Have you installed DVD Architect - I believe this installs the AC3 codec. AC3 files should then just drag and drop onto the Vegas timeline as with normal WAV files.
Are you speculating, or have you actually dragged a .ac3 file onto the timeline before? In my experience (and I do have DVD Architect installed), Vegas' handling of .ac3 files is write-only, which is pretty sucky. If you try to drop one onto the timeline you get the "None of the files dropped on Vegas could be opened." error.
According to a post I found while doing a search just now, Vegas 6.0c did introduce the ability to import embedded AC3 streams in .mpg files dragged into the timeline, but still no separate .ac3 file support.
DVD Architect is installed. I can export to an AC3, but not import. I have to first convert an AC3 to WAV before it will import. Since it's only 2 channel, it's not a big deal (other than the loss in quality after rendering back to AC3), but this doesn't seem right.
Is it possible that I have to register for another serial number? (I know that Premiere works this way.) Thanks.
NO.. technically, if the AC3 stream has been embedded with copyright bit, then NO you cant import.. BUT in addition to this, the file itself wont import if its ben pre-encoded in vegas. I dont know why or how it behaves this way, but only certain AC3s can be imported.
What i do, if either rip the DVD with DVD shrink or just extract the files onto the HDD.
TI then use a program called besweet which extracts 6 individual wavs for each repscetive channel (2 for stereo obviously)
I thne import those waves into vegas and start from scracth..
long and convoluted, but it works