Quote:
Why? So I can operate on the audio in my DAW.
I don't know this is not possible. I know this is possible.


There's a disconnect that no one except I has addressed. What you showed does not convert video to mp3 because, as I stated correctly, it cannot be done. Telling us that you are doing it doesn't change this.

Try using Real Player to compress the video—per the settings you have checked—and save as a copy. Now go back to the original file but this time, check the box for Export as Audio only.

There are many apps that will compress this file to mp3. You want VBR (variable bit rate) these days. Now strip the audio from that compressed video and substitute your new mp3. See if the result is not more to your liking.

I am not up on the free and cheapware for Windows. A commercial app with telephone support that does everything you need is Adobe Premiere Elements. This link is to the Adobe site and you can download a 30 day evaluation. There are resellers who offer better pricing with or without Photoshop Elements bundle – if you can get EDU pricing, so much the better.

For three years during the pandemic, I averaged 2–5 videos a week for my church clients and every one had the audio processed separately. There are no subscriptions — use the permanent license till it just doesn't do the job anymore then buy the latest version. I used Premiere Elements 2018 till a few months ago when I updated to 2023.

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