Audio quality ranking algorithm

[JeffDavis]

What is the algorithm that StreamFab uses for ranking the quality of available audio streams? I downloaded an episode, and StreamFab displayed a popup message that the audio stream it downloaded did not match my selection. Not a big deal. I assume my selection was not available for that episode so it had to download an alternative. But I'm puzzled that StreamFab seems to rank EAC3 5.1 192 kbps as higher quality than EAC3 2.0 224 kbps. The latter has the same codec, but a higher bit rate, and the bits are spread over fewer channels. If the algorithm assigns higher quality to the stream with more channels even when it has a lower bit rate, then it's a bad algorithm. If the codecs are different (EAC3 or AAC) or a 5.1 stream has a higher bit rate than a stereo or mono stream, the quality ranking will be dependent on personal preferences. E.g., my preferred audio stream is AAC 2.0 192 kbps, as I have no use for 5.1 audio. But, if the choice is between an EAC3 5.1 640 kbps stream and an AAC 2.0 128 kbps stream, I would prefer to download the higher bit rate EAC3 5.1 stream, and convert it later with FFMPEG to an AAC 2.0 192 kbps stream.

Audio Settings (English): EAC3 2.0 224 kbps Downloaded (English): EAC3 5.1 192 kbps Higher Quality ??

[Cats4U]

I would prefer to download the higher bit rate EAC3 5.1 stream, and convert it later with FFMPEG to an AAC 2.0 192 kbps stream.

This is the part I don't get, why should you have to convert it later? You asked for AAC 2.0 192 kbps, it should give you AAC 2.0 192 kbps. FFMPEG is part of StreamFab (although they still use an old version). Let them do the converting and give you what you asked for. It'll add 3 seconds to the processing. Too often the program overrules your preference simply because the developer thinks he knows better than you what you want. Rubbish! If what I want isn't directly available from the streamer, convert it to what I want. Start using some imagination, Developer, instead of sending up popups saying it can't be done.