Help with my DVD to HDD process

[TRiddle]

Hello all. I've searched high and low throughout the Sage forums and various other technical forums, and I can't seem to find an answer to what I'm looking for, or I'm just missing something so obvious to many others that are more experienced at this than I am. My problem is how to get my original DVD into an mkv container WITH audio. I need to use this method as space is an issue for my setup currently. I'm looking to take the original file (6gb or so) and compress it down to a size no bigger than 3gb. Here is my process:

1) Run DVD through AnyDVD
2) Use DVD Shrink to pull out the movie only and to cut all unnecessary audio and credits
3) Use handbrake to convert the video_ts file into an mkv container

It really doesn't seem all that complex until I try to play back the file through Sage. I have a hunch that it is my settings in handbrake since the ripped video_ts file plays beautifully in Sage whereas the mkv that I create does not. I'm not having a video playback issue, rather, I'm having a no audio at all issue with the mkv. My settings in handbrake are as follows:

format: mkv file
video codec: h.264
fps: same as source
average bitrate: 2000
audio tracks: source-automatic audio codec-ac3
advanced: ref=3:bframes=3:subq=6:me=umh:mixed-refs=1:weightb=1:brdo=1:analyse=all:no-fast-pskip=1

Any pointers or advice would be greatly appreciated at this point as this is starting to drive my crazy. Thanks.

[Jetracers]

Have you tried playing that file through VLC or window media player, i have a hunch that its a codec issue. also try changing your audio output device in detailed setup. Otherwise all of your other settings look correct.

[MorfiusX]

Not that what I do is exactly what you are aiming for, but it works great and I don't have to mess around with it. I use Windows Home Server with the MyMovies add-in. It support automatic ripping when using AnyDVD.

[TRiddle]

I've tried all of the codecs in my list. The device I use is my 7.1 sound card and I run digital coaxial out of it into my receiver. It is kind of a cumbersome setup right now because I have the htpc sitting on the kitchen table loading up all of the software and configuring it all and I'm just running a digital coaxial cable across the living room floor to the front port of the receiver. I know something has to be set right because the video_ts file plays back without a hitch, perfect video and 5.1 dolby digital. Only when the file gets converted to anything (i've tried all different containers in handbrake) does the audio just magically disappear. The audio codecs that I've mainly used and tested thus far are the cyberlink codec and the nvidia codec. I read something about the ac3 codec, so I downloaded it and applied the appropriate settings (use spdif, 5.1, etc.). Do I need to do some configuring in Sage before that filter can be used? If I remember correctly, Sage had a default AC3 filter in my selections before I ever downloaded it.

[TRiddle]

Well...

My AC3 filter is obviously working as it is popping up in the tray on the video_ts folder for my comparison.

When I try to play the mkv, wonderful video, still no audio, and no AC3 in the tray.

I ran graphedit on the particular mkv test file and it gives me a popup window stating "some of the streams in this movie are in an unsupported format". Otherwise, it shows the audio going through the HCW AC3 audio decoder, in and out of AC3 filter, and in to default direct sound device.

I'm attaching the output of my graphedit so that anyone with more knowledge on this than me can take a look and possibly help me fix my issue.

I should also note that the audio does not come through in WMP or VLC either.