Convert AC-3 Files on Mac
AC-3 (Dolby Digital) is an audio format using the .ac3 extension. Consul converts AC-3 files to 11 other formats, and 25 formats to AC-3. Rename a file's extension in Finder and Consul handles the conversion automatically.
What is AC-3?
AC-3, marketed as Dolby Digital, is Dolby Laboratories' lossy surround-sound codec, released in 1991. It carries up to 5.1 channels and is a mandatory audio format on DVD-Video and a baseline format on Blu-ray, ATSC digital TV, and game consoles. A raw .ac3 file holds a Dolby Digital elementary stream.
AC-3 uses lossy compression: encoders permanently discard some detail to keep files small. Converting to a lossless format later preserves the file exactly as it is now, but that discarded detail doesn't come back.
AC-3 was developed by Dolby Laboratories.
Opening AC-3 files on a Mac
The Music app can't import AC-3; it is primarily a surround-sound stream from DVDs, Blu-rays, and broadcast rather than a music-library format. afconvert can convert AC-3 from Terminal, e.g. to AAC or WAV.
Consul supports 36 conversions for AC-3
Consul is the easiest way to convert AC-3 files on your Mac, or to turn other files into AC-3. Rename file.ac3 to change its extension, and Consul converts it automatically.