There are a number of methods available for encoding your MP2 or WAV files to high-quality AC3 Dolby Digital Stereo for DVD-Video projects.
But there is a problem -- many of the free methods are known to create subpar or non-compliant AC3 streams (not Dolby authorized!). Or the encoders are only available as part of a very expensive "authoring suite" or authorware.
Once again, however, Pegasys/Tsunami/TMPGEnc has come to the budget videographer's rescue! Visit the
TMPGEnc website (use this link!), locate the AC3 filter on the PRODUCTS page:
... and for a whopping $29, you can purchase and use TMPGEnc Sound Player as a standalone Dolby-approved AC3 encoder!
After it is installed, either locate the new software in your start menu, or locate the program at
C:\Program Files\Pegasys Inc\TMPGEnc Sound Player\TMPGEncSoundPlayer.exe and start it.
tmpg-soundplayer.gif
Press the ENCODE button, and the audio encoder should appear:
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Drag and drop your WAV files into the window, highlight the AC3 encoder, and then visit the settings window...
tmpg-ac3encoder.gif
You want AC3 2/0 stereo at 48kHz, and for stereo, you're advised to stay in the 192kbps to 384kbps range.
For "good" audio, 256k is suggested. For "bad" audio (including audio that has been restored), use 384k. Although 192k and 224k are "okay", you can hear a quality difference on most DVDs, against the 256k. the 192-224 is not always transparent to the source like 256k is. Compression of any kind can lower quality on noisy audio (or marginally noisy audio), so 384k is suggested because it is considered "better than transparent" compression.
After those settings are entered and OK'd, return to the encoder window, select a location to save the new audio files, and then sit back and watch the blue bar...
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You'll end up with compliant high-quality AC3 encodes worthy of authoring to DVD.
NOTE: The TMPGEnc Sound Player has this cheesy
"I want to look like a stereo" themed interface, so the button to close the software is in the upper left corner, a RED-lit button labeled "POWER".
Hope that helps.
