Does anyone know how to convert an existing AC3 file (such as from A-Pack) into a Dolby Digital wav file? I would think that there would be a simple utility, shareware or freeware, but a couple hours googling hasn't uncovered one. Am I blind? Mac or PC is okay.

Thanks, Eric!! Actually I found AC3Filter while I was googling. I can't tell if it does what I want to do, but my guess is that I would need to decode to audio then re-encode it to Dolby Digital wav. I would like to be able to do a simple conversion of AC3 files already existing into wav files, that can then be distributed and handled via S/PDIF or AES and fed into appropriate inputs of hardware decoders, or layback to videotape. I don't think A-pack does that, does it? I am not interested in decoding it to sound, rather I am looking for a way to output the data to video tape, or DAT, or whatever using Pro Tools. Does that make sense? SoundCode can make the type of file I want, so can a hardware Dolby encoder. I guess I could buy SoundCode and re-encode what I already have, but I was trying to find another way. Another workaround would be to burn DVDs and capture audio playback from the player's S/PDIF output but that just seems crazy-inefficient.

i thought of a.pack because it will convert it from AC-3, but when you said Dolby Digital wav... what is Dolby Digital wav?

Havent tried it yet, it's on my long "to do" list. I just remembered it, after seeing your post. I also need to hijack my son's PC, as all my rigs are Macs!!!!

I can think of two ways to do this. The first solution uses the Neyrinck SoundCode For Dolby Digital plug-in: 1. Create a stereo track in Pro Tools. 2. Open the AudioSuite SoundCode Dolby Digital Decoder. 3. Set "decoding mode" to "data stream." Set "output stem format" to "stereo." Set "length" to "entire." 4. Place the cursor in the stereo track. 5. Choose your AC3 file with the "browse" control. 5. Click "Decode and Import." SoundCode will now import the AC3 stream into the stereo track, undecoded. 6. Use PT to export to a stereo interleaved 16-bit WAV file. The second solution is less precise because you will have to do a bit of editing and requires the ability to author a DVD. 1. Burn the AC3 file into a DVD movie using a DVD authoring tool. 2. Play the DVD using a DVD player with its digital output connected to a Pro Tools input. 3. Record the data stream to a stereo track. 4. Edit the track to start at the first frame of AC3 data and end after the last frame of AC3 data 4. Export to a stereo interleaved 16-bit WAV file. Paul Neyrinck

Ah, thank you Paul, that is what I want to do. I'm glad to know that SoundCode will do it, a definite timesaver for me! Your second solution is the brute force workaround I was trying to avoid. Now, you'll let me just "borrow" a copy of your plugin won't you?