eac3to - audio conversion tool

[cstrikedish]

A great tool! thanks for share!
:thanks:

[madshi]

If nothing else is used in the eac3to command line, which DD+ decoder is used by default?
Sonic.

I have both Sonic 4.2 and Nero (blu-ray & hd-dvd plugin) but I think my Sonic decoders have gone a bit "screwy", even after reinstalling them. If I wish to use the Nero decoder do I have to rename eac3to.exe to recode.exe?
No, that's not necessary. Just use the "-nero" switch.

[Roscoe62]

Well, I finally decided to give up on LPCM. I was finding it too difficult to mux it into anything, so I decided to use flac. Gotta say the procedure is MUCH easier!

Anyway, when it comes to setting up a directshow graph to play back my completed mkv file, for those encoding to flac, what filter is the best to use? I'm currently using ffdshow (although an older version) and it seems to work OK, but I wanted to know if there's anything better out there?

Also, is there any perceived quality difference between keeping 24 bit or downconverting to 16 bit?

As an alternative, is transcoding to a multi-channel wav file a better way to go, quality-wise?

Thanks to Madshi for a truly break-through app! :)

[madshi]

for those encoding to flac, what filter is the best to use? I'm currently using ffdshow (although an older version) and it seems to work OK
I had tried some other decoders, but they didn't even work properly for me at all. I'm using ffdshow, too.

Also, is there any perceived quality difference between keeping 24 bit or downconverting to 16 bit?
I've not really tested that yet. Of course that will also depend on whether the source was 24 bit or not.

As an alternative, is transcoding to a multi-channel wav file a better way to go, quality-wise?
FLAC is lossless, so it's 100% identical to LPCM and to WAV. Basically WAV is the same as LPCM, just with a little header in front of the LPCM data. FLAC is like a zipped WAV.

[musky5789]

Can anyone tell me where i can get "Dump" filter from???

[honai]

Speaking of FLAC, what's the easiest way to transcode FLAC audio streams into separate mono WAVs suitable for feeding into Surcode DTS?

[xkodi]

new CinemasterAudio.dll v4.3.0.169 + SonicHDDemuxer.dll v4.3.0.89 are out (as part of CineVision 2.0.2final).

there are no "discontinuities" errors with the new versions:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1019802#post1019802

and as a result there is no noise when decoding TrueHD, but the output is very different from the old CinemasterAudio.dll v4.3.0.151 + SonicHDDemuxer.dll v4.3.0.73 (part of CineVision 2.0.2beta):

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1019241#post1019241

which is very confusing, because the old version has almost the same output as Nero for "Nine Inch Nails: BYIT bonus TrueHD track" and now it is entirely different:

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/371/ninsonicnewwo9.png (http://imageshack.us)

and the "Vendetta TrueHD stream" output is no more 16bit, but seems more like 8bit:

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/6397/sonicvendnewhq8.png (http://imageshack.us)

the big surprise is that after overwriting of the new DLLs with the old ones, there is again no noise and the output is byte by byte identical, so maybe some registry settings are affecting the behavior of the Sonic codec, but i haven't time to dig deeper and find out what is really going on.

[madshi]

Can anyone tell me where i can get "Dump" filter from???
It comes with GraphEdit.

[madshi]

new CinemasterAudio.dll v4.3.0.169 + SonicHDDemuxer.dll v4.3.0.89 are out (as part of CineVision 2.0.2final).

there are no "discontinuities" errors with the new versions:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1019802#post1019802

and as a result there is no noise when decoding TrueHD
That's extremely strange cause I still have noise with the same dlls!!

and the "Vendetta TrueHD stream" output is no more 16bit, but seems more like 8bit
How does it sound? Does the WAV look and sound alright?

[xkodi]

That's extremely strange cause I still have noise with the same dlls!!How does it sound? Does the WAV look and sound alright?

madshi, both TrueHD tracks sound completely normal and the fact, that you are experiencing noise with the new Sonic DLLs and that here even after deletion of the new DLLs and going back to the old ones i don't have noise is more than extremely strange, i don't know and i am really running out of ideas what is going on...

P.S. i'm comparing part of Nine Inch Nails track with a lot of drums and Sonic even sounds much better than Nero, at least in my opinion.

