[Stolen Jones]

Ok, so I recorded the band onto a DVD. I now want to extract the audio-only from the source DVD into Sound Editor. The audio format on the DVD is AC3, right? It doesn't make any sense to import a sample track as a wav. clip, does it? Because there would be no increase in fidelity (but a HUGE increase in file size), as AC3 is an inferior sounding format, right? So, should I import the clip as AC3, wav or MP3? Or something else? Then, once I have edited the clip, into what format should I save it for the bext fidelity? MP3 with a large bit rate? (I'm kinda new to all these terms, so I hope I am making myself clear.)

[sknis]

Ok, so I recorded the band onto a DVD. I now want to extract the audio-only from the source DVD into Sound Editor. The audio format on the DVD is AC3, right? It doesn't make any sense to import a sample track as a wav. clip, does it? Because there would be no increase in fidelity (but a HUGE increase in file size), as AC3 is an inferior sounding format, right? So, should I import the clip as AC3, wav or MP3? Or something else? Then, once I have edited the clip, into what format should I save it for the bext fidelity? MP3 with a large bit rate? (I'm kinda new to all these terms, so I hope I am making myself clear.)

The audio format on the DVD could be AC3 but it doesn't have to be. Did you select a different audio codec in MyDVD "Settings"

You will never get the original audio quality back but think about it. If the audio is AC3 (a lossy compression) why would you want to convert it to mp3 (a different lossy compression).

If you are worried about file size, consider a external hard drive to save the music. Keep it as a wav file for best quality.

[Stolen Jones]

I did not use MyDVD to create the source DVD. I recorded onto my set-top DVD recorder. In Sound Editor, when I go to import audio clips from the source DVD, I see the following:


As you can see, when you click on the screen snippet to see more detal of the image, it appears the source DVD audio is AC3. If that is true, then would it be best to import it into SE as a wav clip? Then, after it has been edited in SE, export it for later inclusion on a audio DVD as wav (which will be take two DVDs to get all I want on this one project), MP3 (which will get everything on one DVD but will the sound suffer noticeably), or back to the original AC3 format (I haven't figured how much space that would take, or how the sound will differ, if at all).

[MarkR]

I did not use MyDVD to create the source DVD. I recorded onto my set-top DVD recorder. In Sound Editor, when I go to import audio clips from the source DVD, I see the following:


As you can see, when you click on the screen snippet to see more detal of the image, it appears the source DVD audio is AC3. If that is true, then would it be best to import it into SE as a wav clip? Then, after it has been edited in SE, export it for later inclusion on a audio DVD as wav (which will be take two DVDs to get all I want on this one project), MP3 (which will get everything on one DVD but will the sound suffer noticeably), or back to the original AC3 format (I haven't figured how much space that would take, or how the sound will differ, if at all).

It's AC3 format right now. If you are going to perform some editing on it, I would import it as a wav file for that purpose so no further degradation takes place. When editing is done, send it back as an AC3. You aren't losing anything because that's how it started out. Check OPTIONS along the way to make certain you retain the highest quality.

[mikiem]

Point's moot because you can't edit ac3 -- at best software will convert to wav, then convert back to ac3 behind the scenes.

If it helps...

Might want to check volume levels etc. for the converted audio file -- ac3 files often sound too quiet when converted to wav.

[Stolen Jones]

Well, I tried to create a Music DVD in MP3 format, but it would not play on my set-top player or office PC--only on the machine I created the music DVD. I saw in the "Help" section of the DVD Music Assistant that MP3s DVDs likely would not play on set-tops. What a waste! If I create a music DVD with menus and so forth, then all the tracks automatically getr reduced to AC3 format, right? Is there a way to create a Wav or MP3 (preferably) audio DVD that will play on other PCs and set tops?

P.S. What should my CD Recording Options settings be? Type: TAO open or closed, or Disc at Once? Mode: 1 or 2 XA? File System: ISO/Joliet, ISO + Joliet + UDF, ISO Level 2? And, finally, what should the "Write Once Compatibility setting be?

[grandpabruce]

Well, I tried to create a Music DVD in MP3 format, but it would not play on my set-top player or office PC--only on the machine I created the music DVD. I saw in the "Help" section of the DVD Music Assistant that MP3s DVDs likely would not play on set-tops. What a waste! If I create a music DVD with menus and so forth, then all the tracks automatically getr reduced to AC3 format, right? Is there a way to create a Wav or MP3 (preferably) audio DVD that will play on other PCs and set tops?

P.S. What should my CD Recording Options settings be? Type: TAO open or closed, or Disc at Once? Mode: 1 or 2 XA? File System: ISO/Joliet, ISO + Joliet + UDF, ISO Level 2? And, finally, what should the "Write Once Compatibility setting be?

You are talking a 6 hour + recording, right? You can bet that it isn't going to fit on a CD.

[Stolen Jones]

You are talking a 6 hour + recording, right? You can bet that it isn't going to fit on a CD.

Right, I'm talking about an audio DVD. I only mention the "CD Recording Options" because that is what Roxio calls it. That applies to DVDs too, right?

[tbrewst]

You can make either a Music DVD or an mp3 disc,take your pick.
If you make a Music DVD then you get 3 choices for a format,none of which is mp3.
If you make an mp3 disc you can use a DVD.However you need to use a player that will play mp3's.All computers should play it and depending on your set top player it may also.
Either way the tracks will be encoded to the chosen format.

[Stolen Jones]

What are the three choices? AC3, PCM and ?