Why EAC3 is the Next Big Thing in Audio
In the world of digital audio, EAC3 (Enhanced AC3 or Dolby Digital Plus) is a widely used codec, especially popular in streaming services and broadcast TV.
EAC3 audio can be found within various container formats, such as MKV (Matroska), MP4, AVI, and TS (Transport Stream), ensuring broad compatibility for streaming and local playback.
EAC3 is the Next Big Thing due to its ability to deliver high-quality surround sound while maintaining efficient compression.
But what exactly makes EAC3 stand out compared to other codecs like AC3 or AAC? Let's see what EAC3 offers and why it might be your first option for immersive audio.
EAC3, or Dolby Digital Plus, is the only codec that can send Dolby Atmos audio directly when streaming or on digital broadcasts.
While you can’t convert TrueHD with Atmos to EAC3, it can still carry Atmos, making it popular on streaming platforms for surround sound.
Is EAC3 better than AC3?
EAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus) is generally better than AC3 in terms of compression efficiency and audio quality at any given bitrate.
EAC3 offers better sound at lower data rates, making it a more advanced and efficient codec, especially for handling multi-channel audio in digital environments.
What about AAC, is it better?
Both EAC3 and AAC provide high-quality audio at similar bitrates, but EAC3 typically offers better support for higher bit rates and sample rates.
If you're working with more complex audio setups or need better sound for demanding applications, EAC3 might provide superior quality over AAC. However, AAC still remains a popular codec due to its versatility and efficiency in different environments.
What makes EAC3 different from AC3?
EAC3, or Dolby Digital Plus, is the successor to AC3 (Dolby Digital) and introduces several improvements.
While AC3 supports up to five full-bandwidth audio channels at a maximum bitrate of 640 kbit/s, EAC3 can support up to 15 channels at a much higher bitrate of 6.144 Mbit/s.
This makes EAC3 better suited for modern multi-channel setups and offers a broader range of data rates for various applications, making it ideal for streaming, broadcasting, and storage of high-quality audio.
Which players support EAC3?
Many modern media players, streaming devices, and platforms are compatible with EAC3. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video use EAC3 to deliver Dolby Digital Plus and Atmos soundtracks.
For local playback, apps like VLC Media Player, Plex, and Amazon MX Player (for Android devices) can handle EAC3 audio tracks.
Also most modern smart TVs, AV receivers, and soundbars support the format, ensuring you can enjoy high-quality audio without compatibility issues.
Pro Tip: If you're working with EAC3 files and need a reliable conversion or extraction tool, consider using eac3to. It supports E-AC3 along with other high-definition formats like DTS-HD and TrueHD — download eac3to
To answer the title question, "Why EAC3 is the Next Big Thing in Audio?", well... EAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus) is positioned to be a key player in the future of audio industry.
This is largely due to its superior compression capabilities, support for more audio channels, and compatibility with advanced formats like Dolby Atmos. Its efficient use of bandwidth makes it a perfect fit for modern streaming platforms, delivering high-quality audio without compromising performance.
As more media services and devices embrace EAC3, it is rapidly becoming the preferred solution for immersive, multi-channel sound experiences.