[edit] and with Vendetta track: Nero output is very bad - the voices are low and unclear, with Sonic the voices are very clear and the volume is much pleasant than the Nero.

[ACrowley]

That's extremely strange cause I still have noise with the same dlls!!


How does it sound? Does the WAV look and sound alright?

I have still noise to ! on demuxed .mlp and evo

[madshi]

@xkodi, what magic did you do? :) Did you do anything else besides running the installer and copying the new dlls over the old ones in the "common" folder?

[ACrowley]

I think hes only overwritten the 4.3 over 4.2 after installation

Its not possible to reg the 4.3 Decoders manually, you will get a Error

I dont know, ive the Feeling the noise has to do with LFE.
When the TrueHD Track starts ,without LFE Effects its clean until LFE Effects come in

Maybe its a simple Registry Settting

However, i have still noise with 4.3 and TrueHD. Encoded mlp from Surcode works perfect
But now i have succes to connect to dts and dts hd ,but Sonic decodes only the core:
mpc player properties :Audio: PCM (DTS) 48000Hz 6ch 1509Kbps [Output])

[Nikos]

I convert DD+ to AC3 with eac3to. I want to know more about -down16 downconvert raw data to 16 bit.
When i must to use it?

[madshi]

I convert DD+ to AC3 with eac3to. I want to know more about -down16 downconvert raw data to 16 bit.
When i must to use it?
You are not forced to use it - ever. You *can* use it if you want to save space when doing FLAC encoding. The size difference between 16bit and 24bit with FLAC encoding is quite big. Of course the audio quality suffers a bit. But only if you have good ears and a good receiver and good boxes etc...

Do *NOT* use "-down16" for AC3 and DTS encoding because there's no benefit in doing that. There's neither an advantage in size nor in sound quality.

[Nikos]

Thank you madshi for the precious explain.

[xkodi]

@xkodi, what magic did you do? :) Did you do anything else besides running the installer and copying the new dlls over the old ones in the "common" folder?

it's not a magic i found the reason: i don't know why but "Control Panel -> Sounds and Audio Devices -> Volume -> Speaker Settings -> Speakers -> Speaker Setup" was changed from "5.1 surround sound speakers" to "Desktop stereo speakers":

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/3969/spkyh4.png (http://imageshack.us)

when i set it back to "5.1 surround sound speakers" the noise is back, so at least Sonic can decode first 2 channels without noise and now we know how to make it to do that.

[madshi]

when i set it back to "5.1 surround sound speakers" the noise is back
Too bad.

But it may explain why Sonic didn't notice the bug: Most people only have stereo speakers on their desktop!

so at least Sonic can decode first 2 channels without noise and now we know how to make it to do that.
Right. When will version 4.4 come? :)

[xbox360]

Did you know that Dolby TrueHD is Dolby MLP Lossless, so if you have the SurCode MLP Lossless encoder you have Dolby TrueHD encoder !.

[SBeaver]

I'm getting some type of error when trying to convert eac3 with sonic decoder.
Apparently the dump filter doesn't work, or sonic doesn't work.
This was on Vista x64 (sonic worked ok with xp x64)
Sonic and dump filter show up in dshow filter manager so that's not the problem.
I can't test Nero right now because I havn't bought the plugin.

[madshi]

Did you know that Dolby TrueHD is Dolby MLP Lossless, so if you have the SurCode MLP Lossless encoder you have Dolby TrueHD encoder !.
TrueHD is based on MLP, but has some extensions, also the header is slightly different. So no, the SurCode MLP encoder is not a TrueHD encoder. And the decoders behave differently for MLP and TrueHD. E.g. Sonic's latest decoder adds ugly noise when decoding TrueHD but it perfect with MLP.

[madshi]

I'm getting some type of error when trying to convert eac3 with sonic decoder.
Apparently the dump filter doesn't work, or sonic doesn't work.
This was on Vista x64 (sonic worked ok with xp x64)
Sonic and dump filter show up in dshow filter manager so that's not the problem.
I can't test Nero right now because I havn't bought the plugin.
Which Sonic version are you using? What do you mean with "some type of error"? Some more details about the error would be helpful. Do you think it's a problem with eac3to? Or does it also occur in GraphEdit?

[SBeaver]

Which Sonic version are you using? What do you mean with "some type of error"? Some more details about the error would be helpful. Do you think it's a problem with eac3to? Or does it also occur in GraphEdit?

