How to open AAC audio file?

[blackion]

I have AVI without a sound and I have AAC audio file that I have extracted from MP4 video clip.
I would like to add the audio file as an audio stream to the AVI.

I open the AVI in virtualdub. I go to Audio:Audio from other file. However I'm unable to select the AAC file.
The files with extension AAC are not shown.

[Budman1]

You can do it 2 ways:
If you have the DShowInput Plugin, Select it in types and then select the AAC file. Otherwise I just select ALL in type box and select the AAC file.





That's the BOTTOM ALL TYPES *.* not the top one that denotes mostly video files.

[El Heggunte]

I have AVI without a sound and I have AAC audio file that I have extracted from MP4 video clip.
I would like to add the audio file as an audio stream to the AVI.

Assuming you DON'T want to reencode the AAC stream, then use AVI-Mux GUI.

[blackion]

I indeed don't want to reencode it.
I don't have DShowInputDriver.

Thanks for the idea of using AVI-Mux GUI.

However, my question is regarding VirtualDUB. I would like to open the AAC in VirtualDUB. I have installed AAC codec for VirtualDub, however selecting *.* and then the AAC gives me error that the file or format of the file is not recognized.

[El Heggunte]

The AAC ACM was designed for playback and direct-stream copy of already-muxed AAC streams, it's not an import filter (SFAIK, at least). I have nearly-zero experience with both the DirectShow and the ffmpeg plugins, since they have interfered weirdly with the other, "simpler" input plugins (on my XP machine at least, YMMV).

[blackion]

I agree El Heggunte.
That's why I posted my question, as I don't understand much in plug-ins. But common logic tells if I can get audio from mp3, I should be able to get it from AAC too.

[Budman1]

My experience, on Windows 7 Ultimate at least, with VirtualDub 1.10.3, allows me to import the AAC audio as other file audio . Be sure it is playable on some player(I like PotPlayer because it has not let me down) and then check VirtualDub under File -> File Information and also use MediaInfo to check what it thinks it is.

If they all agree, then set audio to full processing and check under Audio -> Compression and see if you actually have the AAC ACM (And possibly AC-3 ACM):


These are the ones I use:


This works either with DirectShow filter or All *.* for me. HOWEVER, bear in mind, the AAC in a decode only at least at this level and VirtualDub may be a little troublesome with 6 channel, if somehow you have 6 channel AAC.

[blackion]

And thank you a lot El Heggunte for suggestion regarding AVI-MUX Gui. I'll safely assume that it doesn't reencode anything but simply mixing the streams. Lets see now if my media player will play the AVI with AAC audio.

[Budman1]

Just confirmed by trying to use 6 channel AAC... VirtualDub uses the AAC ACM to decode but will only output on mine to PCM 2 channel. Probably because the AAC ACM is only decode as far as I have ever found. 2 channel does the same. I usually export it through external encoders when using AVC or AAC.

[blackion]

Budman, my AAC has two channels. Compression shows AAC and AC3 installed. Though I use VirtualDub 1.9.8.

[Budman1]

I think El Heggunte has the best idea. The information on VirtualDub, I gave because you were interested in it from your post However as posted earlier by El Heggunte, the AAC ACM is designed to only allow playing the audio thru VirtualDub, you cannot ENCODE to AAC and, apparently it will only output it to PCM (Raw) audio.

AS I mentioned, I use external encoders to get AAC but this is not easy to start out with and AVI-MUX GUI is much simpler and no re-encode needed AFAIK.

[blackion]

Budman, thank you for your input. Perhaps indeed I'll have to upgrade my VirtualDub to the version you are using.

[hello_hello]

Would it be safe to assume if you mux AACinto an AVI the chances of a hardware player being able to play it are fairly low? I'd be converting it to a more supported format for AVI. If you want to keep it multichannel then AC3 would be the best bet. Any decent conversion program should be able to convert it to AC3 and then VirtualDub (or if it won't VirtualDubMod will) can mux the AC3 audio using DirectStreamCopy.

If hardware player compatibility isn't an issue (I don't know why you specifically want an AVI) then I'd do it the other way..... take the audio from the MP4 and the video from the AVI and remux them as an MP4 or MKV. If you're happy with MKV, MKVMergeGUI should make it nice and easy. Open the AVI, add the MP4, deselect the video and audio streams you don't want, and mux what's left as an MKV.

[blackion]

Thanks Hello_Hello, I'm aware of that. My player doesn't support MKV, it does support AVI and some MP4. Lets see if it will play.

[blackion]

Well, my player indeed unable to play the AAC audio stream . So I guess I'll have to convert it to mp3.

[hello_hello]

I suspected that'd be the case. If it's multichannel you can convert it to AC3, but I think VirtualDub needs a plugin to open AC3 audio, or use VirtualDubMod instead.

A program such as Video to Video Converter should let you open the MP4, select AVI as the output container, use Copy for the video and whichever format you want for the audio.