Would it be possible to add an additional column in the Multiplexer and Header Editor for either Format or Commercial name? Can this information also be displayed in the Info tool?
The reason for this ask is to help better determine what type of DTS audio tracks an MKV has. I have noticed that regardless of the type of DTS audio, the Codec/Mime type column in Header editor is always A_DTS. The Codec column in the Multiplexer does a little bit better job and distinguishes between DTS-HD Master Audio and other types of DTS audio, but even in this case it doesn’t identify if its DTS-HD Master Audio with DTS:X.
When I use MediaInfo (and MKVCleaver), it has additional information that lets me better know what type of DTS Audio it is. For example:
Codec ID: A_DTS
Format: DTS XLL X
Commercial name: DTS-HD MA + DTS:X
As you can see from above, although all of the above codecs have a codec ID of A_DTS, there are at least four different types of DTS (that I have come across). I am not sure if the “Commercial name” is something that is specific to MediaInfo and/or if this field is embedded in the MKV, but “Format” (DTS XLL X/DTS XLL/DTS XBR/DTS) does appear to be info that is in the MKV (I’ve seen MKVCleaver also use this field). Displaying either of these fields will help identify which DTS audio it is exactly without having to go into an external tool. I then use this info to update the Name field with a more descriptive name (for example if Format = DTS XLL X, instead of just Surround 7.1, call it DTS-HD Master Audio + DTS:X Surround 7.1).
This is simply how Matroska works. We don’t have different codec IDs for different variants of DTS as all DTS decoders are supposed to either be able to decode what they receive or skip the parts they don’t support.
TrueHD & AC-3 are completely different codecs, though. E-AC-3 is different enough, too.
Note that there are sub-variants for both AC-3 & E-AC-3 that aren’t expressed as different codec IDs either, just like A_DTS.
I’m not willing to implement more detailed codec type analysis. If you need that info, right-click on the file or track & launch MediaInfo from MKVToolNix GUI. Sorry.
Right I understand regarding the codec ID which is why I proposed just adding a column that would provide the needed info, such as the Format field. I am not sure if the Format field is already in the MKV, or if its something that MediaInfo computes on the fly that requires codec type analysis. If it does require analysis, then I understand your reason for not wanting to implement. Is there any other field that could be displayed that provides this info and doesn’t require codec analysis?
MediaInfo analyses the content of the “codec private” track header element & the content of the first frame(s) in order to determine what you call the “Format”. There’s no track header element nor any other element that contains what you want in Matroska.
BTW, thanks regarding the tip of right-clicking on the file to launch MediaInfo. Although I had seen that feature before, I completely forgot that it existed. This ultimately does solve my issue since it makes launching MediaInfo for the file I am viewing in MKVToolNix a lot easier.