I'd say the problem must be with the sonic filter.
The error message was something about dump filter unable to... something. It created an empty file that is.
I can't put graphedit together at all because I don't have the right splitters apparently. (sonic audio decoder is available there though)
Maybe this problem went off topic now, what I meant to ask was if there are any compatbillity problems with vista x64 and dump and sonic or maybe eac3to.

I have version 4.2 btw, worked well in xp but not in vista x64.

[eas4uk]

Has anyone had the "demuxer didnt accept the source file" error message before? When its trying to mux the eac3 file to raw?

I'm getting this now - I've used evodemux to join the two feature.evo s together and then demuxed the audio, renamed to filename.eac3 and then used the eac3to gui as I have loads of times before and I'm now suddenly getting this error...

Any ideas? Its definitely a DD+ track 1.5mbps bitrate btw

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

D:\Audio>"D:\Audio\eac3to.exe" "D:\Audio\Black.eac3" "D:\Audio\Black.ac3" -640

E-AC3, 5.1 channels, 1:55:33, 1536kbit/s, 48khz
Muxing eac3 file to raw. Please wait...
The demuxer didn't accept the source file.

D:\Audio>

[madshi]

That's a bit strange since eac3to seems to recognize the file just fine. Please try to rename the file to black.ddp. Does that help? Also please try whether the Sonic HD demuxer accepts this file in GraphEdit, if you know how to use GraphEdit. Maybe uninstalling and reinstalling the Sonic filters work. That has fixed some problems in the past.

[eas4uk]

Renaming got the same result

I'm a bit of a noob with graphedit but i have tried

file source (async) >> Sonic HD Demuxer
&
file source (async) >> Sonic audio decoder

and both time graph edit states that a connection cant be created

I'll try uninstalling sonic and reinstalling and post back shortly

Edit:

Nope that hasn't solved it either :(

[madshi]

file source (async) >> Sonic HD Demuxer
That's the correct thing to do. If the Sonic HD Demuxer refuses to accept the eac3 file, there's probably something wrong with the Sonic installation or something like that.

[eas4uk]

I've uninstalled and reinstalled sonic and still the problem remains

Any other suggestions Madshi?

[The_Keymaker]

@eas4uk

Instead of demuxing the audio track from the joined feature evos, try using EVOdemux to just demux the audio tracks by themselves.

That is, in EVOdemux, unselect everything except the audio track you desire, and then demux. As long as you have the "continue with second evo" box checked under options, EVOdemux will demux the desired audio track for the entire movie.

The_Keymaker

[Wilbert]

Renaming got the same result

I'm a bit of a noob with graphedit but i have tried

file source (async) >> Sonic HD Demuxer
&
file source (async) >> Sonic audio decoder

and both time graph edit states that a connection cant be created
I've got the same problem (with input *.mlp). I'm using Sonic CinePlayer HD DVD Decoder v4.2, but i've no idea where to get/buy v4.3. I can't find it on http://www.sonic.com/products/Consumer/ :confused:

[eas4uk]

@The Keymaker

Just tried that - same problem I'm afraid

[eas4uk]

I've got the same problem (with input *.mlp). I'm using Sonic CinePlayer HD DVD Decoder v4.2, but i've no idea where to get/buy v4.3. I can't find it on http://www.sonic.com/products/Consumer/ :confused:

I've just tried 4.3 but that wont work either.

[SBeaver]

[QUOTE=eas4uk;1024784]I've just tried 4.3 but that wont work either

There is a link for 4.3 below - but just a warning: I didnt post that so I cant verify the source (i just googled it and came across it)

*link removed*
This version seems to have helped my problem, but I think it's against the rules to post links like that.

graphedit was very happy with this version. the only problem now is I have to use haali instead of the sonic hd demuxer to play in MPC because sonic demuxer breaks video and gives me green blocks all over.

edit:sorry removed

[eas4uk]

Apologies for the link - mods can you please remove the link from the above quote

many thanks

eas4uk

[madshi]

I've uninstalled and reinstalled sonic and still the problem remains

Any other suggestions Madshi?
You may want to try orbitlee's filter. It can replace the Sonic HD Demuxer. You can tell eac3to to use orbitlee's filter instead of the Sonic HD Demuxer. However, I rather guess that if the Sonic HD Demuxer won't work, the Sonic Audio Decoder probably won't work, either.

