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Audio Codec and Channel Layout: Requirements and Fixes

Filmhub checks audio codec, compression, and channel layout before your video begins uploading. This covers what we require and how to make sure your export meets it.

Audio codecs

Your audio must use one of the following:

  • PCM (Linear PCM / Uncompressed) -- minimum 48 kHz, 16-bit. Recommended for ProRes and DNxHD/HR master files
  • AAC -- minimum 128 kbps stereo; 320 kbps recommended. Standard for H.264/H.265 exports
  • AC-3 (Dolby Digital) -- minimum 192 kbps. Accepted for 5.1 surround
  • MP3 -- minimum 128 kbps stereo. Accepted but not preferred for master files

Codecs outside this list (Vorbis, WMA, FLAC, etc.) are not supported.

Audio quality

  • Levels should average around -24 LUFS minimum
  • No clipping, phasing, distortion, dropouts, ticks, or pops
  • The mix must be center-balanced, especially dialogue

Channel layout

Every video needs at least one properly labeled stereo stream: a single audio stream with 2 channels, labeled as Stereo or Lt/Rt Downmix. This is required in all cases. Surround is also supported but must include a discrete stereo stream alongside it.

Supported layouts:

  • 1 stream, 2 channels, labeled Stereo or Lt/Rt Downmix (required in all cases)
  • 1 stream, 6 channels, labeled 5.1 -- plus a separate stereo stream
  • 1 stream, 8 channels, labeled 7.1 -- plus a separate stereo stream

Common layout issues and how to fix them

Mono audio -- Your video has a single-channel audio stream. Re-export with a stereo audio track. If your source is mono, duplicate the channel to create a stereo file in your editing software.

Stereo without a Stereo or Downmix label -- Your video has 2 channels in a single stream but the stream is not explicitly labeled. Re-export and set the channel layout to Stereo in your export settings.

Split Stereo -- Your video has 2 separate audio streams each carrying one channel, rather than one stream with 2 channels. Re-export and merge the left and right channels into a single stereo stream.

Split 5.1 Surround -- Your 5.1 surround audio is spread across 6 separate single-channel streams rather than a single stream with 6 channels. Re-export with the 5.1 mix as one stream with 6 channels, and include a separate stereo stream alongside it.

5.1 or 7.1 without a stereo stream -- Surround is supported but a stereo stream must also be present. Re-export and add a separate 2-channel stereo stream.

Multiple streams with no usable stereo -- Your video has multiple audio streams but none is a clearly labeled 2-channel stereo or downmix track. Re-export and ensure one stream is an explicitly labeled stereo mix.

Unlabeled 2-channel audio among multiple streams -- Your video has multiple streams and one carries 2 channels but is not labeled. Re-export and explicitly label the stereo stream as Stereo or Downmix.

Recommended export settings

For ProRes or DNxHD/HR exports, use PCM audio. For H.264 or H.265 exports, use AAC at 320 kbps. Avoid bitrates below 128 kbps with any lossy codec, and where possible export fresh from your original project rather than re-encoding from an already-compressed file.