DivX with 5.1 audio?

[rrrredrum]

Is it possible? I own a lot of a DVDs, and I'd like to make backups of them. But to burn em all on DVD-Rs will be very costly, so I'm looking for a way to compress them, but STILL keeping the Surround sound, such as Dolby Digital and DTS. Maybe manage to reducd the size to 1-2gb, so 2-3 movies can fit on ONE dvd. So, in short: Can I make DivX/SVCD with 5.1 audio?

[au7usa]

I use VirtualDub MPEG2, with AC3 ACM Decompressor for that very thing.

[ZippyP.]

Although I haven't made one myself, that's a pretty common file type. Usually they're 700 MB (1CD) or 2 X 700MB (2 CD).

[bottle-necked]

I've did several Divx conversions so far with good results. The easiest way is to download trialware Dr DivX from divx.com. I think it's 30 days or so trial. All setting are adjustable but the program is designed to be easy to use. I liked it enough I bought the full version.

You can also use the free divx codec and VirtualDubMod or VirtualDubMpeg2 (loads M2V) but you will need to setup the codec manually. A little harder for a newbie to divx. Read a few guides, learn how to 2 pass using Job Control, and there is actually nothing to it. I do it that way sometimes also.

Getting that AC-3 audio muxed is easy with a little program called AVIMux GUI. Just run the program, drag in your divx video and your AC-3 audio from Windows Explorer. Click the video stream, click 'add', then click Run. Easy and fast multiplex. The program has some errors thought and you will find it necessary to sometimes load that muxed file in VirtualDub, setup for Direct Stream Copy (audio and video), and save a new avi. This will repair the problems giving you a good file.

Oh yea, when you rip the dvd demux the vob files with Tmpgenc Mpeg Tools to get your AC-3 audio out. Don't process it, just mux it back to your finished divx converted avi like I said above. Demux the video stream (m2v) and take that to VirtualDubMod or Dr Divx for processing.

And I almost forgot. For VirtualDub to handle AC-3 audio you will need to install AC-3 ACM Decompressor (as mentioned above). lol

Good luck.

[bottle-necked]

oops!

[rrrredrum]

Oh! Was it THAT simple? :P

I'll start working on it right away.

[Baldrick]

or use autogk or fairuse 0.3, both can convert to divx or xvid with ac3 audio.

[feenix]

Guys,

I apoligise upfront if I'm wrong about this but my understanding of how the AC-3 ACM Decompressor filter works is to accept a 5.1 ac3 in but downmix it to 2 channel stereo for use in re-encoding the audio to another format. So I don't understand how, just by using the decompressor you get 5.1 ac3 audio out with VirtualDub?

If the original poster wants true 5.1 ac3 then he doesn't need to re-encode the audio (unless he wants to use BeSweet to drop the bitrate) just remux it with the avi at the end.


So ,too my mind ,for the process he wants the decompressor is irrelevant (although a great tool to have).

[bottle-necked]

Guys,

I apoligise upfront if I'm wrong about this but my understanding of how the AC-3 ACM Decompressor filter works is to accept a 5.1 ac3 in but downmix it to 2 channel stereo for use in re-encoding the audio to another format. So I don't understand how, just by using the decompressor you get 5.1 ac3 audio out with VirtualDub?

If the original poster wants true 5.1 ac3 then he doesn't need to re-encode the audio (unless he wants to use BeSweet to drop the bitrate) just remux it with the avi at the end.


So ,too my mind ,for the process he wants the decompressor is irrelevant (although a great tool to have).

Yea, I recommended that he "not" pocess the audio, just mux it with his converted video then "if necessary to correct possible errors", use direct stream copy mode in VirtualDub to repair them. A 'direct stream copy' is not processing the audio, just coping it. I understand I recommended he install the decompressor but for that process (direct stream copy) he might not actually need it. I've used the decompressor so long I don't remember if VirtualDub would give an error message in this suitation or not.... and I was not going to uninstall mine just to test that point. Installing the decompressor has no side effects I have become aware of so I saw no harm in recommending it. If it were needed he would have it, and if not then no big deal. Right. Direct Stream Copy is just that, a direct copy, no conversion.

Good luck.

EDIT: Out of curiosity I uninstalled my decompressor and tried a direct stream copy. VD did 'direct stream copy' without it, but it could not play or process the ac-3. lol

[rrrredrum]

I'm gonna try not proccesing the sound, but if you manage to get a movie to DivX size, and still keep 5.1 channels, then thats goods stuff!

[feenix]

Yes it is. If you're not too au fait with all the processes and individual programs then I would follow Baldricks advice and try FairUse or AutoGk. I personally would choose Xvid over Divx but that's so subjective.

[rrrredrum]

I just realized that my DivX/DVD player also plays AC3, so I can guess that my DVD-writer will get little rest from now on.