Audio Formats - Multiple Tracks

[JWF]

I'm transcoding my DVDs so that I can watch them on:

My Sony Vaio PC using either WPM or VLC (preferrably VLC)
My iPad using Flatscreen TV.

I'm using the mp4/m4v format, so that they're all capable of playing the transcoded DVD.

Regarding Audio formats WMP, VLC and Loewe plays Auto Passthru of the DVDs "AC3/2 EN" audio track. Quicktime doesn't. Quictime only plays the AAC format.

Question 1:
If I set Handbrake to AAC Passthru, what audio mode will the mp4 file be in: AC3 or AAC?
If the latter (AAC) I difficulty understanding how one can have a "Passthru" of AC# and still get AAC in the end.

Question 2:
As a test I used "Auto Passthru" (which Quicktime doesn't play) and then added a 2. track - an AAC track - in the hope, that WMP, VLC and Loewe would use the 1. track i.e "Auto Passthru" and Quicktime would use the 2. track i.e. the added AAC track.

It doesn't work .Quicktime doesn't pick up the 2. track, and will play, but without sound.

Am I using "the 2. track" opyion wrongly?
What is the 2. track good for if not for solving a problem like the above?

Question 3:
In the Audio menu of Handbrake to the left of "Add track" and "Clear" there are 5 checkboxes (Auto Passthru; MP3; AAC; AC3 and DTSHD - they are all checked.

What are the used for?
I can't find an explanation in the Handbrake Help Function.

Question 4:
Similarly there's a "Fallback" box.

What is it the used for?
I can't find an explanation in the Handbrake Help Function.


Thanks Jan


Below I provide you the Activity Log. Is there a better way to provide this f.ex. in the form of an attachment to my topic?

HandBrake 0.9.9.5530 - 64bit Version
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 6.2.9200.0
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz
Ram: 8130 MB, Screen: 2560x1440
Temp Dir: C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\AppData\Local\Temp\
Install Dir: C:\Program Files\Handbrake
Data Dir: C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\AppData\Roaming\HandBrake\HandBrake\0.9.9.5530

