Creating AC3 Files

I am authoring DVD's and am working with Final Cut 4.5 (which comes with Compressor 1.2) and DVD Studio Pro 3. So this means I do not have the new AC3 converter that comes bundled with FCP Studio and Compressor 2.0. I have been using A.Pack and it barely works, I heard that they don't even make it anymore and its been replaced by the Compressor AC3 functionality.
So, short of buying a PC, does this mean I HAVE to buy Final Cut Studio if I want to be able to encode AC3 files?? Are there any other programs out there that do it?
I would greatly appreciate any tips!

o this means I do not have the new AC3 converter that comes bundled with FCP Studio and Compressor 2.0. I have been using A.Pack and it barely works, I heard that they don't even make it anymore and its been replaced by the Compressor AC3 functionality.< </div>
The AC3 convertor in DVDSP3 works fine, it's just not very intuitive. All the control you need is available, if you can figure it out, and the results are excellent; good size, great fidelity.
What specifically are you having trouble with?
You can drop into the DVDSP forum and search for AC3 and Apack. Lots of good advice and lots of sympathetic kvetching.
bogiesan

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Compressor on Intel Macs create byte reversed AC3 files

A co-vendor's MUXing application is unable to recognize my .ac3 file created by Compressor. I have a file inspection application from Manzanita Systems that also fails to recognize the .ac3 file.
I found this on the web:
- - - - - - - - - - - QUOTE - - - - - - - - - - -
another user had a problem with an AC3 recently as well. In that case the file was created with a wrong (well, it's not actually wrong but it's unusual for Intel PCs) byte order which makes it impossible for ProEx to handle the file. DVD Studio Pro sees it just fine.
If you've got a hex viewer you could find out by yourself. The first two bytes of an AC3 must be 0B 77. If they are shown the other way around then the byte order has to be changed.
- - - - - - - - - - - QUOTE - - - - - - - - - - -
I looked at my .ac3 file with a hex editor and it starts with 77 0B.
Then I looked at an .ac3 file that I created with Compressor on a G5 in back in October '06. It began with 0B 77. It was also recognized by Manzanita's MPEG-ID application.
I can't find anything on Apple's website regarding this issue. No Knowledge Base article; no update; nothing.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Anyone using the latest version of Compressor on an Intel based Mac to create AC3 files having problems sending them out to people who are NOT using DVD Studio Pro to handle the files further?
THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOW.
AND...
see this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3394982&#3394982
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4) + stuff
PBG4 Mac OS X (10.4)

I'm afraid you're right.
I just created a brand new DVDSP test project. The three new files created with Compressor work. The same files that didn't work in the project where they were PPC created AC3 files.
I was lost in many possibilities, since I had also notice that if I go in DVD SP 4 Preferences, in "Simulator" (I'm french and I don't know its real name in english...) then in "output of player" (same for my french translation) in "Audio" and that I select "numerical output - sp/dif" I have no sound played. If I select "Integrated output" then I can hear back my ac3 created with Intel Compressor.
On this same computer, with my other project, AC3 PPC created or recently created on my Mac Pro with my old A.Pack software (from DVDStudio pro 2 or 3, I think), are read without difference between these two outputs.
Finally, Do you suggest me to re-encode all my files ? or should I use A.pack instead of Compressor - maybe Apple Developpers will correct it one day ?
I'm also upset because, I has a .DTS from a trailer that was accepted and perfectly integrated in my previous DVDSP version, and that I can't use anymore !

How do I create a DVD from existing M2V and AC3 files?

I have previously used Compressor 4 to render a M2V file and an AC3 file from which I burned a DVD 'job'. Now, a week later, I wish to go back and burn another DVD from these files, (without rendering them again). How do I use these EXISTING files to create another DVD (using Compressor 4)?
Thanks,
Geoff

If you anticipate that you may need multiple disks, the way to do it is to select Hard Drive as your output device/ That makes a disk image, from which you can burn multiple copies.
WIth the separate files already created, you could bring them into an authoring program like Toast. But if you want to re-use them in Compressor, I think your only option is to multiplex them in something like MPEG STreamclip and bring the new file back into Compressor.
Probably easier to redo the Compressor job with the original source.
Russ

How to create Bluray compliant 5.1 AC3 file for Encore CS6?

