AIFF to AC3

[danielmak]

I need to convert an AIFF file to AC3 so I can mux it with video. I tried to do this with FFMPEGX but I get a Zero KB file. Will FFMPEGX work for this? If not, how can I convert the audio file? Here are thumbnails for my FFMEG settings.

[rumplestiltskin]

MPEG2 Works perhaps?

[redwudz]

I haven't tried it with a Mac, but the latest version of Audacity for Mac may be able to do this.

[danielmak]

MPEG2 Works perhaps?

Streamclip? When I drag the AIFF onto the window, nothing happens.

[rumplestiltskin]

Look in the Mac Tools section for "MPEG2 Works". It's not MPEG Streamclip. Different app.

[jamiep]

i just put this together quickly
it uses ffmpeg.
unzip it
put the folder "aiff2ac3" in your "Applications" folder (it won't work otherwise)
make an alias of the app "aiff2ac3" if you wish to but DON"T move it from that folder.

double click "aiff2ac3"
it will open a terminal window, drag your aiff file onto it and press return
a file called output.ac3 will be made on the desktop
it is 256Kb bitrate and the channels will be the same as the file it is given.

tested on snow leopard (will probably work on leopard too)- INTEL Only
if you are still on PPC post here and i'll try to sort it out!

the shell script that i used to do this and a website for source code are in the folder
good luck
jamie

[danielmak]

Thanks for posting this. I will test it out and report back.

[Case]

ffmpegX should be able to handle this easily. Just make sure to use the Sound file to ac3 preset, not the Movie file to ac3 preset.

[michaelmcgennan]

I find that FFMPEGX doesn't work with AIFF files because it will only handle full-size unlossy audio files in WAV format. A program that will convert AIFF to WAV like SoX Wrap, Amadeus Pro, or Audacity, before you ask FFMPEGX to do the conversion to AC3, should sort out your problems.

Michael

[danielmak]

Sorry, I had been away, but Case's post hit the nail on the head. I wasn't using the Sound File selection but was using the Movie File selection. All was good with the my Sound File conversion and the conversion of a 90 minute audio file probably took 2 minutes maximum.