Need Simple Editing Software That Maintains 5.1 Audio

[KevMull]

I have several mpeg clips with multiplexed ac3 5.1 audio.

All I want to do is trim the beginning and ends with a fade to black but the software I have will either NOT re-encode DD 5.1 audio (like Ulead Video Studio & Media Studio Pro) or only do simple trimming (like TMPG enc).

After this process I want to join the clips together acomplete with the 5.1 audio.

I'm currently having a look at Womble mpeg2vcr (latest version) as it has an 'insert effect' option but can't even output a saved file for some reason.

Any other options?

PS
I won't touch any Pinnacle software, way too unstable!

Cheers

[thecoalman]

If you can rip the audio out of the video as is you can import it into Ulead DVD Workshop as a replacement audio file and select "do not convert compliant files" when you get to the burn options. I know this will work with Workshop.

You may also be able to do the same thing with Video Studio if it supports AC3 but I don't know for sure. You would have to create your new video with the fades then replace the audio after encoding with the ripped audio. Worth a shot

[KevMull]

Thanks, yes I can isolate the audio track ok and manipulate the video in several programs. I just need a sound editor that supports ac3 5.1 and allows fading, but this will then need to be re-encoded which is where the the problem lies (expensive Dolby licensing).

[NewHomebrew]

I don't know of a program that will let you edit .ac3 audio in that form. I've looked but haven't found one.

What I have done is to convert .ac3 > .wav and edit in Sony Vegas. Then render as .ac3. There should be trial versions of Vegas out there for you to mess with.