Tool to analyze ac3 audio tracks

[Lowlander]

Hi there,

I record from DVB a lot and wonder if there is any kind of software to do a deeper analysis of ac3 tracks.

I'd like to determine if a given 6 channel ac3 audio track actually uses all 6 channels for a proper 5.1 signal or if I just have recorded a 448kbps stream containing 2 channels of actual audio and 3 more mute channels. In this case it would be safe to "downmix" and transcode to 192kbps stereo ac3, saving a lot of space.

I think an ac3 capable player with 6 peak meters could be enough for a good guess.

Any hints appreciated,
Low

[poisondeathray]

open the audio in an audio editor (e.g. audacity) and look at the waveform of each channel (it will be flat for blank audio). You can also solo each channel, to listen to individual channel

[Lowlander]

Thank you so much for pointing me to the obvious!

I had never thought about loading a multichannel file into an audio editor I've been using for years. I knew that Audacity was capable of handling more than two tracks, but it never had occurred to me that it could simply open a Dolby Digital file.

Case solved.

Best wishes from Germany
Low