Audio Disappears for Video Clip for VS 11 Pro

[d'anconia]

Nature of the problem:
I really don't know why it is but I've just started using Videostudio 11 Pro recently and I've run into a problem.

I want to create a scene wherein I use a video clip with the corresponding audio (it's from an interview) and then play a song in the background.

Sounds simple, right? Apparently not. For some reason the clip's audio works fine when it is in my library but when I pull it down to be part of the timeline for apparently no reason at all the audio for that clip just does not play. I can play the video part but the corresponding audio will absolutely not play. It's like it is muted.

I have even tried splitting the audio from the video but even that doesn't work.

Property of Source File:
*.avi file, 29.97 fps, 343 seconds long, 33.25 kbps data-rate, ffdshow MPEG-4 Video Decoder video compression, 24 bits 320x240. Audio is MPEG Audio Layer2, 22050 Hz, 64kbps, mono.
Basically I used a YouTube downloader to get the video off of the website. Hopefully this isn't a problem because many of the videos I am planning to use are obtained in this way.

What devices are involved and their mode of connection?
Nothing out of the ordinary. No microphones or cameras involved.

Project Settings:
Using Video Studio 11, edit file format- MPEG. More stuff...
NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Lower Field First
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8000 kbps)
LPCM Audio, 48000 Hz, Stereo

Output format (file, DVD, VCD, SVCD):
Haven't really decided on one yet.

PAL or NTSC:
Apparently NTSC

Error Codes (if any):
none

Honestly I tried searching the forums a little bit but it would have taken forever especially considering the search function on this website doesn't do a good job of narrowing things down.

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums,

I'm not sure why your audio is not playing in the timeline, yet plays in the library, excepting that the format you're using is very highly compressed, and is not meant to be edited.

Problems with your Project:

1. Compare the video properties with your project properties.
a. Data Rate of Source= 33.25kps while Project Data Rate= 8000kps
b. Frame Size of Source= 320 x 240; Project Frame Size= 720 x 480
c. Source Audio= MPA, 22050Hz, 64kps,mono; Project Audio=LPCM,4800Hz,Stereo
d. Source Field Order is probably Frame Based; Project Field Order=Lower Field First.
e. Source File Type=AVI (DivX, Xvid?? ), Project File Type=MPEG

In order to have the best possible success rate, you need to match your Project Properties with the Source video file Properties.

The quality of the video probably is not that great to start with. By the time you get done editing, and preparing a video file, don't expect anything more then an video clip that is not worth viewing. The quality will be terrible in my opinion. It will need to be recoded (compressed), and everytime it is re-encoded you take a hit on quality.

A Recommended Workflow has been developed to help guide you through the mine-field of video editing, as it pertains to Ulead's VideoStudio Programs. They can be viewed here:
Recommened WorkFlow for VideoStudio

You might want to read through From Camcorder to DVD tutorial.

To better understand Field Orders, and Frame Based, please read the following article:
Explanation of Field Orders

For a brief summary of AIV and MPEG-2 please read the article at this link:
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic. ... 9130#69130

Those are some links to a lot of information concerning video editing. You should be able to glean most of what you need to learn, so that you will not become frustrated, and be able to produce great masterpieces..

[d'anconia]

Oh I guess I should also note as context that the final product does not have to be high quality, at least not in the fps or resolution sense. Really just going to be used more or less as a YouTube vid.

[d'anconia]

Actually it looks like the audio will play until I have an mp3 or wav audio playing at the same time as the clip. It's like my computer is having problems rendering more than one audio byte at the same time.

That make more sense?

[sjj1805]

Workround:

1. Export your existing audio track as a WAV file.
   You do this from the Share tab.
2. Open the exported audio file in Audacity (FREE audio editor)
3. Add extra audio tracks as required and adjust the volumes of the various tracks (in other words mix them together)
4. Save the new audio file.
5. Import the new file to the VideoStudio Music track
6. Mute the original audio