Problems with AC-3 Audio with VideoStudio 8

[PARALAX]

Hello!

I've bought Video Studio 8 from Ebay lately and installed the Patch from the Homepage too.

But if I want to import a DVD-R/+R into the editor, recorded with my Pioneer DVD-Recorder, I get no sound at all.

Then I noted that obviously only PCM Audio will be played but my DVD-Recorder only record this mode, if I set the record mode to "Fine" which allows only up to 60Min. on a DVD-R.

Other players like Winamp or Media Player plays the importet file without problems, I also installed the latest K-Lite Codec Pack on my PC.

Is there a special Update or Patch or Plugin for Video Studio 8 for playing AC-3 recorded DVD-R with sound?

Please help me!!!

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums,

VS8 required an expensive plug-in for Dolby, which is no longer available. The current version VS11/11+ does natively support Dolby stereo as well as 5.1 surround. VS8 was also noted as having numerous bugs, one such was an OOS (out of sync) issue.

Secondly installing some Codec Packs can do more harm then good. They can contain codecs that may conflict with each other as well as what you may have on your system. Some of the codecs may be older and overwrite more current codecs that you already have installed. It is recommended to install only specific codecs needed, and that is usually done by the OS or the program/applications you have installed.

Thirdly since you purchased the software from Ebay, is it an unregistered version where you can register it with Ulead? Check your version number (click on the "?" and choose About VideoStudio), does it have the SE at the end? If so then it is a Simple Edition, those are included/bundled free with hardware, generally video cards. You should not have been charged a fee for an SE or VE edition of the program. The seller may have registered it, so you would not be able to do so, without the seller submitting documentation of the transfer to Ulead. If you can not register it, you will not be able to use it to qualify for upgrade prices.

[PARALAX]

Hi!

Sorry, but VS 11 ist too expensive for me. Where can I find that Plugin?

[BrianCee]

VS8 required an expensive plug-in for Dolby, which is no longer available..

which part of "no longer available" do you not understand.


**

[PARALAX]

Maybe it's free in the meantime???

[DVDDoug]

Maybe it's free in the meantime???

It's not available and Dolby always gets paid! (Dolby owns the AC3 patent.)

Sorry, but VS 11 is too expensive for me.

Well... You can get Movie Factory 6 for about $50 USD.

If you want to try eBay again, I believe Movie Factory included Dolby AC3 starting with version 3 or 3.5. Video Studio had it starting with VS9. Check with the seller if doesn't say so in the item description. And again, avoid the SE versions. I don't think any of the "free" SE versions have AC3... Dolby always gets paid!

The newer versions of Video Studio & Movie Factory also have a much-improved DVD Import feature.

Depending on how much editing you want to do, Movie Factory may not be the product for you. (If I remember correctly, the older versions of Movie Factory didn't have as many editing features as the newer versions.)
--Video Studio is a video editor with some DVD authoring capabilities.
--Movie Factory is a DVD authoring program with some video editing capabilities.

One disadvantage to eBay (besides the obvious fact that you are getting an older version) is that you can't get a trial version... You've already been burned once by not finding-out the limitations before buying...

One more reason to try-out the trial version is that the out-of-sync issues mentioned by vidoman have not been completly resolved. The Ulead programs still have trouble with some with MPEGs. (As you may know, DVDs are MPEG-2). I would hate to see you make a 2nd expensive mistake if it turns out that Video Studio has sync problems with DVDs from your particular DVD recorder!

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I know there are some free video editing programs, and I think there's at least one free DVD authoring program. I don't think you can find a free all-in-one program like Video Studio. You might have to use one program to "rip" the DVD, another to edit, another to encode the MPEG-2/AC2, another to author the DVD, and finally another to burn the thing...

There are no ligitimate free AC3 codecs. I've heard of one that's unauthorized (it may have been included in your codec pack) but it may be a decoder only, and not an encoder... I don't know... I think MPEG-2 requires a codec license (royalty) too.

Of course, free software (with no user manual) is usually more difficult to use and it usually doesn't work as well as commercial software.

To get you started, VOB 2 MPG is a free ripping program that can convert your DVD to an MPEG file.

And, here are some links to get you started finding more free software:
AfterDawn.com
VideoHelp.com
Doom9.org
Softpedia.com (Filter for free software.)
Freeware-Guide.com
NoNags.com

Have fun!