-------------------------------------------
-i "C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl" -t0 --min-duration=10 -v
[12:19:35] hb_init: starting libhb thread
HandBrake 0.9.9 (2013052900) - MinGW x86_64 - http://handbrake.fr
4 CPUs detected
Opening C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl...
[12:19:35] hb_scan: path=C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl, title_index=0
libbluray/bdnav/index_parse.c:162: indx_parse(): error opening C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl/BDMV/index.bdmv
libbluray/bdnav/index_parse.c:162: indx_parse(): error opening C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl/BDMV/BACKUP/index.bdmv
libbluray/bluray.c:1725: nav_get_title_list(C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl) failed (0000000001BD50B0)
[12:19:35] bd: not a bd - trying as a stream/file instead
libdvdnav: Using dvdnav version 4.1.3
libdvdread: Encrypted DVD support unavailable.
libdvdread: Device (null) inaccessible, CSS authentication not available.
NAME OPEN FAILED
libdvdnav: Unable to find home directorylibdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
libdvdread: Encrypted DVD support unavailable.
libdvdread: Device (null) inaccessible, CSS authentication not available.
[12:19:35] scan: DVD has 4 title(s)
[12:19:35] scan: scanning title 1
[12:19:35] scan: opening IFO for VTS 1
[12:19:35] scan: duration is 01:44:09 (6249010 ms)
[12:19:35] pgc_id: 1, pgn: 1: pgc: 0000000001BD9C30
[12:19:35] scan: vts=1, ttn=1, cells=0->15, blocks=0->2796931, 2796932 blocks
[12:19:35] scan: checking audio 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x80bd, lang=English (AC3), 3cc=eng ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x20bd, lang=Svenska, 3cc=swe ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 2
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x21bd, lang=Norsk, 3cc=nor ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 3
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x22bd, lang=Dansk, 3cc=dan ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 4
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x23bd, lang=Suomi, 3cc=fin ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: title 1 has 16 chapters
[12:19:35] scan: chap 1 c=0->0, b=0->176971 (176972), 415591 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 2 c=1->1, b=176972->308722 (131751), 325423 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 3 c=2->2, b=308723->468427 (159705), 399499 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 4 c=3->3, b=468428->647695 (179268), 377332 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 5 c=4->4, b=647696->897667 (249972), 493689 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 6 c=5->5, b=897668->1057961 (160294), 343257 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 7 c=6->6, b=1057962->1229545 (171584), 330497 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 8 c=7->7, b=1229546->1450869 (221324), 425688 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 9 c=8->8, b=1450870->1599980 (149111), 301315 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 10 c=9->9, b=1599981->1795126 (195146), 396506 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 11 c=10->10, b=1795127->2000713 (205587), 404512 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 12 c=11->11, b=2000714->2184857 (184144), 390502 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 13 c=12->12, b=2184858->2432608 (247751), 630762 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 14 c=13->13, b=2432609->2583542 (150934), 423377 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 15 c=14->14, b=2583543->2750172 (166630), 429691 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 16 c=15->15, b=2750173->2796931 (46759), 161360 ms
[12:19:35] scan: aspect = 1.33333
[12:19:35] scan: scanning title 2
[12:19:35] scan: opening IFO for VTS 1
[12:19:35] scan: duration is 00:00:13 (13050 ms)
[12:19:35] pgc_id: 2, pgn: 1: pgc: 0000000001BDF990
[12:19:35] scan: vts=1, ttn=2, cells=0->0, blocks=2796932->2802972, 6041 blocks
[12:19:35] scan: checking audio 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x80bd, lang=English (AC3), 3cc=eng ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x20bd, lang=Svenska, 3cc=swe ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 2
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x21bd, lang=Norsk, 3cc=nor ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 3
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x22bd, lang=Dansk, 3cc=dan ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 4
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x23bd, lang=Suomi, 3cc=fin ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: title 2 has 1 chapters
[12:19:35] scan: chap 1 c=0->0, b=2796932->2802972 (6041), 13050 ms
[12:19:35] scan: aspect = 1.33333
[12:19:35] scan: scanning title 3
