How Do I capture AC-3 from an SPDIF input on the computer

[zamzickles]

Let's assume that I have a Satellite Receiver with S-Video and Digital Audio output. I wish to record TV programs using a capture card in the computer. Is there ANY software that would do a simutaneous AC-3 audio capture from a sound card while capturing the video. It seems to be a topic that nobody wishes to discuss. They're too busy taking great 5.1 digital audio and turning it into MP-3 stereo for their VCDs.

The topic is AC3 stream capture, who's got working soultions?

[Nelson37]

Have been looking into same problem, here's what I have got so far.

Most TV Surround Sound is broadcast in Prologic, that is the best you can do for SVCD or VCD. There is some question if capturing AC3 and then downmixing to Prologic would give any improvement. (while 5.1 is apparently possible with SVCD, Only with Linux and playback only on 2 or 3 players, haven't seen anyone post that they have actually accomplished this).

Now if you're doing DVD, that's another story. I have Digital in on my sound card but no Digital out on cable box (and no DVD writer) so I have not yet gone any further.

Hope that helps!

[zamzickles]

Yes, I am doing DVDs and 5.1 AC3 would be great for recording purposes. Are any of the commercial sound cards able to input (and capture) a 5.1 stream to go with or be added to a video stream. DVD players, Digital TV receivers, Satellite Receivers and even new video games all have Digital Dolby and AC-3/DTS audio outputs. When is somebody going to put some work into this subject or have I missed something.

[aguillon]

Something like this for instance?

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ua3d.html

[DisTreSs]

aguillon, the product you suggest isn't meant for 5.1 capture. It is apparantly only meant as a quick and convenient way for most people to add 5.1 output to their system, something that is standard nowadays on almost any soundcard...