the file is deleted by eac3to. when i cancel the neroaac-process i keep the mp4 and its playable. sounds good.

[dansrfe]

Calling madshi urgently...

[jd213]

Sorry if this has been asked already...

Is it possible or will it ever be possible for eac3to to make BD compatible Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD streams from HD DVD sources?

I converted the Apollo 13 HD DVD to Blu-ray the other day, but I noticed some static coming out of the surround speakers so I assume the conversion to LPCM using eac3to and Pcm2Tsmu13 wasn't quite perfect.

Even if it's just a placebo effect, I'd rather not have to convert the DD+ and THD streams before re-authoring. Is a parallel ac3 stream all that's needed? If so, could a new version of eac3to allow for encoding this stream?

I'd be willing to make a donation if it will help. Actually, if donations are being accepted I'd like to make one regardless, since I've already gotten plenty of use out of eac3to. I don't see any mention of donations on the first post or on madshi.net, though.

[TinTime]

TrueHD is fine. Just use the following to generate the AC3:

eac3to.exe input.thd output.thd+ac3

I'm not sure why you've got a problem with LPCM though.

[tebasuna51]

...
I converted the Apollo 13 HD DVD to Blu-ray the other day, but I noticed some static coming out of the surround speakers so I assume the conversion to LPCM using eac3to and Pcm2Tsmu13 wasn't quite perfect.
...
Pcm2Tsmu work perfect or don't work at all (if used with incorrect parameters). BTW use .w64 instead LPCM to be load after in tsMuxeR, to avoid the use of incorrect parameters.

Or use the TinTime option.