Tag: track

Quick and Easy Convert DTS 5.1 or AAC 5.1 to Dolby Digital AC3 on Mac with MKV Tools

The Webernets3 Comments

MKV Tools can convert AAC and DTS to Dolby Digital!
MKV Tools Logo

A lot of new TV’s these days do not support the DTS Soundtrack found in BluRay and DVD discs. I learned this the hard way when I got my new 65 Inch Samsung 4K TV. A lot of older audio equipment can not play AAC 5.1 either. I have ripped a lot of my Blu Rays to a network drive and it seems a large number of them have DTS. Usually, us Mac users are left out, but in this case we have an awesome tool available to us to fix this easily called MKV Tools. It works very quickly as it allows the video to “Pass Through” without having to be re-encoded. Only the audio is touched. As you can see in the below screen capture of my source file in Media Info below, the video file I am starting with has a DTS sound track.

DTS Video File

To convert it to a more compatible AC3 format download and install MKV Tools HERE. Once you have opened MKV Tools you will need to choose “Open” to import your video file, as drag’n’drop is not supported in the unregistered version. At this point you will receive another “Nag” window. Just wait a few seconds and you will be able to select “Register Later”, then you can choose your video file. Once the file is imported you will see the main window.

 

MKV-Tools-Window-1

At this point you need to select the video and audio streams you need to work on, then you can start making adjustments.

MKV-Tools-Window-2

Once you have selected the Audio and Video channels, make sure video is set to “Pass Thru”. In the audio options, select AC3 (5.1) and deselect “Pass Thru”. Then set your desired bit rate. I prefer 640kb, but you can go down to 384kb comfortably without any real noticeable quality loss. Then, press the “Convert” but and MKV Tools will start converting your audio stream. A new tab will fold out underneath the main window where you can view the progress.

MKV-Tools-Window-3

 

Whilst MKV Tools is not technically free, it is a bargain at $5.99. You can use it without paying to re-encode as many videos as you like, but given how powerful and convenient it is, and how little it costs, its well worth buying/registering in my opinion. I did!

Make Songs Play In Track Number Order Instead Of Alphabetically On iPhone, iPad and iPod using Play Order in iTunes

The Webernets0 comment

Aerosmith MelbourneI was lucky enough to go and see Aerosmith at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena – It was a KICK ASS show!

After the show, we really wanted to have a souvenir, and thanks to Youtube, we got one. Some other folks at the show recorded it on their phones and uploaded it. Using Flash Video Downloader I was able to download their vids, and using the awesome and FREE MacX Video Converter, I was able to save the audio from their video files to MP3, then to iTunes, and then sync the songs to our iPhones, so we have a playlist of the show. How cool huh!

The problem was, that the songs played in alphabetical order instead of the order they played the songs on the night (Track number order).

Grrrr!!!
I did the whole Get Info thing in iTunes and set the track numbers….which didn’t work….

iTunes Track NumberI sync’d and sync’d to no avail. And then out of the blue, I right clicked the playlist, and there it was….PLAY ORDER!

homer-woohooThis is SO hidden! I learned that if your songs are listed in alphabetical order in the album view in iTunes, with the highlight in the song name column, and you right click (command click) the playlist and select “Copy To Play Order”, and then sync your device your songs will play in alphabetical order.

Play Order

copy-to-play-order

If you want your songs in your playlist to play in track number order on your device, click and highlight the track number column in iTunes,

Play Order

Then right click (command click) the play list and select “Copy To Play Order”

Play OrderNow Sync your device…….

YAY!