AC3 Plug-In - what's it for?

[Corkhead]

I am a complete novice as regards copying DVDs. I have a Panasonic DVD recorder, a Pioneer Burner 111D, and have TMPGEnc Author. I have managed to copy one DVD with no problem which is great.

I have a friend with practically the same equipment but she says that her AC3 plug in does not work as she hears no sound when she edits. I don't think I have the plug in.

Can anyone enlighten me?

[MOVIEGEEK]

Three possibilities:
1.She didn't register the plug-in: http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tsp_ac3.html
2.She doesn't have the correct TMPGEnc version(see above link).
3.She doesn't have an AC-3 decoder,do DVD's play ok on her PC?

[Corkhead]

Yes they do play OK as she has copied something for me before I got my burner. I don't know why she needs it really.

Actually, I think it worked at first but doesn't now.

Do you really need it or is it just a gimmick?

[MOVIEGEEK]

You need it if you want to output AC-3 audio.
BTW...welcome to videohelp.

[gadgetguy]

You need it if you want to output AC-3 audio.
BTW...welcome to videohelp.

A little clarification. You need it if you want to listen to AC-3 audio while authoring and/or if you need TDA to convert your audio to AC-3. If your audio is already AC-3, TDA will pass it through OK without the plug-in.

[redwudz]

I generally use the freeware ffmpeggui to convert to AC3, then put that into TDA when authoring.

[Corkhead]

You need it if you want to listen to AC-3 audio while authoring

This is my point. I think she needs it for that very thing. I am going to get to grips with the whole program before I get into technicalities.

Thank you for the welcome!

[hech54]

The TDA AC3 plugin is extremely valuable if you are inserting chapters into something like a concert video. It is also a seperate AC3 Encoder/decoder BUT the makers of TMPGenc products for some reason have not made that very public...not sure why.

[gadgetguy]

The TDA AC3 plugin is extremely valuable if you are inserting chapters into something like a concert video. It is also a seperate AC3 Encoder/decoder BUT the makers of TMPGenc products for some reason have not made that very public...not sure why.

Using the plug in is easier but there are work arounds that I've used. The simplest is to encode your mpg file with MP2 audio and use ffmpeggui to create a seperate AC3 audio file. Load the mpg and set your chapter points listening to the MP2 audio. After you're done setting chapter points select the AC3 file for your audio.

[hech54]

I've done almost that same thing in the past too....but making a seperate PCM file. The plugin was worth the money...at least for me.