what's the best ac-3 encoding software

HI Gerry,

Three encoders were reviewed in June's CV magazine, they were DVD Workshop AC-3, Sonic Vegas 4 + DVD and Surcodes AC-3.
As usual they all have pro's and cons, but I think the one that combines a good price with ease of use and good funtionality is the DVD Workshop AC-3.
This area of video editing is wide open at the moment, I'm not sure if Canopus Edius or the new offering from Adobe, 'Encore' will have AC-3 encoding, but now the race should be on for more companies to include AC-3 as standard.

------------------
Graham

www.innavate.co.uk
(Digital Video Editing, DVD Authoring)

[This message has been edited by GrahamS (edited 07 July 2003).]

Thanks for that Graham
I did read that article but I don't want an authoring program (DVDW or VV) or a plug in for Premiere (Surcode).
I just need a straightforward audio programme that will take a WAV and convert it to high quality AC-3.
Thanks again
Gerry

have a look at http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/userguides/129419.php

I think those 3 option are the only feesible ones at the moment.
I have used the standalone encoder from Besweet (the one which Garry has posted the thread for), and it transcoded a .wav file v.quickly and I imported it into Impression, created a DVD image and burnt the file to disc, however on playback on my Pioneer 515 DVD player as soon as there was sound it froze the playback. Reading a forum on the DVD-rhelp.com website about this very subject concluded that this could also happen with other Pioneer models aswell as other manufacturers! Reliability, as with many other areas of DVD burning is at the moment questionable with this application.
I don't need a DVD authoring program either, but if this is a good reliable way of encoding AC-3 then DVD Workshop is high on my shopping list.
Does anyone else have any views on the availability of an AC-3 encoder or the shortcomings of the Besweet app?

------------------
Graham

www.innavate.co.uk
(Digital Video Editing, DVD Authoring)

[This message has been edited by GrahamS (edited 07 July 2003).]

[This message has been edited by GrahamS (edited 07 July 2003).]

[This message has been edited by GrahamS (edited 07 July 2003).]

maybe a silly question Guys?

But why would you want a stand alone AC-3 encoder - unless you are doing 5 channel surround to be imported into ReeL DVD or a similar programme?

Bill

quote:Originally posted by GrahamS:
I have used the standalone encoder from Besweet (the one which Garry has posted the thread for)...

Hi
I haven't used BeSweet, but I've had a look at the BeSweet pages. Its AC3 encoder is a command line program which sets all the encoding parameters with command line switches, and parameter-setting text files. There are also a GUI add-on that I haven't looked at.
As a user of A Pack (which is an excellent stand-alone program, but Mac-only), which has over 46 user-adjustable presets to be set before you do an encode, I can see that BeSweet seems to cover some of the same ground.
The problem with an unlicensed (by Dolby Digital) program like BeSweet is it cant actually tell you what any of its switches/files actually do - great fun!

quote:Originally posted by billyboy:
maybe a silly question Guys?

But why would you want a stand alone AC-3 encoder - unless you are doing 5 channel surround to be imported into ReeL DVD or a similar programme?

Bill

i think you need ac3 for making a proper ntsc dvd

quote:
Originally posted by billyboy:
maybe a silly question Guys?
But why would you want a stand alone AC-3 encoder - unless you are doing 5 channel surround to be imported into ReeL DVD or a similar programme?

Bill

Gary is spot-on - I can't always fit a full PCM file onto an NTSC dvd

Secondly - I use Storm to encode everything, which it does very well, and Spruce Virtuoso to author everything - which it also does very well. As there is no reason to change either of these I want to be able to encode C-3 seperately

Thanks for the besweet pointer Gary - looks good - although generally I prefer to stay away from Beta.

Otherwise, still looking. I was perhaps hoping that someone like Sonic Foundry or Cool Edit or Sound Forge had something on the go. Money isn't a priority here (well, up to a couple of hundred anyway!)

Cheers
Gerry

quote:Originally posted by gerry roffey:
quote:
Originally posted by billyboy:
maybe a silly question Guys?
But why would you want a stand alone AC-3 encoder - unless you are doing 5 channel surround to be imported into ReeL DVD or a similar programme?

Bill

Gary is spot-on - I can't always fit a full PCM file onto an NTSC dvd

Secondly - I use Storm to encode everything, which it does very well, and Spruce Virtuoso to author everything - which it also does very well. As there is no reason to change either of these I want to be able to encode C-3 seperately

Thanks for the besweet pointer Gary - looks good - although generally I prefer to stay away from Beta.

Otherwise, still looking. I was perhaps hoping that someone like Sonic Foundry or Cool Edit or Sound Forge had something on the go. Money isn't a priority here (well, up to a couple of hundred anyway!)

Cheers
Gerry

there is a 'stable' version available from the homepage , i've just downloaded all of the software linked from the page i gave you.

will have a proper look later on this week

I am fully aware of the NTSC standard for audio on a DVD.

Why not just use DVD WORKSHOP - Import your mpeg 2 file with wave audio and let WORKSHOP do the encoding - If stereo is all you use - IE NOT anymore than that!

For the likes of wedding and event videos WORKSHOP is much more than you would ever need AC-3 upgrade is buttons £130.00 - better than using BETA software - even if it is FREE!

Anyway you get 1 hr 30 mins on a DVD-R with PCM sound - I have had a disc on test in the US - currently played on over 50 machines with no Hikups! yet

bill