Extract audio just as it is -- no transcoding

[aitte]

Mac OS X 10.7.3
VLC ver. 1.1.12

I have an flv file. I want to discard the video portion and save only the audio portion, just as it is -- no transcoding or re-encoding to a different format, etc.

The VideoLAN Wiki states that it can be done via the command line:

Extracting audio in original format

If you want the extracted audio in the same format as it is stored in the input, then VLC can provide it to you with no loss of quality, because there is no re-encoding of the content.

The way to do this for AC3 format audio from a DVD video is (on Linux):

vlc --no-sout-video dvdsimple:///dev/scd0@1:1 :sout='#std{access=file,mux=raw,dst=./file.ac3}'

However, the above example is for a DVD. I need to do this for a FILE (and in the Mac OS X terminal). I tried to use the examples on this page and this page as a guide, but I still can't get this process to work.
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Could any of the experts check my syntax below and tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Code: Select all

/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/VLC -I dummy --no-sout-video "/Users/MyName/Movies/Best\ Videos/Medley.flv" :sout='#std{access=file,mux=raw,dst="/Users/MyName/Movies/Best\ Videos/Medley.m4a"}' vlc://quit

File name: Medley.flv
File path: /Users/MyName/Movies/Best Videos/Medley.flv

The VLC media information window (Codec Details tab) shows that Medley.flv is made up of 2 streams:

Stream 0 (video) - details omitted
Stream 1 (audio)

• Codec: MPEG AAC Audio (mp4a)
  Channels: Stereo
  Sample rate: 44100 Hz

FYI: I get the following error messages:

• access_output_file access out error: cannot open `/Users/MyName/Movies/Best\ Videos/‪Medley.m4a' (No such file or directory)
• stream_out_standard stream out error: no suitable sout access module for `file/raw:///Users/MyName/Movies/Best\ Videos/‪Medley.m4a'
• main stream output error: stream chain failed for `std{access=file,mux=raw,dst="/Users/MyName/Movies/Best\ Videos/Medley.m4a"}'
• main input error: cannot start stream output instance, aborting

[aitte]

After much trial and error, I discovered that this can be done in VLC without using the command line.

1. Open the VLC app.
2. From menu, choose File > Streaming/Export Wizard.
3. Screen 1 - Wizard: Choose Transcode/Save to file, then click "Next".
4. Screen 2 - Input: Choose Existing Playlist item, then highlight the name of your file in the list. Click "Next".

• If your file is not listed, open the desired file in VLC. It will then immediately appear in the list. (You can then stop the file and close it; don't need to play it to the end).

5. Screen 3 - Transcode: Click the checkbox for Transcode Video. In the Codec drop-down menu, choose Dummy. Leave Bitrate as is. Click "Next".

• This will discard the video completely so you will only be left with a sound file.
  DO NOT click the checkbox for Transcode Audio. You want to leave the audio in its original format.

6. Screen 4 - Encapsulation: Choose the format that matches the original file. For instance, if the original file's audio stream was MPEG AAC Audio (mp4a), then choose MPEG 4 / MP4.

• To see what type of audio stream is in the original file, open the desired file in VLC. While it is playing go to menu > Window > Media Information and click on the "Codec Details" tab.

• Do this BEFORE you start the Streaming/Export Wizard.

• Also, close the Playlist in the VLC player (by clicking the Playlist button) BEFORE going to Window > Media Information. Otherwise, the codec info will be empty, and the "General" tab will show the word "Playlist" instead of the name of the file.

7. Screen 5 - Additonal Options: Under Select the file to save to, click the "Choose" button and navigate to where you want to save the audio file.

• Under "Save As", enter a name.

• Also, uncheck the "Hide extension" box so you can see the format it will be saved in.

8. When the Summary screen appears, click "Finish".

• For AAC files, it will show an mp4 extension. You can change this to m4a in the Finder so that it will (1) open in iTunes by default, (2) have the same icon as other iTunes files, and (3) play in the Finder with one click.

P.S. I wish VLC would put this in its documentation. I have been trying to find out how to do this FOR AGES. Even googling the topic in various ways only led me to different forums where others asked the same question and got no relevant replies (though plenty of responders recommended all kinds of conversion and recording software -- even though audio extraction, not conversion -- was requested).