I've got the same problem (with input *.mlp). I'm using Sonic CinePlayer HD DVD Decoder v4.2, but i've no idea where to get/buy v4.3. I can't find it on http://www.sonic.com/products/Consumer/
Currently the only way to get the Sonic v4.3 filters is through Sonic Cinevision 2.0.2. It's rather expensive, though! Hopefully they'll soon update their much cheaper Decoder set which you can buy separately. I believe only v4.3 supports MLP files. With v4.2 you're out of luck, IIRC.

[eas4uk]

Ok so im sure its my Sonic set up now as installed everything onto my laptop last night and tried it and it worked fine on there...

So why wont it work on the PC after I uninstall and reinstall - is there some registry settings that I need to delete after the uninstall to completely wipe it from the system???

[ACrowley]

try to install 4.1 Package, then 4.2 over it

I had same Problems...

[xkodi]

I believe only v4.3 supports MLP files. With v4.2 you're out of luck, IIRC.

4.2.0.840 also works with MLP, it's the first version, that i know to work with MLP, the previous 4.2.0.102 version doesn't work with MLP.

[otaku975]

whats the right extension for TRUEHD track ?
.dts ?

thanks

[madshi]

whats the right extension for TRUEHD track ?
.dts ?
Definitely not .dts. Maybe using .mlp would make sense. Or maybe .thd. Don't know if there is an "official" extension for TrueHD tracks yet. Personally, I'm using .thd.

[eas4uk]

try to install 4.1 Package, then 4.2 over it

I had same Problems...

Right then - against ACrowley's advice, I have just done a fresh install of XP and after installing all progs, filters, codecs etc...

The problem is still here!

So, after some head scratching, I deregistered the dtsac3source.ax file I'd previously registered when installing everything, and presto! Sonic is working again!

Edit: spoke to soon - D'oh forgot I need that filter to convert eac3 to ac3 - Anybody know why this filter is giving me grief then - Sonic wont work after I reinstall so its definitely this

[topace1]

Hi Madshi,

I'm glad that I have found this tool from here. I tried it by using command line "eac3to source.eac3 target.ac3", but got error message "Parsing of Dolby Digital headers failed". I'm a newbie, I don't know what the problem is and how to solve it.

The eac3 file was extracted from a mkv video using mkvextract.exe ("mkvextract tracks xxxx.mkv --raw 2:xxxx.eac3").

I'm using Windows XP Sp2, and have "Sonic HD Demuxer", "Sonic Audio Decoder 4.2" and "Dump" filter installed.

Thank you!

[madshi]

I tried it by using command line "eac3to source.eac3 target.ac3", but got error message "Parsing of Dolby Digital headers failed".
Are you sure that this file is really a eac3 track? Maybe it's something else? What happens if you drop the mkv file into the "mkvtoolnix" tool? What audio track type does that tool report?

[eas4uk]

Right then - against ACrowley's advice, I have just done a fresh install of XP and after installing all progs, filters, codecs etc...

The problem is still here!

So, after some head scratching, I deregistered the dtsac3source.ax file I'd previously registered when installing everything, and presto! Sonic is working again!

Edit: spoke to soon - D'oh forgot I need that filter to convert eac3 to ac3 - Anybody know why this filter is giving me grief then - Sonic wont work after I reinstall so its definitely this

is there a different filter I can try instead of the dtsac3source.ax ?

Madshi - How would I go about using Orbitlee opposed to Sonic btw?

[madshi]

Madshi - How would I go about using Orbitlee opposed to Sonic btw?
See first post in this thread.

[ACrowley]

Hi Madshi,

I'm glad that I have found this tool from here. I tried it by using command line "eac3to source.eac3 target.ac3", but got error message "Parsing of Dolby Digital headers failed". I'm a newbie, I don't know what the problem is and how to solve it.

The eac3 file was extracted from a mkv video using mkvextract.exe ("mkvextract tracks xxxx.mkv --raw 2:xxxx.eac3").

I'm using Windows XP Sp2, and have "Sonic HD Demuxer", "Sonic Audio Decoder 4.2" and "Dump" filter installed.

Thank you!

