dolby digital

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:36 pm

I downloaded the VS 9 trial and was very happy with the program. I purchased the program however it is VideoStudio 9 se. It is not allowing me to import a dvd with dolby digital. Is there a plugin that I can download.

GuyL · Post by **GuyL** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:55 pm

Where did you purchase the program that you got an SE version? My understanding is they only come bundled with hardware.

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:04 pm

I made the mistake of buying it on ebay. Now I guess I know what the se stands for. Is there any way to get a plugin.

GuyL · Post by **GuyL** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:21 pm

I only see one for VS8 on the website. I believe you have to updgrade to the full editon of VS9 to get it.

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:29 pm

I don't know of any Dolby Digital plugin for VS9. VS9 comes with DD support as standard, hence, I wouldn't hold my breath for a plug in.

If the SE version does not support DD, I'm afraid, you have been had, sorry.

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:37 am

The upgrade is half price ($50). So, if you paid less than $50 for SE, you're still ahead of the game!

If you live in North America (NTSC video), it's probably worth it to get the Dolby. Dolby uses-up 1/4 to 1/3 as much disc space as LPCM. This means you can have higher-quality (less compressed) video, or more playing time on your DVD. (MPEG audio is included in the PAL standard, but not the NTSC standard.)

Note that Video Studio only has 2-channel Dolby AC3. The only Ulead product with a 5.1 channel Dolby surround encoder is Media Studio Pro.

Just for reference.. Video Studio 8 required a $30 AC3 plug-in. (No longer available, AFAIK.)

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:23 am

I actually did pay less than $40 for the se so I won't be out anything if I upgrade. Thanks for the advise there DVDDoug. I am probably better off having the cd mailed to me instead of downloaded correct? Download time is not an issue however I believe I read in this forum that the actual cd has less issues. Input would be appreciated and previous help was as well.

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:05 am

Yeah, I kind-of like having the actual CD.

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:55 am

Depending on where you are located, that may be a good option. However, I'm in Australia and only had a physical CD mailed to me once, it cost me another A$ 50.- for the importation

Since then I have, as a rule, only bought the downloads and, apart from the not so smart "Smart Download" issue (easy enough to get around), never had an issue with any of them.

The only percieved shortcoming is the lack of a printed manual with the downloads. Considering the quality of the manuals supplied, not a big loss in my opinion

and the help one can get here outperforms any manual by far

and the pdf manual is easy enough to download also.

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:17 am

Ok thanks for the very great help.

Ilene · Post by **Ilene** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:57 am

Just a quick question. I make short movies on dvd's using VS9. My video's are usually just 10-15 mins sometimes 20-30 mins, but rarely anything longer. Therefore I also burn everything at the highest quality /highest bit rate ( 8000)...My audio comes from cd's, so they are wav files. If I have the choice, which audio format will sound the clearest. I always choose LPCM, HQ...is there a big difference in the sound of the Dolby. I haven't tried it, but it appears as the default option in VS9.

thanks, Ilene

PS...I'm in North America, so I use NTSC

and in case it's important I render everything as
mpeg2
lower field first
720x480
variable bit rate 8000kbs'

Post by **Ron P.** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:09 am

Hi Ilene,

Since you are using small video files, then LPCM should work fine. Dolby Digital or AC3 is just a good audio compression, that reduces the audio file size, maintaining the quality, so that you can get more video, higher quality video on your disc.

Ron P.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:59 am

The only thing I would advise when using LPCM audio is to lower your video bitrate. The reason is that some dvd players have a hard time playing home made stuff with bitrates that go up to the max dvd spec (9800kbps -- or 10080kbps including subtitles...).

Since you are using Variable bitrate at 8000kbps, there is a potential for some bitrate spikes above your specified max. This means that in the spike areas, you might see video bitrates up to 8500kbps (or higher). Now, add in your LPCM audio bitrate of 1536kbps, and you've got a recipe for playback stutter (as the dvd player chokes on the high bitrate).

I would recommend Dolby Digital audio with a video bitrate between 6000 and 7000kbps -- this should give you a dvd that will be playable on a broader range of dvd players.

Regards,
George

Ilene · Post by **Ilene** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:53 pm

Interesting...I guess I should try the Dolby. I don't have sound issues with the LPCM...although sometimes songs sound "tinny"...they definitely don't stutter but this is not consistent between players, so you might have a point as to how some players react to the sound!

Now here's a question...when it comes to sound, do the project properties have to match the all the way through the process. For instance, when I start a new project, I set all the properties per the advice on the "Sticky" on this website...then after the project is complete and I go to Share/Create Video file, I choose the option "same as project settings"...then when I go to Share/Create Disk, I usually match all the settings I have been using thus far. What if I switched to Dolby at this point...would it cause a problem? Or am I just better off choosing Dolby throughout?

Ilene

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