How to convert DTS to MP3 (Mac)

[VidHunter]

Hi,

My problem is that I have a MKV file with DTS. When I tried to run it through MKVTools, it told me their mencoder does not support DTS, so I want to know how to convert DTS to MP3 or another audio format compatible with MKVTools. It does not have to be freeware. It could be commercial software as long as it works.

[neomaine]

Once the audio is demuxed you can use BeSweet through the BesweetGUI. Its my favorite audio converter anyway.

[jman98]

You can convert to AC3 with this tool:
http://audioconverter.heartware.dk/Tutorial/
AC3 has some advantages over MP3, so you may want to convert to AC3. One of those advantages is AC3 is valid for DVD and MP3 is not.

[VidHunter]

Thanks for responding and so fast too.

@neomaine: Does besweet work on a mac? From the screenshots, it looks like for windows.

@jman98: Does that program work on a mac?

[terryj]

Strange that Merkonk's tool didn't work for you;
I've ususally had the best of luck with that.

Try this:
With one or two steps:
QT Pro ( with Perian 1.1.2 installed), open MKV in QT PRO,
once fully loaded export audio to convert AC3 to AIFF,
then take Aiff, import into iTunes and Convert to MP3 by setting import to Mp3
(or Aiff, import into Amadeus II ( my choice) and convert to Mp3)

or the audio can be "hijacked" while playing MKV in VLC and recorded
to Mp3 using Wiretap or Audio Hijack Pro ( my fav).

[VidHunter]

Thanks for the suggestion TerryJ. I didn't know that QT Pro can play MKVs with Perian installed.

So, is it possible for QT Pro to open OGMs? Oh, and also, how do you get subtitle files to show up under the "Subtitles" submenu? I do alot of translating, so knowing that piece of info would be helpful as I use QT more. Yeah, MKVTools rarely fails me, and I work with alot of MKVs/OGMs. Although, the new MP4 function is a little buggy. It would fail more than succeed when I try to convert a large MKV file to a MP4 using MKVTools. QT Pro is getting better and better as I use it more. I could use it to replace VLC if it can play OGMs.

Oh, before I checked the forums, I solved my problem using audiohub to do a direct convert from DTS to MP3 while preserving decent quality and cutting down the size, big time. Ah, I am missing Techspansion already.

[emmgunn]

If your not shy around the command line you can try updating some of the tools used by MKVtools to fix both your problems. Mencoder can be compiled with DTS support and there is a version of mp4box floating around that has a fix for the "large file" issue that you're seeing with mp4 conversions. I would try to compile distributable binaries of these tools, but I'm not a UNIX guy and from what I understand is not an easy thing to do. However, compiling for your specific system isn't too bad. Macports is a good place to start. There was also a recent post here by somebody who is maintaining packages ready for installation. What you would do is move the compiled app into the MKVtools package. I've never tried it but I've had reports of success.

[VidHunter]

Oh, hey emmgunn

Thanks for the tip, but unfortunately, I am not good with command lines at all. It is the reason why I like to use mac, where there is a lot of great programs with beautiful GUIs. Well, it isn't really a problem since I just use MKVTools to make AVIs, and man, does it do the job well. I would just run it through Visualhub to get the MP4 format I want. As for the DTS, it doesn't come up too often, and there is always Audiohub sitting in my HD. I use MKVTool like literally everyday. It is a great little software.