[12:19:35] scan: opening IFO for VTS 1
[12:19:35] scan: duration is 00:00:00 (10 ms)
[12:19:35] scan: ignoring title (too short)
[12:19:35] scan: scanning title 4
[12:19:35] scan: opening IFO for VTS 1
[12:19:35] scan: duration is 00:00:14 (14000 ms)
[12:19:35] pgc_id: 4, pgn: 1: pgc: 0000000001BDF630
[12:19:35] scan: vts=1, ttn=4, cells=0->0, blocks=2802978->2808363, 5386 blocks
[12:19:35] scan: checking audio 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x80bd, lang=English (AC3), 3cc=eng ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x20bd, lang=Svenska, 3cc=swe ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 2
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x21bd, lang=Norsk, 3cc=nor ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 3
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x22bd, lang=Dansk, 3cc=dan ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 4
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x23bd, lang=Suomi, 3cc=fin ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: title 4 has 1 chapters
[12:19:35] scan: chap 1 c=0->0, b=2802978->2808363 (5386), 14000 ms
[12:19:35] scan: aspect = 1.33333
libdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
[12:19:35] scan: decoding previews for title 1
libdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
[12:19:35] scan: title angle(s) 1
[12:19:35] scan: audio 0x80bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=192000 English (AC3) (2.0 ch)
[12:19:35] scan: 10 previews, 720x576, 25.000 fps, autocrop = 0/0/20/10, aspect 4:3, PAR 16:15
[12:19:35] scan: decoding previews for title 2
libdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
[12:19:35] scan: title angle(s) 1
[12:19:35] scan: audio 0x80bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=224000 English (AC3) (2.0 ch)
[12:19:35] scan: 10 previews, 720x576, 25.000 fps, autocrop = 92/92/80/76, aspect 4:3, PAR 16:15
[12:19:35] scan: decoding previews for title 4
libdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
[12:19:35] scan: title angle(s) 1
[12:19:35] scan: audio 0x80bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=192000 English (AC3) (2.0 ch)
[12:19:35] libhb: scan thread found 3 valid title(s)
+ title 1:
+ Main Feature
+ vts 1, ttn 1, cells 0->15 (2796932 blocks)
+ duration: 01:44:09
+ size: 720x576, pixel aspect: 16/15, display aspect: 1.33, 25.000 fps
+ autocrop: 0/0/20/10
+ chapters:
+ 1: cells 0->0, 176972 blocks, duration 00:06:56
+ 2: cells 1->1, 131751 blocks, duration 00:05:25
+ 3: cells 2->2, 159705 blocks, duration 00:06:39
+ 4: cells 3->3, 179268 blocks, duration 00:06:17
+ 5: cells 4->4, 249972 blocks, duration 00:08:14
+ 6: cells 5->5, 160294 blocks, duration 00:05:43
+ 7: cells 6->6, 171584 blocks, duration 00:05:30
+ 8: cells 7->7, 221324 blocks, duration 00:07:06
+ 9: cells 8->8, 149111 blocks, duration 00:05:01
+ 10: cells 9->9, 195146 blocks, duration 00:06:37
+ 11: cells 10->10, 205587 blocks, duration 00:06:45
+ 12: cells 11->11, 184144 blocks, duration 00:06:31
+ 13: cells 12->12, 247751 blocks, duration 00:10:31
+ 14: cells 13->13, 150934 blocks, duration 00:07:03
+ 15: cells 14->14, 166630 blocks, duration 00:07:10
+ 16: cells 15->15, 46759 blocks, duration 00:02:41
+ audio tracks:
+ 1, English (AC3) (2.0 ch) (iso639-2: eng), 48000Hz, 192000bps
+ subtitle tracks:
+ 1, Svenska (iso639-2: swe) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 2, Norsk (iso639-2: nor) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 3, Dansk (iso639-2: dan) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 4, Suomi (iso639-2: fin) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ title 2:
+ vts 1, ttn 2, cells 0->0 (6041 blocks)
+ duration: 00:00:13
+ size: 720x576, pixel aspect: 16/15, display aspect: 1.33, 25.000 fps
+ autocrop: 92/92/80/76
+ chapters:
+ 1: cells 0->0, 6041 blocks, duration 00:00:13
+ audio tracks:
+ 1, English (AC3) (2.0 ch) (iso639-2: eng), 48000Hz, 224000bps
+ subtitle tracks:
+ 1, Svenska (iso639-2: swe) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 2, Norsk (iso639-2: nor) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 3, Dansk (iso639-2: dan) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 4, Suomi (iso639-2: fin) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ title 4:
+ vts 1, ttn 4, cells 0->0 (5386 blocks)
+ duration: 00:00:14
+ size: 720x576, pixel aspect: 16/15, display aspect: 1.33, 25.000 fps
+ autocrop: 0/0/0/0
+ chapters:
+ 1: cells 0->0, 5386 blocks, duration 00:00:14
+ audio tracks:
+ 1, English (AC3) (2.0 ch) (iso639-2: eng), 48000Hz, 192000bps
+ subtitle tracks:
+ 1, Svenska (iso639-2: swe) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 2, Norsk (iso639-2: nor) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 3, Dansk (iso639-2: dan) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 4, Suomi (iso639-2: fin) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
HandBrake has exited.


