Best AC3 conversion Program

[dewaynespaw]

What is the best (freeware or cheapware) program to convert wav audi to AC3? I have tried a couple of different ones and the first few seconds were loud and then the level drops. It sound like it is running through an outboard compressor that is set with the threshold too high.

[Baldrick]

what have you tried? besweet? belight? ffmpeggui? tmpgenc ac3 plugin for tmpgenc dvd author?

[Stormin Norman]

This is the second "best of". your gonna have to experiment.

[dewaynespaw]

No, I haven't tried any of those. I tried the Ulead Video Studio AC3 plugin and the Pinnacle plugin. Both produced the same result. I will try some of the ones you mentioned. Thanks my friend.

[guns1inger]

Of the cheap ones, tmpgenc's is probably the best, although it is limited to 2 channel. If you want high quality, multi-channel compliance then you need to spend money. Surcode or Sony are both very good. I use the Sony plugin as part of the Vegas/DVD Architect suite and alway get great results.

Working with AC3 is not the same as working with other audio though. The increased dynamic range gives you a lot of freedom, but requires a finer hand when tuning. Similarly with the multi-channel mastering. Of course if you are just converting mp3 stereo audio to AC3, tmpgenc' AC3 is more than enough.

[thor300]

No need to spend money, besweet has always worked perfectly for me and those i given homefootage DVDs to. To make baldrick happy i also have to recommend ffmpeggui, which also always worked for me.

[reboot]

Nero Wav Editor will also do it, with the AC3 plugin from http://neroplugins.cd-rw.org/