H.264/AC3 Formatted Files

[Jon Walker]

Am currently trying to test H.264/AC3 encoded files in the VLC device "encoded output" mode since QT only supports stereo mixdowns. AC3 audio track plays fine in VLC by itself. However, when added to an H.264 Baseline "LC" track and encapsulated in the generic MOV file container, the video plays fine but returns the following error message for audio -- main error: no suitable decoder module for fourcc `ac-3'. VLC probably does not support this sound or video format. Wondered if anyone was familiar with a valid fourcc recognized by VLC that would cover this combination. Valid combinations I have tried crash VLC as soon as the applicaton determines I lied about the video format.

[sdm]

Jon, I don't have the answer, but the exact same probem!

.MOV (h264+AC3) plays fine in QT (with A52/AC3 codec installed of course) but won't play in VLC (no audio).
I too want to use VLCs optical audio out feature to get the DD audio into my reciever.

I've tried for days to make it work ... mostly trying to make .AVI (h264+AC3).
Handbrake can make a .AVI like this that both VLC and QT can decode, but Handbrake won't encode video at 848 x 480 (854x480 cropped on left and right)

If you have found a solution please post it here!

-- sdm.

[The DJ]

Where is this ac-3 fourcc coming from ?
Is this created by quicktime ? I was unaware of the existence of this ID to identify AC3 audio.

[sdm]

I've created these files at least three ways.

1. VOB -> Mpeg Streamclip -> Export to Quicktime (video codec: h264, audio: passthrough) -> .MOV (h264+AC3)

2a. VOB -> Mpeg Streamclip -> Export to Quicktime (video codec: h264, audio: NONE) -> .MOV (h264).
2b. AC3 -> open in QT -> select all, COPY.
2c. MOV (h264) - open in QT -> ADD TO MOVIE -> Save as .MOV (h264+AC3)

3a. M2V -> Mpeg Streamclip -> Export to Quicktime (video codec: h264, audio: NONE) -> .MOV (h264).
3b. AC3 -> open in QT -> select all, COPY.
3c. MOV (h264) - open in QT -> ADD TO MOVIE -> Save as .MOV (h264+AC3)

So both Mpeg Streamclip and QT Pro are making .MOVs with the same identifier.

I hope my description and notations make sense.

Thanks for any help.
--sdm.

[The DJ]

Can you please upload a sample to ftp://streams.videolan.org/incoming

[sdm]

Hi DJ.

Thanks for taking an interest!

I've uploaded a file named "QTMov(h264,AC3).mov" in a folder named "QTMov h264+ac3 VideoButNoAudio.

Hopefully you can figure out the problem - since VLC plays h264 and AC3, it should be able to play them together.

Thanks,
--sdm.

[The DJ]

This stream uses 'ms'0x20,0x00
as a fourcc, not 'ac-3'

I tried to get it working, but it seemed to be reluctant to play. I'm not sure what i'm missing, but it's not as simple as adding the fourcc apparently, so it will not make it into 0.8.6 for sure.

[sdm]

Thanks, for looking.

Will you take a look at an .AVI (h264+AC3) that has Audio, but no video in VLC?

Thanks,
--sdm.