I've made every version of a surround AC3 file I can think of - out of Premiere, Compressor, Vegas, BeSweet - and however I import it into a Bluray project in Encore CS6 it gets transcoded to stereo (though set to 'Don't Transcode'). What is going on?? I've read all round this and no workflow variation works. Yet the same AC3 used in an Encore DVD project is correctly encoded as a 5.1 disk. And Vegas will happily make a 5.1 Bluray with the same source source material. Help, please!

Check this thread:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/1890573#1890573
There are some other threads that explore other issues.
Edit: http://forums.adobe.com/message/5648720#5648720

OK, I have a .mov and .ac3 file output by Compressor. How do I make a DVD from these?

I'd like to use Toast 8 but I don't know where to drag the files...Toast help is no help at all...

First off, you should have compressor turn your .mov into an mpeg-2 file with an .ac3 file. Once you've done this, you simply select the Video button in Toast (I'm on Toast 10, but I think 8 was the same). Next select your Menu style from Toast and type in your DVD name. Finally drag your mpeg-2 file over into the Toast window. It will then ask you "do you have audio for this file?". Drag the .ac3 file over and have it burn the DVD. If you've done everything correctly it shouldn't re-encode your video, but simply add the menu to your already encoded files.
As an alternative, you could have Toast do the encoding as well. If you choose this route, you simply drag your original .mov video file over to the Video window. At this point there are some choices you need to make about how Toast will do the encoding. This way takes longer as Toast has to encode both your video and the menu you created.

Not importing 5.1 AC3 File

Dear sir,
I Have 5.1 AC3 File which can not import in the Encore DVD 1.5
It showing message " This kind of software not support the multichannel audio" But when i creat 5.0 ac3 (when i off LFE that is subwoofer)
then it import the file. another thing is that the 5.1 file playing in powerdvd software perfactley.
Please reply me

I used Cakewalk Sonar software
Is this make any diffrence that i use AC3 file 44 khz instead of 48 khz

Source Timecode not preserved when making AC3 file

First of all, this is my first time using Compressor so it is very likely that I have overlooked the obvious!
I have created an AC3 Dolby Digital file in 5.1 from 6 wav files.
All has gone well and I can successfully create the file and play it back, when reimported, via the preview window.
My original 6 wav files all contain identical source timecodes.
The resulting AC3 file does not appear to have preserved the source timecode.
The preview window displays the timecode as starting from 00.00.00.00
I have also imported the AC3 file into Final Cut Pro and confirmed that the timecode starts at Zero.
My six original WAV files definitely have timecode.
I cannot find any setting in Compressor that will let me alter the resulting file's timecode.
If anybody could tell me what I have done wrong I would be very grateful.
Thanks in advance
Adam

Having done a bit more investigation, I have found that AC3 files can have timecode embedded in them.
Unfortunately Compressor does not preserve the source timecode but writes it's own, starting at 00.00.00.00
Dolby Media Encoder SE (from Dolby) does give you the ability to preserve the source timecode - as do a couple of other programs - but they tend to be very expensive!
I am not sure but I think that Final Cut Pro does not recognise the source timecode of an AC3 file - maybe that's why the option is not given in Compressor ?
Thanks
Adam

HELP! AC3 Files from compressor (FCS2) in MPEG Streamclip!

I'm having a problem - I'm creating 5.1 AC3 audio files with Soundtrack Pro/Compressor. The files are playing back fine, but when I import them into MPEG Streamclip, it is not recognized. Normal (downloaded AC3 files from Dolby, etc) work fine - it must be a setting I am using, but I have tried everything. Has anyone ever had this problem? I've got a project due that I need to be able to stitch together MPG video with AC3 5.1 audio into one MPG2. So far, streamclip is all I have found to do this...I am using Final Cut Studio 2. Any help is SO appreciated!!