Remember there a few Formats which ar not working anymore after demuxing from mkv. To bad.
WVC1 Video, FLAC Audio...Perhaps EAC3 cant be used anymore too, after demuxing

I will try it

EDIT
I found a working Way how to demux EAC3 from mkv. Use Avimux 1.17.7
Select "extarct Binary" and you will get a full working EAC3

[topace1]

Are you sure that this file is really a eac3 track? Maybe it's something else? What happens if you drop the mkv file into the "mkvtoolnix" tool? What audio track type does that tool report?

mkvtoolnix shows it's e-ac3. maybe something is wrong with this file, because i tried another file, it worked! so everything is fine. Thanks for your kind reply!

Remember there a few Formats which ar not working anymore after demuxing from mkv. To bad....

I found a working Way how to demux EAC3 from mkv. Use Avimux 1.17.7
Select "extarct Binary" and you will get a full working EAC3


Thank you for the information. I'm newbie in this area and learning. I will try Avimux.

[eas4uk]

See first post in this thread.

Where do I download the orbitlee filter - ive googled it but not coming up with much :confused:

[arty]

can somebody just summarize all the above?

like:
5.1 TrueHD track -> nero filters(all version?) -> DRC applied, not recommended
5.1 TrueHD track -> sonic filters(version?) -> noise, only 2.0, not recommended
5.1 TrueHD track -> no possible conversion without DRC

5.1 DD+ track -> nero filters(all version?) -> DRC applied, not recommended
5.1 DD+ track -> sonic filters(version?) -> perfect output
5.1 DD+ track -> sonic filters(version?) are highly recommended

?

or at least can somebody pls correct/finish my example?

Thank you!

[xkodi]

can somebody just summarize all the above?

like:
5.1 TrueHD track -> nero filters(all version?) -> DRC applied, not recommended
5.1 TrueHD track -> sonic filters(version?) -> noise, only 2.0, not recommended
5.1 TrueHD track -> no possible conversion without DRC

5.1 DD+ track -> nero filters(all version?) -> DRC applied, not recommended
5.1 DD+ track -> sonic filters(version?) -> perfect output
5.1 DD+ track -> sonic filters(version?) are highly recommended

?

or at least can somebody pls correct/finish my example?

Thank you!

Nero filters:

- Nero Audio Decoder 2 (NeAudio2.ax)
- Nero File Source Async. (NeFileSourceAsync.ax)
- Nero Splitter Filter (NeSplitter.ax)

all 3 files from the same Nero version has same versions:

1) 4.9.4.1 (Nero version 7.8.5.0)
2) 4.10.5.0 (Nero version 7.9.6.0)
3) 4.11.3.1 (Nero version 7.10.1.0)

all versions of Nero filters, behave exactly the same with MLP and TrueHD tracks

Sonic filters:

- Sonic HD Audio Decoder (CinemasterAudio.dll)
- Sonic HD Demuxer (SonicHDDemuxer.dll)

0) CinemasterAudio.dll v4.2.0.102, SonicHDDemuxer.dll v4.2.0.61
1) CinemasterAudio.dll v4.2.0.840, SonicHDDemuxer.dll v4.2.0.59
2) CinemasterAudio.dll v4.3.0.151, SonicHDDemuxer.dll v4.3.0.73
3) CinemasterAudio.dll v4.3.0.169, SonicHDDemuxer.dll v4.3.0.89

0) is from "Sonic CinePlayer HD-DVD Decoder v4.2" and as far as i know is the first version capable of DD+ decoding, but can't decode MLP and TrueHD tracks
1) is from "Sonic CineVision v1.2"
2) is from "Sonic CineVision 2.0.2beta"
3) is from "Sonic CineVision 2.0.2final"
all 1)-3) can decode MLP and TrueHD tracks

5.1 TrueHD track -> Nero filters, all versions -> DRC applied, not recommended
MLP track in EVOB -> Nero filters, all versions -> perfect output
raw MLP track -> Nero filters, all versions -> doesn't work

5.1 TrueHD track -> Sonic filters, versions 1)-3) -> noise, only 2.0, not recommended
MLP track in EVOB -> Sonic filters, versions 1)-3) -> perfect output
raw MLP track -> Sonic filters, versions 1)-3) -> perfect output

5.1 TrueHD track -> no possible conversion without DRC
MLP track in EVOB and raw MLP track -> perfect output is possible

i don't have experience with DD+, so someone else should tell.