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Batch convert mkv audio to AC3 with ffmpeg

January 18th, 2023 Ubuntu Video Audio An audiomixer seen from the front

Step 1

Go to the directory where your files are.

Step 2

Make sure ffmpeg is installed.

Step 3

Use the following command to process the files.

1localhost ~$ for x in *.mkv; do ffmpeg -i "$x" -map 0:v -map 0:a:0 -map 0:s -c copy -c:a ac3 -b:a 640k "ac3-$x"; done

                
shell

Explanation: this command finds all .mkv files in the current direcory and converts the first audiostream to ac3 with a bitrate of 640k. The files are renamed with an “ac3-” prefix, so you can compare the result.

Step 4

Remove the old files after you have checked if the audio is still correct and synced to the video. Enjoy your video files.

About Marcel Bootsman

Marcel discovered the web in 1995. Since then he has paid attention to and worked with lots of technologies and founded his own WordPress oriented business nostromo.nl in 2009.

Currently Marcel is Marketing Manager for the Dutch Market at Kinsta where he helps Kinsta's client base grow in the Managed WordPress and Application & Database hosting arena.

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