What type of movie or sound files have Dolby AC3 audio?

[joshg]

Just wondering, what type of files can I download that support Dolby Digital AC3 sound ? I'd like to try and play them through PowerDVD using S/PDIF out, to get 5.1 channel sound. Does anyone know what file types support this, and even where I could download some maybe? Thanks!

- Josh

 

[bevancoleman]

DVD audio is about the only thing that supports AC3 sound. I've beleive that Dolby have a demo file (their heli scene) that you can download of their site (not 100% sure where from)

 

[joshg]

Hi I've been looking into it quite a bit... it seems that you can download .vob files (which are the files on a DVD movie disc, as well), which are the format of the THX and Dolby test files. Also, there are .ac3 files which are just dolby audio. And, somewhere/how there might be .aac files, too, which are supposedly 30% less filesize than mp3 but 70% better sound quality than mp3, and they support dolby surround sound, too.

Another interesting note, it's possible to have a .avi file with AC3 audio, but an AC3 codec has to be installed for you to hear it.