Fixing an ac3 file

[Pugsly456]

I have extracted the ac3 file from the avi using virtual dub and am now trying to fix it. so I can author it. The problem is that besliced wont accept the file, and I havnt been able to get ac3fix to work on my pc because I use xp and I am no good in the comand prompt. If I load the ac3 file into besweet, will it fix the file for me? And if not how can I fix it? I am stumped guys!!!

heres the link to the topic that I started with the besliced problem:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=163903
In case anyone can help with that one.

[Craig Tucker]

Try to persevere with ac3fix, it is not that difficult. I also run XP pro and use ac3fix.

After you have saved out the ac3 file rename it if necessary so the extension is ac3 then copy the ac3 file to the same directory that ac3fix is in, then run the command prompt.

Change directories so that you are in the directory that ac3fix is in then simply type

ac3fix oldfilename.ac3 newfilename.ac3

Thats it

I have included a screenshot to help.

[ZippyP.]

Change directories so that you are in the directory that ac3fix is in...

It's a little hard to see in the image but the command to change directories is: CD <directory name>. As well, dir shows the contents of a directory. If you're having trouble with that, then move the AC3 file and AC3fix to the root (or parent) directory of your drive so that they are both there when you open the command window.

[Pugsly456]

I'm sorry guys!! I still cant get it to work! I have ac3fix and the ac3 file both in the "my documents folder on my c drive. Heres the path to the ac3 file but I dont know how to enter it properly:
C:\Documents and Settings\Sean\My Documents\10 days.ac3
the ac3fix is in the same exact folder.

[Craig Tucker]

Right to make things simple create a directory called c:\ac3fix and put the ac3fix program files in that directory.

Remove the space from your ac3 file so call it 10days.ac3 and put it in the same directory i.e c:\ac3fix

Then run the command prompt and change the directory to the ac3fix directory so type cd\ac3fix

then type ac3fix 10days.ac3 10days1.ac3

[FulciLives]

CLICK on START and then RUN ...
enter CMD and then click OK
This will bring up the COMMAND PROMPT i.e. DOS window.
You do know DOS now don't you? hehehe *evil grin* hehehe

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Pugsly456]

Ok! I got some of it to work. Now I've created a new folder in my drive c directory and named it ac3fix. I then placed the ac3fix program and the ac3 file that I want to fix inside of that folder. I then followed your directions and I got to the point where you enter:
C:\ac3fix>ac3fix 10days.ac3 10days1.ac3 Then I hit enter!?

It then tells me that "ac3fix is not recognized as an internal or external comand, operable program or batch file"

Did I do something wrong?
everything up to that point went fine.

[Pugsly456]

Sorry guys! I forgot to unzip the ac3fix zip file in the directory.

Such A Bone Head I am!!!!!

Thanx For All your Help!

[Pugsly456]

Do we need to worry about any of the stuff listed on the screen there like:
Current wrongness or wrong frame lenght or final wrongness?

Or is that already fixed?

[Craig Tucker]

No it is fixed

[Red96TA]

WOW...I've searched for someone to finally break this process down...

I did exactly what was mentioned:

from command line:

ac3fix oldfilename.wav newfilename.ac3

I used VDub to extract the audio as a WAV...put it through AC3Fix and turned the WAV into an AC3

The problem is that it SAYS it's an AC3, but I can't open it in Media Player...is this alright? If everything is fine, I'll just drop it into my authoring program

[Red96TA]

I just tried to put the video and AC3 file from my last post into MF2 and it's not recognized....

Which is it:
1) I screwed something up
2) MF2 does not recognize AC3 files

[Craig Tucker]

You would need an AC3 audio codec installed in order to play it.

[Red96TA]

got one...

The XVid/AC3 file works fine.

Demux the Xvid, used VDub to create WAV, run WAV through AC3FIX, got AC3....tried to play/author.....zero.

I'm almost there! :P

[Craig Tucker]

I am not sure if, or why this would make any difference but you did not rename you original file giving it the ac3 extension (rather than wav extension) before running it through ac3fix. Try that.

[Red96TA]

lol....what/how would I rename the file extension? I can only change the file NAME, not the extension.

[Craig Tucker]

You have file extensions hidden in explorer then ?

To show file extensions (in XP), in explorer click on tools, folder options then the view tab then untick hide extensions for known filetypes. It will then show the .wav extension in explorer. Simply replace this with .ac3.

[Red96TA]

Craig...

Thanks for the help!!!

I changed the file from a WAV to AC3....it works fine!!!

lol...the files created with AC3FIX don't...it said that there were no problems with the original file, so it shouldn't be a problem using the converted WAV for use in my authoring, right?

[Craig Tucker]

lol...the files created with AC3FIX don't...it said that there were no problems with the original file, so it shouldn't be a problem using the converted WAV for use in my authoring, right?

I don't quite understand what you are saying here, can you elaborate.

the files created with AC3FIX don't what ?

What said there were no problems with what file ?

[Red96TA]

Craig,

oops...typo. The 'fixed' AC3 files won't open in any of my players; however, the original WAV that I changed to AC3 work just fine with the new extension.

When I fed the extension-changed AC3 file through AC3fix, it made a new file and then at the bottom of the dos window, the program gives the message that there was nothing wrong with the original AC3 file (hence the name AC3fix I suppose)...anyway, I'm going to see if I can author the original AC3 file.

[Pugsly456]

I dont know if this is right but.... When I extracted an audio file using virtualDub is not technically a wav file just with an ac3 extension?

Red96TA: I had the same problem. Most of my programs dont support ac3 thats why I'll open them in a dvd played that supports ac3 to check them out. My windows media player 9 wont even play the fixed ac3 file either. I use powerDVD XP.

[Pugsly456]

Here is some background on the ac3 file I fixed its from 2 avis I joined together using virtualDub but now that I've fixed It I played it again and right at the point where the two files merge the audio chirps and then the sound just stops. Should I try to burn it anyway to see if my dvd player will work arround the error? or is there any way to fix this?
If I skip past the point where the two files join It plays normally!
Any advise?