Aaah, I wish I could help! I have exactly the same problem! I was going to post about it, but since there's this workaround, I didn't want to take up bandwidth with a problem that was not a total showstopper.
Indeed. I have stopped doing what I used to do before. Before, I used to select "All" in compressor - the files generated were the video, the aiff, and the ac3. Well after burning a few coasters through DVDSP 4.1 where there was picture but no sound, I realized that I needed to drag the aiff file to compressor again, and use that - at that point everything is fine. So, right now, my workflow is to export just the video from FCP through compressor, let it encode. Then export the aiff separately and encode it to a3 in compressor, then import the video and ac3 to DVDSP for good results. In short, no more exporting "All" from FCP through compressor, it's a waste of time.
But as to why, I have no idea, and I'm eager to hear what folks have to say! Anyhow, just letting you know you are not alone. Btw. my set up is: FCP 4.5 HD, compressor 2.1 and DVDSP 4.1.0... what's yours?

Re-burn a DVD from .m2v and .ac3 files

Can someone explain to me if one can re-burn a DVD from Compressor after you've created the .m2v (mpeg-2) and .AC3 (dolby audio) files?
Here is my problem. I create a DVD with Compressor and have both the .m2v and .ac3 files on my drive. I'd like to save these and not have to re-compress the original ProRes file all over again and just burn these again to another DVD in the future.
How do you do that? Do you need another program to do this?
Any help appreciated!

No. Compressor can't use the elementary streams to build a DVD.
To burn multiple DVDs, save to a disk image (Output Device = Hard Drive) and burn that from that in Disk Utility.
Russ

Lost my m2v and ac3 files and want to recosntruct from a final DVD

I lost the compressed files m2v and wav that I used to generate a menu driven DVD at the time I was using a Windows based PC (I used Pinnacle Impression with a menu to generate the final DVD.
Now I no longer use this PC and made the big step to the Mac world in buying a MacPro with FinaCutPro and DVD STudio Pro. The only thing I have left is the final DVD with its usual contents (VOB files).
Is it possible to find a way to import the VOB files (with the sound) into DVD Studio Pro, split it by Chapter and re-create a brand new menu ? Or using Compressor or FCP in intermediate steps before using DVD Studio Pro ?

Francois:
Is it possible to find a way to import the VOB files (with the sound) into DVD Studio Pro, split it by Chapter and re-create a brand new menu ?
You can use * MPEG Streamclip * to extract the original m2v and ac3 files from the VOB file without any quality loose, and use such files in a new DVDSP project. You'll have to rebuild your menus and navigation.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

How to Add .m2v and .ac3 files in encore?

I am doing my HD post in FCP and creating .m2v and .ac3 files using compressor. I would like to burn my DVDs in encore to try out blu-ray DVDs. How do I add separate .ac3 and .m2v files in encore?
Thanks

They get created as separate files originally. Just Import both and add each to the timeline.

How to burn blu ray disc with H264 files and ac3 files?

Hello,
I have tried many times to burn a bluray disc with FCP and compressor and they always end up not successful. After spending days on testing different settings, I finally managed to only get it to work if I tried
1) outputting to Hard drive as opposed to burn to bluray
2) Turning the default bit rate down from 35Mbits to between 15-19Mbits.
Then I used either disk utility or toast to burn the disc image onto the Bluray disc.
I have however on a recent job forgotten to switch the setting on compressor to output to harddisk and instead set it to burn to Blu-ray. Big mistake. Again I end up with a h264 file and an ac3 file, and nothing I can do with them after 24 hours of rendering. Oddly, the compressor says "successful" but nothing is created but that 2 files.
My question is (before I restart the whole 24hr rendering process again) - is there anyone who can help me use the .264 file and the ac3 file and create the blu-ray disc with the menus again without having to re-render all over again? I have not been able to find anyone to provide me with a solution or find any where online that helps with that.
Desperately ...
Yee-wei

