Convert PCM to AC3???

[ivano09]

I have a lot of movies that are in VOB format with PCM audio. I'd like to convert the audio (not extract) from each of those videos to AC3. How can I go about doing this?

[hech54]

You'll need to "extract" or DEMUX the file. It's not a one-step process to go from PCM to AC3.

[ivano09]

Which programs would you recommend I use?

[hech54]

My programs are old "pay" programs. I use TMPGEnc Sound Player (built-in/buried inside TMPGEnc DVD Author)....after demuxing of course.

[ivano09]

Thanks....but I was looking for specifics. Which program would I use to DEMUX and which program to re-author the VOB afterward?

[hech54]

Most of my preferred programs are pay programs but:
From VOB files....ID go with VOB2MPEG to get you away from multiple VOB files.
I'd then demux the file with Womble MPEG VCR.
Load the PCM audio into TMPGEnc Sound Player to create an AC3 file.
Re-author the two(video and audio) with TDA.
HOWEVER....TDA can convert LPCM to AC3 normally during the authoring(back to DVD VOB files) process.

I'm also sure someone else has easier alternatives....probably with free software too.
Hang tight....someone will be along to tell me how idiotic my process is....

[redwudz]

VOB2MPEG to extract the MPEG
You could use VirtualDub(Mod) to demux or save out the PCM as a WAV or AVIDemux or probably other freeware demuxers in our 'Tools' section.
Audacity to re-encode to AC-3 or ffmpeg or Aften. If you have multichannel PCM, then it could get a bit more complicated.
Re-author with GUI for dvdauthor

All of that would be freeware. You will lose the original menus, though.

And there are still probably better methods.