HandBrake 0.9.9.5530 - 64bit Version
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 6.2.9200.0
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz
Ram: 8130 MB, Screen: 2560x1440
Temp Dir: C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\AppData\Local\Temp\
Install Dir: C:\Program Files\Handbrake
Data Dir: C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\AppData\Roaming\HandBrake\HandBrake\0.9.9.5530

-------------------------------------------
-i "C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl" -t0 --min-duration=10 -v
[12:19:35] hb_init: starting libhb thread
HandBrake 0.9.9 (2013052900) - MinGW x86_64 - http://handbrake.fr
4 CPUs detected
Opening C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl...
[12:19:35] hb_scan: path=C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl, title_index=0
libbluray/bdnav/index_parse.c:162: indx_parse(): error opening C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl/BDMV/index.bdmv
libbluray/bdnav/index_parse.c:162: indx_parse(): error opening C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl/BDMV/BACKUP/index.bdmv
libbluray/bluray.c:1725: nav_get_title_list(C:\Users\Jan W. Folting\Desktop\Morse - test\Rå Morse HELE FILMEN med CloneDVD2\clonedvd2 dvd r dl) failed (0000000001BD50B0)
[12:19:35] bd: not a bd - trying as a stream/file instead
libdvdnav: Using dvdnav version 4.1.3
libdvdread: Encrypted DVD support unavailable.
libdvdread: Device (null) inaccessible, CSS authentication not available.
NAME OPEN FAILED
libdvdnav: Unable to find home directorylibdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
libdvdread: Encrypted DVD support unavailable.
libdvdread: Device (null) inaccessible, CSS authentication not available.
[12:19:35] scan: DVD has 4 title(s)
[12:19:35] scan: scanning title 1
[12:19:35] scan: opening IFO for VTS 1
[12:19:35] scan: duration is 01:44:09 (6249010 ms)
[12:19:35] pgc_id: 1, pgn: 1: pgc: 0000000001BD9C30
[12:19:35] scan: vts=1, ttn=1, cells=0->15, blocks=0->2796931, 2796932 blocks
[12:19:35] scan: checking audio 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x80bd, lang=English (AC3), 3cc=eng ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x20bd, lang=Svenska, 3cc=swe ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 2
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x21bd, lang=Norsk, 3cc=nor ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 3
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x22bd, lang=Dansk, 3cc=dan ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 4
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x23bd, lang=Suomi, 3cc=fin ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: title 1 has 16 chapters
[12:19:35] scan: chap 1 c=0->0, b=0->176971 (176972), 415591 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 2 c=1->1, b=176972->308722 (131751), 325423 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 3 c=2->2, b=308723->468427 (159705), 399499 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 4 c=3->3, b=468428->647695 (179268), 377332 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 5 c=4->4, b=647696->897667 (249972), 493689 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 6 c=5->5, b=897668->1057961 (160294), 343257 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 7 c=6->6, b=1057962->1229545 (171584), 330497 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 8 c=7->7, b=1229546->1450869 (221324), 425688 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 9 c=8->8, b=1450870->1599980 (149111), 301315 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 10 c=9->9, b=1599981->1795126 (195146), 396506 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 11 c=10->10, b=1795127->2000713 (205587), 404512 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 12 c=11->11, b=2000714->2184857 (184144), 390502 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 13 c=12->12, b=2184858->2432608 (247751), 630762 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 14 c=13->13, b=2432609->2583542 (150934), 423377 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 15 c=14->14, b=2583543->2750172 (166630), 429691 ms
[12:19:35] scan: chap 16 c=15->15, b=2750173->2796931 (46759), 161360 ms
[12:19:35] scan: aspect = 1.33333
[12:19:35] scan: scanning title 2
[12:19:35] scan: opening IFO for VTS 1
[12:19:35] scan: duration is 00:00:13 (13050 ms)
[12:19:35] pgc_id: 2, pgn: 1: pgc: 0000000001BDF990
[12:19:35] scan: vts=1, ttn=2, cells=0->0, blocks=2796932->2802972, 6041 blocks
[12:19:35] scan: checking audio 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x80bd, lang=English (AC3), 3cc=eng ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x20bd, lang=Svenska, 3cc=swe ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 2
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x21bd, lang=Norsk, 3cc=nor ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 3
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x22bd, lang=Dansk, 3cc=dan ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 4
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x23bd, lang=Suomi, 3cc=fin ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: title 2 has 1 chapters
