5.1 Options (AC3, AAC, Vorbis)

[Emp3r0r]

I'm concerned with high quality surround soundtracks. I've always used AC3 for any backup > 2 CDs and love the quality and compatability. Now that I will have a nForce AC3 encoder, any format will be possible (in theory) since the nForce board will just re-encode back to AC3. (YAY, one wire hookup!)

I'm always looking for ways to get better quality out of my backups and I was thinking of using lower bitrate AAC for my soundtracks.

So, anybody have any experience with AAC 5.1 or Vorbis 5.1 soundtracks?

If you do, please comment. Thanks

[DSPguru]

in my belief, this is the current sound quality for 5.1 :
#1 aac
#2 ac3
#3 vorbis


BUT, if you're thinking of going thru
ac3 decoder (azid) ->
aac encoder (aacenc) ->
aac decoder (faad) ->
ac3 encoder (nForce) ->
ac3 decoder (your reciever)

i would suggest that you give it another thought.

[MaTTeR]

AAC better than AC3? Interesting. Now I really am eager to do some retesting.

Personally, I'd stick with AC3 for the time being. AAC has playback and muxing issues right now so it might be a little immature. Same goes for Vorbis 5.1, no real reason to use it until we get full channel coupling or similar.

If space and quality is a concern then I'd use SoftEncode to take a 448kbps file down to something around 256kbps. The quality is still outstanding with no visible artifacts to my ears. Just my 2 cents.

[Emp3r0r]

ac3 decoder (azid) ->
aac encoder (aacenc) ->
aac decoder (faad) ->
ac3 encoder (nForce) ->
ac3 decoder (your reciever)


Yea, thats some hefty transcoding going on. Looks like i should just stick with the original AC3 file and forget all that extra processing... especially since I won't have to modify the original file at all.

If space and quality is a concern then I'd use SoftEncode to take a 448kbps file down to something around 256kbps. The quality is still outstanding with no visible artifacts to my ears.

I'll have to try this... if my ears can't tell, then it doesn't matter. I plan on giving the other options a try too just so I can report back. Now to find an evaluation version of SoftEncode...

[SkaDood1]

I got my copy of SoftEncode off of
I think I found it by searching google.
Take a search and Im sure youll find it.

BTW, what is the nforce ac3 encoder? Is it a PCI card? An external hardware? Or what?

[MaTTeR]

Do NOT post warez links in this forum:angry: Read the rules!

[Emp3r0r]

BTW, what is the nforce ac3 encoder?

It is in the southbridge chip of nvidias nforce chipset. Read about motherboards to learn more.

BTW: I did some comparison tests of my older 2cd Matrix backup against my DVD today using my brothers projector @ 800 x 600 resolution. Lets just say it was pretty awesome. His theater setup is why I have to have my 5.1 AC3 sound. Here is a picture of the dark room with it projected on the wall.

http://www.jvance.com/images/matrix.jpg

Enjoy