MP3 to AC3 discovery? PLEASE READ

[Gazcoigne]

I created a Divx file from a DVD i own. I decided to backup the divx file, so I followed a guide on doom9 net. I misread a part when ripping the audio from the movie file. I used VirtualDub to rip the audio but instead of using full processing mode I used direct stream copy. This resulted in a wav file that was roughly the same size as a mp3 file. It seems that the wav is compressed like an Mp3. I can open and play the file in media player and goldwave, but I cannot save any changes i make to it. goldwave indicates the file is an mpeg3 layer wave file which i have never heard of before.

I converted the wav file to an AC3 using AC3 machine& besweet v1.4 and ended up with a file of around 100MB. this means when encoding the video the resultant filesize is almost 99.5% dvd capacity (4.1GB+), with audio only getting 0.5%. when authoring the dvd i end up with an amazing picture and sound. Ive had mixed results with other dvd ive tried from this discovery. I am unable to find any topics of this on the net. All of the movies play great from the hard drive in power dvd but when i burn them onto a blank DVD sometimes the disc is 100% sometimes the audio skips a bit.

HAVE I DISCOVERED SOMETHING OR AM I JUST A BIT BEHIND?? I NEED GUIDANCE ON THIS

any info on this would be appreciated.

TOOLS:-
VirtualDub P4
Goldwave
BeSweet
Tmgenc
TMPGEnc DVD AUTHOR
Nero 6

[volwrath]

I thought that when you saved the .wav as direct stream in vdub that it was actually saving a .ac3. If this is the case it seems you processed .ac3 to .ac3. My question is can you remux a AC3 and a .mp3 using tmpgenc?

[mats.hogberg]

When you save audio in VirtualDub, using Direct Stream copy, you in fact save it in the shape it was when it was interleaved with the video stream. VirtualDub saves this as xyz.wav regardless if it's in fact mp3 or ac3 or whatever. To boot, it adds some wav headers. Why VDub does this, I can't imagine - it just causes a lot of confusion...

/Mats

[Gazcoigne]

from i posted this i have realised what youve told me but thanx for the explanation. when i convert the massive 1.5 gb wav to an ac3 its roughly the same size, 100-150 mb, so in fact ive not discovered anything, but only that im a bit daft.[/quote]

[mats.hogberg]

Dont be hard on yourself...

/Mats