Audio Codec Issues with VS 11

metmot · Post by **metmot** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:37 pm

I downloaded the trial version of VS11 and used the movie making wizard to quickly produce a test MPEG2 file creating an image slideshow with music. I make a lot of these as I am an avid photographer and really enjoy the pan and zoom capabilities and making these slide shows.

I used the MPEG 2 format 720x480 and the MPEG optimizer. As far as I can tell this is the same settings I have always used in version 10. The problem is, I am used to sending these large MPEG files to several friends over the net and they have reported to me that the audio codec is unknown and wont play on media player 11. I verified this on two of my computers but on a third one they will in fact play. I took the MPEG file I created in version 11 and dropped it in the time line of version 10 and rendered a new file using what I think are the same settings in 10 and it plays just fine as usual. It may be my imagination but it seems like the finished product from studio 11 is clearer and has better resolution when burnt to a dvd than what I made in version 10.

Codecs still confuse me. Can anyone tell me if version 11 is using different mpeg audio codecs than version 10? Also how can I extract the information from my finished MPEG files to tell me what codecs they are using so I can compare? Media player tries to find an audio codec but cant for these files. I have tried using Roxio Sonic Cine Player and it will play these files on my computer but when I sent the player to a friend he still cant read the codecs even with it. The codecs reside elsewhere than in these players?

Sorry if this seems confusing but the bottom line is I believe I am creating these MPEG files with the same properties as I do in version 10 but the darn things wont play on a lot of computers.

Any help, clarification or solutions will be much appreciated.

I do love the fact version 11 allows me to insert transitions as a batch. When making a 200 slide show clip this saves a lot of time since I use mostly cross fades. Just cant seem to create the same finished product as I am used to in MPEG format.

I have tried to understand these various compression schemes and how to master them but I still find myself scratching my head.

Thanks,

John

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:48 pm

I can understand your frustration. Now, you have told us your problem, but in fact you haven't given us the information needed on which we can base an answer...

It's a bit like someone asking you what kind of car you've got and you reply "A red one"...

Within Video Studio, right click on one of your finished mpeg files, and copy down ALL its Properties here please. That will at least allow us to know exactly what is under the hood and what audio codec was used...

metmot · Post by **metmot** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:04 am

Thanks Ken, Obviously I know I didnt give enough info.

Thats why part of my question was how to find the properties which I have done now.

I can see the difference. The file created in version 11 has almost identical video properties but the audio is using lpcm and will not play. The file re rendered in version 10 uses mpeg layer 2 audio which will play fine.

How do I tell version 11 not to use LPCM? Why wont media player play this as it is my belief it is a common codec?

Does this give enough info to help me?

Thanks,

John

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:12 am

I would have thought that LPCM was a standard format. But, this page doesn't even show MPEG-2 video as a standard Windows codec!

Just change the audio to MPEG layer 2 in your Project Properties.

However if you are also making a DVD, MPEG audio is NOT standard for NTCS DVDs (North America, etc). If you are also making an NTSC DVD, use LPCM or AC3 audio for that version of the project.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 12:16 am

Yes, that is surprising. (L)PCM is the absolute central, rock-solid audio codec for *all* video DVDs. ALL stand-alone DVD players are required to play at least that codec. Mpeg layer 2 audio is really only an auxiliary format for DVDs, and indeed in not part of the international NTSC DVD standard, though most NTSC DVD players these days apparently will play it. So I am very surprised that other people using software players cannot play it on their computers.

That being said, to change it to mpeg layer 2, if you intend this to be done many times, I would go to Tools > Make Movie Manager and make a template which uses all the other properties in your file which you know work, but change the audio compression from LPCM to mpeg layer 2. You give it a name, and thereafter, when you are editing video and producing a final mpeg of it, using Share > Create Video File, and in the dropdown menu which appears, you should now be able to select your new template which will appear down towards the bottom.