ac3 is a popular audio format in Video DVDs.

Where is the ac3 standard described as a file format? Does the Linux "file" command recognize ac3...or do you need a plugin for "file"?

In trying to make some Video DVDs, I would like to be able to have the option to listen to the audio files in a separate audio program such as Banshee. I also would like to be able to edit and export files into the ac3 format with an audio editor like Audacity.

Are there ac3 plugins for Banshee and Audacity?

Is there an ac3 development library and documentation?

Google comes out with many hits:
http://parumi.wordpress.com/2007/12/...ideo-in-linux/
In Audacity, click 'Edit' > 'Preferences' and use the link to the FFMPEG Library.

Have you done this?

I know that ffmpeg can convert to other audio formats. That is nothing new. But, does Audacity and Banshee have ac3 plugins that let you work on them seemlessly?

Per a previous post on Video DVD, it is important to only use certain bit rates and sample rates for ac3. It was NOT in the man pages for ffmpeg, so it could seem like ffmpeg does not handle ac3.

ac3 is a standard audio format for many Video DVDs that use NTSC.