Cheap & cheerful AC-3

[Karl Engel]

My basic DVD authoring software that came with my burner is PCM only, and fine 99% of the time, but lately I've needed AC-3 to fit some projects on disc at the quality I want. I gather it's possible to demux the .vob files and convert the audio to AC-3 with ffmpegGUI, then remux. Is this approach asking for sync issues, or usually reliable? I think I've used Vobrator in the past to demux - it was some time ago.. will this also remux the new AC-3 files back with the video? Is there a better (free or low-cost) tool?

[redwudz]

I've never had any sync issues with ffmpeggui, though the new favorite is Aften, and it's a little faster. It has a couple of GUIs to make it a little easier to use. I don't usually remux as I use TMPGEnc DVD Author, and with it I can just add the AC3 in when authoring.

[AlanHK]

My basic DVD authoring software that came with my burner is PCM only, and fine 99% of the time, but lately I've needed AC-3 to fit some projects on disc at the quality I want. I gather it's possible to demux the .vob files and convert the audio to AC-3 with ffmpegGUI, then remux. Is this approach asking for sync issues, or usually reliable? I think I've used Vobrator in the past to demux - it was some time ago.. will this also remux the new AC-3 files back with the video? Is there a better (free or low-cost) tool?

Why do you have to extract audio from the VOB? It's possible, but preferable to get it closer to the source.

What kind of authoring software only supports PCM anyway?

Lots of software can demux VOBs (eg, PGCdemux), but remuxing back into an existing DVD fileset is a bit tricker, though it can be done.

Better I think to use an authoring app that does it right from the beginning.

Muxman and Rejig are very simple and fast for single titles, no menus.
For multiple titles and menus, try GuiforDVDAuthor.