VS9 no sound in playback of clips - still confused

alanamsa · Post by **alanamsa** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:59 pm

I thought this would be easier than it is...I've searched previous posts but reading them makes me more confused than I already am...

I am a novice movie editor/maker (I usually use the Windows Movie Editor for home movies). For work, I've volunteered (because I thought it would be easy) to upload video, trim it and burn to a CD or DVD to use later for a Power Point presentation. The video footage comes from a DVD video camera (Sony I think).

I have uploaded the video from the mini DVD-R no problem, trimmed it, but when I try to playback the clips, there is no sound. I don't want to burn it to CD/DVD until I'm sure that it will record with the audio. I read through previous posts, but I don't understand anything about compression, codec, etc...

What do I need to do? Do I need to purchase a DVD Ripper? And would it be easier for me to save the files to CD-R as opposed to DVD-R or doesn't it matter?

Thanks in advance for any tips, advice, or solutions...

Alana

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:42 pm

Your problem is almost undoubtedly due to the fact that the mini DVD you imported from uses Dolby AC-3 audio (which is what those Sony cameras use). And pretty clearly your version of VS9 does not come with the Dolby audio codec.

Does your VS9 by any chance have the letters SE after it? If so, it is a 'Special Edition' which are weasel words for saying it has been crippled and has been distributed free, usually bundled with a piece of hardware. Since Ulead has to pay a licence fee to Dolby each time its codec is included, they are not going to do that for a program which is being given away free. In other words, the non-inclusion of Dolby is one of the ways in which the program has been crippled.

I seem to recall the full version of VS9 was the first to actually include the Dolby codec as part of the general install. Otherwise it was available to registered users as a free upgrade. However, I doubt that the free module is still available. Certainly, the full Dolby codec (including 5.1 channel) was included as part of VS 10 and 11.

If you go to videohelp.com and do a search for 'AC-3 filter', there is a plug-in which will at least allow you to import the AC-3 audio from the mini DVDs. But once imported, they cannot be re-exported in Dolby format. You have to use either LPCM or mpeg layer 2 audio.

alanamsa · Post by **alanamsa** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:15 pm

Thanks so much for your prompt (and totally understandable!) answer!

I, unfortunately, am the not so proud owner of a 'crippled' SE version of VS9 that I got with my video camera (a Samsung, not Sony!). Would it be beneficial for me to upgrade to VS11 - would that fix the problem? My employer would most likely cover the cost.

Thanks again.

Alana

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:34 pm

It certainly would. However, if you can curb your impatience until Tuesday next week (6 November) a major update of VS11, which is to be called VS11.5, is to be released then. There have been significant problems with VS 11 (though not with the Dolby in it!

) and these will hopefully all be cleared up with this new version...

However, the upgrade to it will be free to registered users of VS11/11+. So you could buy the latter and then get the free upgrade to VS11.5 later.

And make sure you get the Plus version -- many more bells and whistles, especially if the boss is paying!!!

alanamsa · Post by **alanamsa** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 3:32 am

Just wanted to say thank you - I upgraded to 11+ and everything worked! I just have the technicalities to figure out (and there are alot of them!)

Thanks again,
Alana