Softe Audio converter

[Chris Barnard]

I just bought this junk in the mistaken belief that it would convert my PCM/WAV files to AC3.

When I opened the program there are options for all sorts of file format conversions, but no AC3!!

I am sick and tired of trying to get this audio format, and now I've paid for this thing and the help file is gibberish and I'm about to lose my lunch on my shoes in sheer fury.

Does anyone use this program? Am I being a dimwit?

PLEASE HELP!!!

[peterC]

I just bought this junk in the mistaken belief that it would convert my PCM/WAV files to AC3.

When I opened the program there are options for all sorts of file format conversions, but no AC3!!

I am sick and tired of trying to get this audio format, and now I've paid for this thing and the help file is gibberish and I'm about to lose my lunch on my shoes in sheer fury.

Does anyone use this program? Am I being a dimwit?

PLEASE HELP!!!

G'day Chris.
I thought you got some good advice here

Aside from the upcoming Edius offering suggested, and the other suggestions, I would assume that from Anton's, you like your beer too much to part with even just 1 carton of it!

And to add, you prefer to be driven to drink on this rather than get a solution to it. (I'll be right over to join you in 'one')

This is a joke OK?

[THoff]

Chris, I'm not even sure why you bought that program -- there is no mention of AC3 output in the program's description on Softe's website.

[iibw]

Here is one that works..

Chris,
Here is a super converter that works... you can basically convert to any format you need and it's free!

http://www.erightsoft.net/SUPER.html

Warren

[Chris Barnard]

Chris, I'm not even sure why you bought that program -- there is no mention of AC3 output in the program's description on Softe's website.

Sure. It says so here:

http://www.softe.net/

Figured out that DVD Moviefactory will not accept Ac3 anyway! I have DVDWS SE but it does not work on this machine (trust me I've tried everything). I might just buy DVDWS express.

I did get some good advice! Just that I cam across that Softe converter, it wasn't expenseive, read some good user comments, it wasn't too technical etc. Just thought it was a sensible choice.

I may yet develop a drinking habit!!

[THoff]

Sure. It says so here:

http://www.softe.net/

Um, no it doesn't. It says it will convert AC3 (among other formats) to "MP3, WAV (PCM, IMA ADPCM), WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, AAC, and M4A". MP3 and AC3 aren't the same thing.

If you click on the Details link, you'll get a complete list of input and output formats. The Input format list includes AC3, the Output format list does not.

[Chris Barnard]

Yup, Anton did suggest TMPEG 4 Xpress from the very beginning!

I can't find 'TMPEG 4 Xpress' but I get 'TMPGEnc 4 Xpress'

IS this it?

http://www.bestvistadownloads.com/software/t-free-tmpgenc-4-0-xpress-download-ackasgwc.html

[Chris Barnard]

The Input format list includes AC3, the Output format list does not.

You are very right. A sense of sheepishness creeps over me like a mad grandmother.

Oh well, back to the drawing board!

[aim1]

Hi Chris. I have never used this one to convert to .ac3, but I have used it to convert a .flv to .mpeg and it worked well. Worth a try I guess.
Terry

[aim1]

Wow. I need a vacation. Sorry. Here is the link: http://www.zamzar.com/
It is different in that you upload the file, and they convert it and send it back.
Terry

[Chris Barnard]

Wow. I need a vacation. Sorry. Here is the link: http://www.zamzar.com/
It is different in that you upload the file, and they convert it and send it back.
Terry

Wow, I didn't even know this type of service existed. Nice to know it exists if ever one is stuck in my situation. I guess it is good for the one-off conversions where it's a waste of money to buy an encoder for one job.

I realised I could upgrade to DVD WS 2 last night so I did and used ffmpeg to create an ac3 file and the resulting DVD works perfectly. At least in my machines!!

Now that I have ac3 on board, do you think it is safe to up the bitrate for the mpeg to 7000? At the moment I am at 6000, and was using that because I thought it was that which was causing some of my discs not to work for clients. Can one see much of a difference in quality?

Thanks to everyone who has helped me out with this!

Chris

[pjsssss]

Chris, anything under 1 hour, I burn with CBR and 7800 bit rate

[aim1]

I have been using ffmpeg for quite some time now and never had anything go out of sync on me. I also burn at 7000 for most of my projects.
Terry

[Chris Barnard]

Chris, anything under 1 hour, I burn with CBR and 7800 bit rate

Seriously? I got the impression that that was way too high!

I'll try that.

Cheers Pat!

Thanks Alm as well...

[Chris Barnard]

I have been using ffmpeg for quite some time now and never had anything go out of sync on me. I also burn at 7000 for most of my projects.
Terry

Since I started using DVD WS2 this with ffmpeg morning it's been perfect. I don't see much audio drop off at all, either.

I'm so happy I could tear my own head off. If I wasn't so tired that the effort might kill me.