Can't hear audio (mpg) VideoStudio 9

[telstar]

Hello and thanks for looking,

I'll start out by saying that I'm a newbie and apologize for any ignorance that I may show. I have been stuffing my brain full of video topics so I may come up to speed quickly. All the different formats are quite confusing, but I'll get there.

A am using VideoStudio 9 LE. I plan to update it when I become more profficient with it. The software is running well; HP (XP) 1Ghz, 1G memory.

Now onto more important issues.

I am able to bring a mpg file (with video & audio) into VideoStudio for editing and play it within VS9, but my PROBLEM IS that I can not hear any of the audio.

I am able to play the file in Windows Media Player with no problems. My sound card has the volume turned up. Also, VideoStudio's volume is turned up.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

I'll be glad to offer more details of my system if needed to troubleshoot the problem.

Thanks for your insights.

Regards.......

[Ken Berry]

It depends on the audio's format... Now is that really VS9 LE or is it SE?

Either way it indicates it is either a limited or special edition. And that means that it has been crippled for distribution free when bundled (usually) with hardware.

And I am afraid that one of the things crippled is its ability to handle Dolby audio. Dolby requires a licence fee for each use of its codec, and no software manufacturer is going to pay a fee for something which is then distributed free.

So if the audio you are importing comes from a commercial DVD or a mini DVD camera or something else which uses Dolby AC-3 audio, this is most likely to be your problem.

The only options are to either upgrade to a full version of VS (VS11 has just been released and you can get the upgrade price of US$59.95 using your version of VS9); or you can do a Google search for an AC-3 filter. There is one on videohelp.com which is not overly simple to use and people in your situation have given mixed reports about its effectiveness.

Be aware, though, that it will only allow you to import the Dolby audio, but will not output your final product in that format. You must change it within VS to either LPCM or a more compressed format similar in size to AC-3, namely mpeg layer 2 audio.

[telstar]

Ken,

Thank you very much for the quick reply. I see that you area very active in the forum which is very commendable and a great help to the novice.

I stand corrected, VS9 is "SE".

I'm guessing you are correct regarding Dolby; project is to consolidate highlights of several corporate DVD's into one DVD.

Yes, the upgrade price of VS11 is very reasonable.

Be aware, though, that it will only allow you to import the Dolby audio, but will not output your final product in that format. You must change it within VS to either LPCM or a more compressed format similar in size to AC-3, namely mpeg layer 2 audio.

I did a Wikipedia on the 2-audio formats you mentioned above; all 2-channel and not directly compatible with Dolby. Are you aware of any commercial video editing products that can handle Dolby (I hope reasonably priced.)?

I will do a Google on AC3 codecs as you suggest, if not to use, but at least become familiar with the topic.

Thanks again. You've given me some leads to chase down.

Best regards..............

[Black Lab]

Are you aware of any commercial video editing products that can handle Dolby (I hope reasonably priced.)?

As Ken stated, the full version of VideoStudio (currently v11) can handle Dolby, and it's reasonably priced ($59.95).

[Ken Berry]

And just a footnote on LPCM and mpeg layer 2. I am not quite sure what you mean when you say they are not directly compatible with Dolby. That is in any case largely irrelevant.

What *is* relevant is that they are used regularly on DVDs. LPCM is in fact the rock standard audio format for video DVDs in both PAL and NTSC systems. It is very high quality but unfortunately produces large files, so if your main objective is to fit a lot of video on a DVD, using LPCM audio will reduce the space available for video.

Mpeg layer 2 is part of the PAL DVD standard, though will normally play in most NTSC players as well. It is also very good quality, and highly compressed, so it produces files around the same size as Dolby 2 channel stereo.

Dolby is part of both PAL and NTSC standards.

And all three are available in VS 10 and 11. LPCM and mpeg layer 2 are also available in all versions of VS.