How to get Audio on the LFE Channel

lanceh · Post by **lanceh** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:17 am

Hi, I have just downloaded Video Studio 11 trial. Firstly I was dissapointed there was no help file with it, if there was I might not have to ask this question:
I have created an AC3 file with audio on the LFE channel. When I add this to a clip and play the audio in 5.1 mode I can see the level meter indicate there is audio for the sub woofer (LFE).
Other clips I have used the same process with audio on other channels.
I then incorporate these clips into a project to make a DVD. When I go through the share process under MPEG options I only get the choice of Stereo or 3/2 (L,C,R/LS,RS).
When I burn the disc I get all the audio except LFE (obviously looking at the MPEG options)
So the question is: How to I get Audio on the LFE channel?

Thanks in advance, Lance.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:22 am

What program did you use to create the AC-3 audio? I was under the impression that VS11, like its predecessors going back to VS8 when Dolby was first introduced, does not have Dolby enabled in the trial version. This is because Dolby requires payment of a licence fee for each software package, and software manufacturers are understandably reluctant to pay a fee for trial or free versions.

That being said, you can download the VS11 manual here http://www.ulead.com/vs/documents.htm

lanceh · Post by **lanceh** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:05 am

Thanks for the prompt reply Ken.
I used a tool called AC3 Tools Pro to turn a .wav file into an AC3. This program allows you to allocate a seperate file to each of the 5.1 channels. In this case I put digital silence on al channels excpet the LFE on which I placed a tone. I tried 1kHz and 100Hz. I am sure this bit is working as I can see the LFE on the level meter of the sound mixer.

The Corel web site says: "You will be trying a 30-day, fully functional trial edition of Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus." I would expect this to also include the ability to put audio on the LFE.

When you edit the MPEG settings in the 'make a disc' step and choose customise you get the choice of:
MPEG Audio
LPCM Audio
Dolby Digital Audio

But there is no option for 5.1, only 2 or 3/2

To me this indicates the license is not the issue. It just does not do what the advertising says it will, unless (and I hope this is true) I am doing something worng. If I am I can't work out what it is. As far as I can tell you can't get support from Ulead until you have purchased the product. I don't want to purchase the product unless I know it works. Catch 22!

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
Regards, Lance.

Black Lab · Post by **Black Lab** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:12 am

Digital silence. Is that similar to jumbo shrimp?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:36 am

I am still mystified as to why you can play any Dolby, let alone 5.1, on the trial version. Maybe it is simply because you already have the codec on your computer in AC3 Tools Pro, and any other program can use it since the licence has already been paid. Whatever.

I think you will find that the VS11+ description '3/2' is meant to cover 5.1 audio. Certainly, if you look at Tools > Make Movie Manager, the two default DVD templates are both described as including 5.1, though when you click on the Edit tab, the audio compression is shown as 3/2 -- though no LFE channel is specified there (only L,C, R and SL and SR). So I confess I am not sure what they are on about.

However, when you go to the Audio pane, there is a button to enable 5.1 (just above the ruler in the bottom third of screen, last button on the right.) And when you enable it and play some music, the graphic read-out above the button shows 6 channels, the fourth of which, when you hover the mouse over it, is shown as 'sub-woofer'.

Hopefully some user with greater experience than I in 5.1 might be able to thrown more light on this.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:07 am

Perhaps these links may help:
VideoStudio Video Tutorials!
Ulead Tutorials Channel
VideoStudio Demo & Training Videos

lanceh · Post by **lanceh** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:14 am

Thanks to all for trying help;

Jeff, digital silence is a track with all bits set to 0. (I like your dog.)

Ken, I have loaded VS11 on a PC that to my knowledge does not have any SW for making Dolby sound and the same thing happens.

sjj1805, thanks for links to the videos, very useful.

I can do the audio mixing bit OK. I can adjust the level of all tracks and see them in the level meter including the LFE (sub woofer). Unfortunately I can't hear it as non of my PCs have 5.1 sound themselves. They are al only stereo so I don't think thats the problems as I can get the surround and centre channels onto DVD.

Has anyone managed to get audio on the LFE track with the purchased version?

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:33 am

[quote="lanceh"]..... non of my PCs have 5.1 sound themselves. They are al only stereo so I don't think thats the problems as I can get the surround and centre channels onto DVD.
.....quote]

Double check your sound card / motherboard manual. You may be surprised. Many of these now use the Microphone in and line input sockets to provide output rather than input, for the surround sound channels.
If so, even with a standard pair of speakers you can test the chanells by simply plugging the jack plug into those other 'outputs'