Searching for an easy way to convert DTS audio to AC3 I found a great application called PopCorn MKV AudioConverter. You can download it here.
Many video files in MKV like movies or concerts contain DTS audio and some setup boxes or old A/V receivers can’t decode it while AC3 is a more standardized format, even for old players.
I gave a WD TV to my mom for christmas but her Home Theater didn’t have an optical input and the WD TV needed to output DTS audio via its optical output because it can’t decode that format.
By using this tool, only the audio will be converted and then remuxed again to a new MKV file, while the video will remain untouched.
Using PopCorn MKV AudioConverter is as easy as it gets. When you open it, it will automatically download all the needed files and tools. Then, its just a matter of specifying the source file, the destination file and deciding whether or not you want to keep the original DTS audio track inside the MKV file along with the new AC3 audio.
You can choose a file or a folder if you want to convert many files at once. If you want to keep the original DTS track, make sure to select the checkbox Preserve DTS Track.
When you are ready, click the Run button and the process will begin. It only takes between 5 or 10 minutes for 1 file depending on your computer.
You can use it to convert audio in other formats, not only DTS, if you want to.
Making images of hard drives is a useful way of having backup copies of all your information, including your entire operative system.
For many years, only a few companies made this kind of programs and they were expensive. But now, there are some free alternatives that make this possible without spending any money. Besides, they are pushing commercial products to lower its prices because of the new competition.
The industry is lead by two applications, Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost. These two are great and include an impressive array of options that many of the free applications don’t have. But most users won’t use them anyway.
DriveImage XML
The first application i want to talk you about is DriveImage XML, from Runtime Software.
Official description:
DriveImage XML is an easy to use and reliable program for imaging and backing up partitions and logical drives.
The program allows you to:
- Backup logical drives and partitions to image files
- Browse these images, view and extract files
- Restore these images to the same or a different drive
- Copy directly from drive to drive
- Schedule automatic backups with Windows Task Scheduler

Macrium Reflect Free
The second one is Macrium Reflect Free.
Official description:
- Create a disk image whilst running Windows using Microsoft Volume Shadow copy Service (VSS).
- Image to Network, USB, FireWire drives and DVD.
- Built in scheduler.
- 32 bit and native 64 bit versions.
- Industry leading compression levels and speed.
- Linux based Rescue CD with Network access and full GUI. Only 6.5MB in size!
- Built in CD/DVD packet writing engine. Supports packet writing to DVD DL media with Windows Vista.
- HTML log files.

No Excuses
There are free tools to make those important backup disk images. It is up to you which one to choose.
Personally, i liked Macrium Reflect Free feature set.