Converting Divx/Xvid to DVD+R that has an ac3 soundtrack

[earthworm]

I am wanting to burn my very first DVD-R. Firstly I am trying to create a WAV file of the ac3 soundtrack using virtualdub (as the tutorials suggest) but when I try to do this I get the error that the soundtrack format is not supported or something. However, when I play the movie I do get sound as I have installed an ac3 codec already. I have tried installing an ac3 codec filter via Nimo and also the ac3filter ver 0.69b from ac3filter.sourceforge.net but still I get the error message when I try to save the wave file in the virtuadub file menu. Another strange thing is that GSpot tells me that I do not have a codec installed to play ac3 audio but I DO get sound when I play an ac3 movie in MS media player or bsplayer.

Can anyone help?

ps I will be using tmpgenc to encode the dvd files.

[bugster]

You should extract the audio using 'direct stream copy', not full processing mode. You will then have a movie.wav file. Rename it to movie.ac3. Virtualdub will hav appended a wav file header. Remove this and fix any other errors in the file by running it through ac3fix.exe (a command line tool, in the tools section).

If you want to keep the ac3 audio, use this file when you author your DVD. If you want to convert to PCM or mp2 audio, convert this ac3 file using Heac3he or BeSweet.

Hope this helps.

[earthworm]

I've heard that many authoring programs do not accept ac3 soundtracks. Is this correct? What authoring program would you recommend for creating DVD's with ac3 soundtracks?

[bugster]

Authoring apss that accept Ac3.

Ulead DVD WOrkshope 1.3, Acr audio must be multiplexed with mpeg video first (Tmpgenc can do this).
Spruce Up - requires seperate streams. No-longer sold officially but copies can be found on places like e-bay.
Maestro (see above)
Neo DVD (I think!)
DVD-Lab

I am sure there are others, search the forum.

[funkguy4]

Use NanDub to extract the audio to a true-to-the-form AC3. Process the video only using Virtualdub frameserver into TMPGEnc. I think TMPGEnc 2.59 and up can mux AC3 to an MPEG Video stream.... If not, you can just use DVD-Lab or the likes to make your DVD!