no sound after capture from dvd using Ulead videostudio 9

[Ron Huggard]

After importing a dvd into the capture, using ulead video studio 9, there is no sound with the picture. All else seems ok. Other forms of capture such as from camera is ok but not the dvd. Any ideas on this, Ron

[Ken Berry]

If your version of VS9 has the letters SE after it, and if the DVD is using Dolby audio, that is the reason. VS9SE comes free bundled with hardware, usually. Dolby requires a licensing fee every time its codec is included with software. Can you think of a manufacturer who would pay a licensing fee and then give away the software free?

[Ron Huggard]

I purchased the hardware and the company made the money from the sale of that product. I realize a price would have to be paid for the rights to use but there is no hint of this when buying the product. Why cripple a product and not let the buyer know or at the very least, put the price up on the product to allow it to work. I would have purchased another product.
Be that as it may, now how do I go about getting the rights for the Dolby usage? Is it done through Ulead or a download through them?
Best regards, Ron

[Black Lab]

You get the rights to use Dolby when you purchase a full version of VS. Since you have and SE version I believe you are entitled to the upgrade price.

See their upgrade policy

[Ken Berry]

Ron -- you bought hardware made by Company X. They bundle it with Video Studio which is made by InterVideo/Ulead. Company X wants to give their hardware some immediate functionality; and InterVideo/Ulead want to advertise their product. But since InterVideo/Ulead don't get any money in this immediate deal, they don't pay the Dolby license fee. As Black Lab has already said, you get the Dolby when you upgrade to the full version.

That being said, there is a free Dolby filter at http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=AC3_Filter That will at least allow you to import the Dolby audio. But note: it will not allow you to edit the file and then output it again using Dolby audio. You will instead have to select either LPCM (large files) or mpeg layer 2 audio (similar quality and size to Dolby, but not part of the NTSC DVD standard -- even though most stand-alone NTSC DVD players will apparently play it.)