'normalize audio' not available.

[chapan]

When I create a DVD from the project, the 'normalize audio' option in grayed out and cannot be selected. If I choose AVCHD, Blue-Ray, or BD-J the option is available. I only have the problem with this one project, all the other work ok I installed Video Studio on a new computer and copied the project to the new computer, and had the same problem so it must the tied to the project. I opened a log with Corel tech support but with no results. Version is X5 Ultimate, build 15.1.0.34.

[Ken Berry]

What is in the project in terms of video and audio? Can you right click on a clip -- or clips if there are different formats -- in the timeline or library window, and copy ALL the Properties here please.

[chapan]

I was not sure how to copy the properties info into the post so I uploaded a screen dump of the properties. In order to isolate the problem I deleted everything out of the project except a single video clip and still have the problem.

[chapan]

Sorry I replied twice but did not realize each post had to be approved.

[Ken Berry]

Where did you upload the screen dump to? To upload an image here, look at the image below...

[chapan]

Sorry, I did not notice it did not allow an rtf file, so I compressed it.

Other oddities. I made a copy of the VSP file and deleted everything so it was completely blank. Then I added a random video file, and the 'normalize audio' option was still unavailable. It looks like something in the VSP file is blocking that option no matter how much I edit it.

[Ken Berry]

Where did the video come from originally? I note that it is Lower Field First, where these days, most mpeg-2 is Upper Field First unless it has been converted from original DV/AVI video... But that should not be causing the problem you are having.

I have also just set up a quick DVD project, and have the option to normalise audio -- not that I ever use it. So I can't replicate your problem. Is the project too long to start over again? Have you tried simply saving it with another project name and see if that improves things.

Also, instead of jumping straight into the burn module once you have finished editing, first convert the project to a DVD-compatible mpeg-2 (Share > Create Video File > DVD). But if all the video is indeed Lower Field First, you might have to use Custom as the output and adjust the Field Order there.

[chapan]

I will try your suggestions tomorrow. I really don't want to redo the project; it is pretty big. If I can't get it to work I will just not use that option, but I would be curious to know why it is not working. I have no idea what the upper or lower field stuff means. Maybe I will look it up for my own information.

[Ken Berry]

Without going too much into the technicalities, Field Order is related to interleaved video, which yours is. Roughly it means that a video image is broadcast in two parts, or in sets of alternating lines. So if it is Upper Field First, lines 1, 3, 5 etc are broadcast first, followed a microsecond later by lines 2, 4, 6 and so on. It all happens so fast that the human eye sees it as one image. If it is Lower Field First, then lines 2, 4, 6 etc are broadcast, followed by lines 1, 3, 5 and so on.

But if, say, your original video is Lower Field First, and you render it using Upper Field First, then the resulting video will not be quite right. It may appear a little jerky, and straight lines will look jagged. That is why you need to get this right.

[lata]

Hi

Like Ken I have run a few tests and have no problems in selecting "Normalise Audio" but have to say that I have never used this option.

I do not know what effect the Normalise Audio has on the files I am using.
I do know that it will force the files to be rendered using the properties in the Project Settings Cogwheel.
So if you do click Normalise Audio then check the Cogwheels properties, are they what you require? I guess i am thinking of your Field Order????
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There are two distinctive approaches to burning the DVD, From the project itself which contains many clips.
Or rendering the project to a single video file (mpeg2), the option I use.

So what exactly does Normalise Audio do?

[teknisyan]

You can visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_normalization for info on what Normalise Audio do?

[lata]

Hi Abiel

I understand the concept of audio normalisation, but which files does it affect within the burner module.
Ok
I can add a VSP to the burner module, although the content is fragmented containing many clips it is represented by a single file. does Normalisation affect the VSP's content. I would doubt that very much as this would be affecting your edits?
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I can add an Mpeg compliant file, this is a single file, what affect does Normalisation have, or do I have to add more than one file for it to compare audio levels.
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If I have to add more than one file, why is normalisation available when only one file is added.?
I assumed maybe wrongly that "chapan" has added only one file, so how would Normalisation be benificial?
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Menu Templates
If you have more than one menu page you can i assume set different audio levels, Does normalisation affect the menu templates audio levels?

[aljimenez]

Actually, normalization is most beneficial with several files having different levels of audio. I use this when creating a DVD full of music files to make the levels of each the same; there are lots of programs that do this. I have never used it in the context of video, but I can see how this is useful, especially if one can specify the level of audio desired... Al

[chapan]

I just thought "normalize audio" would just adjust the sound level of the varios video clips so they would be about at the same level. I just can't figure out why this option is not available for this project, even if I delete every single clip, add two random clips, and choose to create a DVD. Probably something in the project got messed up, but there are so many different options to choose I am not sure which one might have done it.

[lata]

Hi chapan

Can you render your project to a new video file, then use that to burn the DVD.

With your project open in the timeline, Share Create Video File --DVD--DVD Video

This will create a compliant video file.
----------------------------
To burn this file to disc..........
Start a new project--nothing in the timeline
Share Create Disc--DVD
from the first window Add Media--Add Video File using the file created above.

Continue to create the menu.
Does the Normalise Audio show as being available?