Can I just re-encode audio?

[claimed4all]

I have some DVD rips and downloads. My TVs USB port is very picky on formats, so I just re-encode everything to make sure it works. I have figured out that all my video is encoded right, its the audio that is wrong.

So with Handbrake (or other free program) can I just re-encode audio without touching the video?

It just takes a long time to re-encode it all when only the audio is wrong. Thanks

 

[a2gin2]

In short, the answer is yes - but it really depends on which audio formats you are working with. Also, I am assuming your video container is an mp4 or mov of some kind.

First I would check out iVideoConverter here. The problem I have found is when you want to do anything with multichannel (e.g. 5.1) audio. iVideoConverter says it can convert multichannel audio, such as 6 channel AAC to 5.1 AC3, but in fact it does a real crap job of that, and I have found the channel mapping to be totally off. So, if you are looking to change a stereo track from one format to another, ivideoconverter may well work for you. If you are working with multichannel / surround tracks, I have not found a good mac program, especially a free one, for conversion.

What does work well, however, is MEGUI for windows (here). I run parallels and use MEGUI to convert the audio. It too does a nice job of 5.1 to DPLII, like handbrake.

After you have your audio sorted, you can just mux it all back together using Subler.

Hope this helps.

 

[kolax]

I've had audio sync problems when encoding it separately from the video (i.e. different application and then merging video and audio together again).