[12:19:35] scan: chap 1 c=0->0, b=2796932->2802972 (6041), 13050 ms
[12:19:35] scan: aspect = 1.33333
[12:19:35] scan: scanning title 3
[12:19:35] scan: opening IFO for VTS 1
[12:19:35] scan: duration is 00:00:00 (10 ms)
[12:19:35] scan: ignoring title (too short)
[12:19:35] scan: scanning title 4
[12:19:35] scan: opening IFO for VTS 1
[12:19:35] scan: duration is 00:00:14 (14000 ms)
[12:19:35] pgc_id: 4, pgn: 1: pgc: 0000000001BDF630
[12:19:35] scan: vts=1, ttn=4, cells=0->0, blocks=2802978->2808363, 5386 blocks
[12:19:35] scan: checking audio 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x80bd, lang=English (AC3), 3cc=eng ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 1
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x20bd, lang=Svenska, 3cc=swe ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 2
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x21bd, lang=Norsk, 3cc=nor ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 3
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x22bd, lang=Dansk, 3cc=dan ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: checking subtitle 4
[12:19:35] scan: id=0x23bd, lang=Suomi, 3cc=fin ext=1
[12:19:35] scan: title 4 has 1 chapters
[12:19:35] scan: chap 1 c=0->0, b=2802978->2808363 (5386), 14000 ms
[12:19:35] scan: aspect = 1.33333
libdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
[12:19:35] scan: decoding previews for title 1
libdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
[12:19:35] scan: title angle(s) 1
[12:19:35] scan: audio 0x80bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=192000 English (AC3) (2.0 ch)
[12:19:35] scan: 10 previews, 720x576, 25.000 fps, autocrop = 0/0/20/10, aspect 4:3, PAR 16:15
[12:19:35] scan: decoding previews for title 2
libdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
[12:19:35] scan: title angle(s) 1
[12:19:35] scan: audio 0x80bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=224000 English (AC3) (2.0 ch)
[12:19:35] scan: 10 previews, 720x576, 25.000 fps, autocrop = 92/92/80/76, aspect 4:3, PAR 16:15
[12:19:35] scan: decoding previews for title 4
libdvdnav: DVD disk reports itself with Region mask 0x00000000. Regions: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
[12:19:35] scan: title angle(s) 1
[12:19:35] scan: audio 0x80bd: AC-3, rate=48000Hz, bitrate=192000 English (AC3) (2.0 ch)
[12:19:35] libhb: scan thread found 3 valid title(s)
+ title 1:
+ Main Feature
+ vts 1, ttn 1, cells 0->15 (2796932 blocks)
+ duration: 01:44:09
+ size: 720x576, pixel aspect: 16/15, display aspect: 1.33, 25.000 fps
+ autocrop: 0/0/20/10
+ chapters:
+ 1: cells 0->0, 176972 blocks, duration 00:06:56
+ 2: cells 1->1, 131751 blocks, duration 00:05:25
+ 3: cells 2->2, 159705 blocks, duration 00:06:39
+ 4: cells 3->3, 179268 blocks, duration 00:06:17
+ 5: cells 4->4, 249972 blocks, duration 00:08:14
+ 6: cells 5->5, 160294 blocks, duration 00:05:43
+ 7: cells 6->6, 171584 blocks, duration 00:05:30
+ 8: cells 7->7, 221324 blocks, duration 00:07:06
+ 9: cells 8->8, 149111 blocks, duration 00:05:01
+ 10: cells 9->9, 195146 blocks, duration 00:06:37
+ 11: cells 10->10, 205587 blocks, duration 00:06:45
+ 12: cells 11->11, 184144 blocks, duration 00:06:31
+ 13: cells 12->12, 247751 blocks, duration 00:10:31
+ 14: cells 13->13, 150934 blocks, duration 00:07:03
+ 15: cells 14->14, 166630 blocks, duration 00:07:10
+ 16: cells 15->15, 46759 blocks, duration 00:02:41
+ audio tracks:
+ 1, English (AC3) (2.0 ch) (iso639-2: eng), 48000Hz, 192000bps
+ subtitle tracks:
+ 1, Svenska (iso639-2: swe) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 2, Norsk (iso639-2: nor) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 3, Dansk (iso639-2: dan) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 4, Suomi (iso639-2: fin) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ title 2:
+ vts 1, ttn 2, cells 0->0 (6041 blocks)
+ duration: 00:00:13
+ size: 720x576, pixel aspect: 16/15, display aspect: 1.33, 25.000 fps
+ autocrop: 92/92/80/76
+ chapters:
+ 1: cells 0->0, 6041 blocks, duration 00:00:13
+ audio tracks:
+ 1, English (AC3) (2.0 ch) (iso639-2: eng), 48000Hz, 224000bps
+ subtitle tracks:
+ 1, Svenska (iso639-2: swe) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 2, Norsk (iso639-2: nor) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 3, Dansk (iso639-2: dan) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 4, Suomi (iso639-2: fin) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ title 4:
+ vts 1, ttn 4, cells 0->0 (5386 blocks)
+ duration: 00:00:14
+ size: 720x576, pixel aspect: 16/15, display aspect: 1.33, 25.000 fps
+ autocrop: 0/0/0/0
+ chapters:
+ 1: cells 0->0, 5386 blocks, duration 00:00:14
+ audio tracks:
+ 1, English (AC3) (2.0 ch) (iso639-2: eng), 48000Hz, 192000bps
+ subtitle tracks:
+ 1, Svenska (iso639-2: swe) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 2, Norsk (iso639-2: nor) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 3, Dansk (iso639-2: dan) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
+ 4, Suomi (iso639-2: fin) (Bitmap)(VOBSUB)
HandBrake has exited.