Hello,
Sorry but the instructions in the manual (online and offline) do not answer my question. Yes I do have a bluray burner, it is a matsushita BD-MLT SW-5584. I wrote in my post that when I set it to output to HardDrive, it will create a dmg file nicely for me to burn using disk utility or toast.
But when set it to burn to Bluray disc, nothing gets done. I just want to find out, with the h264 file and the ac3 file that gets created in the process of creating the dmg file, can I still burn the disc or create a dmg file from them without having to re-render the whole thing again.
Maybe you never tried burning a Blu-ray disc with FCP or compressor before. Let me explain how it works. When you submit the project to process, it will create 2 files - 1 ac3 audio file and a .264 file. After that 2 files are rendered (which takes 24hrs for my 2hr 30min HD clip), it will use that 2 files to create your Bluray disc or your dmg file. Problem occurs when it doesn't burn the disc and you are left with just the 2 files that cannot be used to burn the project again. My question is : is there anyone who knows how to set the compressor to see that the 2 files are already created and just continue to create a dmg file?
Hope my question is clearer now.

Creat VOB files From FC Pro Timline or Compressor

Is it possible to create DVD VOB files from the timeline of FC Pro or Compressor?
This is feature that is available in Edius, is there anything similar in FC pro or Compressor?

Hi,
There is no direct way to create VOB files from FCP nor Compressor but you may use DVD Studio Pro.
1- Export your sequence from FCP using "Export via Compressor..."
2- In Compressor, drag from the settings tab a setting that suits your needs (ex :Apple>DVD>Best Quality 90 minutes)
3- In DVDSP import the resulting files (m2v and ac3) in the" ressources tab", drag those 2 files in the "track 1" icon of the graphical tab, right-click and choose "first play".
Then, you just have to buid a project (ie a VIDEO_TS folder containing your VOB files) using Option-Command-C (File>advanced burn>build)
Hope it helps.
Olivier

What is the default level of ac3 files?

I am a long time Logic user, but new to Compressor. I was asked to supply an ac3 file to a dvd authoring company. I "successfully" converted from aif using Compressor, but the resulting file was at -20db, no matter what parameters I tweaked.
Is this "normal"? Why would adjusting parameters such as dialogue normalisation, soften over... and master gain have no effect on the outcome?
Each time I adjusted a parameter, I would save the settings, and then import them into the batch manager window, but I always ended up with an ac3 file at -20db.
Huh?

See if this helps.
a) Click your audio setting and have a look at the Encoder tab in the Inspector window.
b) Under the Audio tab, change the Dialog Normalization from -27 to -31 to disable it.
c) Click the Preprocessing tab and set the Compression Preset to None.
d) Deselect the Low-Pass Filter and DC Filter
*Compressor User Manual -> Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files*
Important: It is critical that you set the Dialog Normalization setting correctly if you intend to use any of the Compression Preset settings. The Compression Preset settings assume that the audio, after the dialogue has been normalized, is at the normal listening level of 31 dBFS. Levels that are consistently louder than that result in distorted sound and erratic levels.
If you do not know the sound level of the source file or for some other reason want to ensure the Dolby Digital Professional encoder does not affect your sound levels, enter –31 for the Dialog Normalization and choose None in the Compression Preset pop-up menu (located in the Preprocessing tab).

Converting ac3 files into mp3

Does anyone know if I can convert ac3 files that are created by compressor for DVD Studio pro into MP3 files?
Cheers

Hi:
You can use MPEG Streamclip to extract the audio tracks from your DVD and re-encode them as AIFF. Then use iTunes to convert to mp3.
I have just tried and Streamclip doesn't take just the ac3 file, you need to take them from the VOB files.
Hope that helps . . . and hope you own the rights of the material !!
Alberto

Creating AC3 Files

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