DVD Audio

[ger@co]

Originally posted by Adam40291
Secondly, if I can use BeSweet to convert the audiofiles to an AC3 2.0 or even 5.1 channel audio, or PCM, then I'd prefer the greater quality.

You cannot improve the quality by transcoding to a superior format. The quality will only be as good as the quality of the mp3s.

Later.

[blutach]

@ger@co - they are starting off life as CDAs

I think he is referring to quality of AC3 5.1 vs MP3 transcoded from CDA.

Regards

[ger@co]

blutach, he said this:

Originally posted by Adam40291
I have ripped the files to MP3 format and have downloaded Be Sweet in order to convert them to AC3 (although there must be an easier way

His best bet would be to rip to PCM. That way there would be no loss in quality.

Later.

[blutach]

Yes, he did, but in his first post in this thread he talked about audio CDs.

But we are in heated agreement about going to PCM, n'est pas?

Regards

[ger@co]

Oui, you bet. That aside, I believe that what he wants to do is impossible. That is, I gather, burn a DVD and have it play like a CD.

@ Adam40291. Go to Hydrogenaudio. They'll advise you as to what you can or can't do.

Later.

[Adam40291]

I did a google search on Burning DVD Audio and came back with a plethora of hits regarding DVD-A authoring software...the only problem is, it is apparently quite pricey. There appears to be no way around paying minimum of $40.00 (US) for the capability. And amongst the features available, is a "re-encoding" of 2 channel audio into a 5.1 Dolby Digital stream via PCM -or- AC3. The program that appears to be the best is Audio DVD Creator....but like I said...I'm broke and can't afford the full version, and the trial has limitations. ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[ger@co]

I, too, Googled a bit and found this gem. It's only $2,995.00, but, if you buy now, you can save $450.00 and get it at the bargain price of $2,545.00. So, I guess that $40.00 seems like quite the steal.

Later.

[Adam40291]

LOL...yeah makes the $40.00 not seem so bad. I got the link for Audio DVD creator in the off topic forum in a thread like this one that I posted over there....check it out if you can.

[ger@co]

Yeah, it looks good. The link nwg provided has a 30 trial. I may check it out and do a little testing myself. I have been duly enlightened. Thanks for asking the question and teaching an old dog a new trick.

Later.

[setarip]

"ADDENDUM: I realize I'll only be able to play these on home DVD players and the computer...and that's what I want because that's how my sound system is wired anyway."

Forgive my curiosity (since I'm not offering any suggestions). I guess I'm missing something in your statement. What WON'T you be able to play it on?

==============================================

Thought I'd mention that since you piqued my curiosity, I experimented as follows:

1) Used NERO to convert/extract 24 tracks from a CD in .WAV (PCM 44,100Hz) format

2) Use (discontinued) Sonic Foundry SoftEncode to convert the .WAV files to .AC3

3) Burned the .AC3 files as a "Data DVD" (DVD-ROM ISO)

4) Successfully played the DVD on a Philips DVP 642

5) Would NOT play on a GE1011P

==============================================

Most importantly though, is the very correct observation made by "ger@co". You will NOT improve the quality of the audio by simply converting it to a higher quality format. You'll always be limited to the quality of the .MP3s that you used for your sources of conversion to PCM or .AC3.

This being the case, do you, perhaps, have another motivation for creating a true DVD-Audio?

[Adam40291]

Okay, I can accept now that the promise of converting my 2 channel audio tracks to 5.1 (as was promised by the programs I was shopping) may be a dream...but it is now a crusade. Now I want to do it because I keep hearing it can't be done. I'm stubborn like that. As for what the discs won't play on, a stand alone or car CD player, just was letting everyone know that I wouldn't be planning on trying that. I'm not that dense.

[setarip]

"I can accept now that the promise of converting my 2 channel audio tracks to 5.1 (as was promised by the programs I was shopping) may be a dream..."

Actually, I believe this should be possible (although the quality of the 5.1 output will always be limited to that of the initial .MP3 files). As I mentioned, (If you can locate this discontinued commercial software), I believe you should be able to use Sonic Foundry's SoftEncode to do just this.

Best of luck on your quest ;>}


"As for what the discs won't play on, a stand alone or car CD player, just was letting everyone know that I wouldn't be planning on trying that."

Sorry - I guess I misinterpreted your rference to "home DVD players" to mean standalone DVD players...