[Smithcraft]

1 - Pass through can only pass a stream through. If you don't have that stream, then Handbrake will use the fallback encoder which you can either use the default or I think you can pick one.

2 - I would venture to guess that QuickTime doesn't look for the second track. I would recommend that you use Perian, but that won't work for you. Try using an ATV preset which will put the AAC track first and the pass through track as the second track.

3 - In the Windows version, you have to select which streams Auto Passthru will pass through. Select none, and Auto won't pass any through, select them all, and Auto will pass those streams through. Fallback indicates, and IIRC lets you select, the fallback encoding type for audio streams that are not in the pass through stream selection.

To note, those are scan logs and not encode logs. If you need more help with the problems in the file in question 2, then post the encode log for that file.
It is also preferred if you put the logs in code blocks rather than just pasting them in. You can also use Pastebin if it's an extremely long log.

SC

[ckronengold]

3 - In the Windows version, you have to select which streams Auto Passthru will pass through. Select none, and Auto won't pass any through, select them all, and Auto will pass those streams through. Fallback indicates, and IIRC lets you select, the fallback encoding type for audio streams that are not in the pass through stream selection.

SC

I was just struggling with understanding the auto passthru myself, and since I see you've answered this a few times (on a few boards) I figured I'd just ask.

For my encodes which I use to stream, I am aiming for an mp4 file with just the stereo audio track. I understand that HandBrake can't pass through something that doesn't exist, but if, for example, all of the auto passthru boxes are checked, its going to include those audio streams as well?

In my Audio Tracks setting, I have the source (AC3, in this case), and the mixdown set to Stereo. If I leave AC3 checked in the passthru, it will automatically include the AC3 track as well as the stereo tracks I want? It doesn't appear that way when I check in MediaInfo.

Testing an encode right now to see the results, but curious what your take is.

[Deleted User 13735]

Auto passthrough is a single option: if all of the selected codecs fail, it falls back to the default encoder.

[Smithcraft]

No, Handbrake will not include anything you don't tell it to include. If you tell it to have your stereo track, and don't tell it to have the AC3 track, it won't include the AC3 track.

Checking the auto passthrough selection boxes is only telling the Windows version of Handbrake what types of audio streams to pass through when the user selects the auto pass through option. I believe in the other versions of Handbrake, auto pass through automatically passes through any supported audio stream(no LPCM or TrueHD).

SC

[JWF]

To note, those are scan logs and not encode logs. If you need more help with the problems in the file in question 2, then post the encode log for that file.
It is also preferred if you put the logs in code blocks rather than just pasting them in. You can also use Pastebin if it's an extremely long log.

SC

Thanks Smithcraft!

I've posted the "Encode Log" in Pastebin.com under JWF. It will be there for 1 week. Hopefully I got it right this time.

Further to my question no. 2. I'm still not sure I fully understand the multiple audio option. The reason I'm so interested in the audio options is my diminished hearing capacity.

I've now tested a DVD with only one audiotrack "AC3/2/EN". This DVD is transcoded into a mp4 file (for some reason the file is actually saved as an m4v file, but that doesn't matter) with 2 audiotracks using Handbrake. The 1. audiotrack is an "Auto Passthru", which I assume means that the original English AC3 is passed through. The 2. audiotrack is an AAC (ffmpeg); 160 bitrate; 48 sample rate also in English.

According to findings on the Internet the AAC format is supposed to be superior to the AC3 at the same bitrate, however an "AC 3 Passthru" is supposed to be suprior to a compression/conversion from AC3 to AAC.

Question 1: Are there in your opinion any material difference between AAC and AC3 - other than technical, I mean. Can the human ear tell the difference?

Basically I'm indifferent to the formats. I just want the best due to my hearing problem.

As stated before WMP and VLC on my Sony Vaio as well as my Loewe Flatscreen TV (not using ATV, but my Synology NAS) playes the mp4 file beautifully. However, on neither was I given the option to select between the two audiotracks.

Question 2: Which of the two audiotracks is used by WMP, VLC and Loewe?

Also as stated before Quicktime on my PC can play the mp4, but without the sound, as Quicktime apparently doesn't pick up audiotrack 2.

However, I find it strange, that I can play the mp4 file on my iPad2. As mentioned I use a Synology NAS, which can be accessed by my iPad2 using WLAN and an app called "DS Video". Even more strange is that iPad2 gives me a choice of playing the mp4 using either of the two audiotracks. No matter which mp4 audiotrack I choose, iPad2 works equally well.

I would have thought, that iPad2 being an Apple product would use Quicktime and therefore not be able to play the mp4, but apprarently this is not the case.

Question 3: Do you have any idea, why Quicktime can't play the mp4 with two audiotracks, whereas iPad2 can?

Thanks in advance
Jan

[Deleted User 13735]

1. Usually not. AAC is slightly newer than AC3, and can have a slightly higher HF rolloff at a given bitrate.
2. The first by default. VLC lets you select the audio track via the context menu.
3. Because Quicktime is a relic, and may not support AC3 at all.

[Smithcraft]

Also, AC3 can have the DRC (Dynamic Range Compression) so that might have an affect on how well you can hear the sounds, and AAC does not have DRC which might mute everything to one level.

I use a Mac, so I also use a system extension called Perian which enables QuickTime to do more than just the stock version of QuickTime.

SC

[JWF]

Many thanks to Smithcraft and musicvid for as always very useful insight.

Jan