Unable to access audio codec (AVI AC-3)

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:57 am

When trying to make an avi file I choose AC-3 ACM and I am getting a message "unable to access audio codec driver".

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:03 am

What version of Vs are you using? If it is an SE or trial version, you cannot access the Dolby codec for licensing reasons. Corel has to pay Dolby a licence fee for every time its codec is used. They are not going to pay money for versions of VS given away free (as SE versions are) or trial versions (which are also in that sense free).

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:17 pm

Sorry I forgot to put in my post that I am using VSx2 (upgrade) which I downloaded from Ulead(corel).

Post by **Ken Berry** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:29 pm

You would have received three links for dowloads of the upgrade package. Have you downloaded and installed the Extra Content package?

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:08 am

Yes I even downloaded the update patch. I was having the same problem in VS10 so I upgraded to X2 to my disappointment it didn't change anything. One thing I did notice. After I made this post I went back in and tried one of the top settings instead of 5.1 audio and it did accept that option it just seems to give me the error when trying to use 5.1 audio. I guess maybe this is my ignorance but why not just use dolby instead of AC-3 aren't they the same? I am very new to avi.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:24 am

Yes Dolby is also called AC-3. But there are two types: twin channel stereo, 6 channel 5.1...

Now is your version just plain X2, or is it X2 Pro? The former may not have 5.1 as it probably falls into the Pro category...

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:07 pm

I have VX2 Pro. I had klm codec installed, uninstalled it then uninstalled VX2 reinstalled VX2 (with additional content) and updated VX2. Now AC3 does not show up so I am guessing AC3 does not come with VX2. If I am understanding correctly VX2 will pull in a plugin so what AC3 codec should I install or is something else going on?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:03 pm

Sorry, but it comes as a licensed part of X2, as it has done since it was first introduced in VS 8 as an optional (and expensive -- US$30) plug-in...

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:03 pm

So are you saying that ac-3 should show up without me adding a codec? It was there when I had klm installed now it is gone.

Post by **Ken Berry** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:47 pm

I am afraid I have never heard of the klm codec so I have no idea what it does or is meant for. Sometimes, though, adding outside codecs can conflict with existing ones, and it could be that removing the klm one has somehow or other caused the AC-3 one to stop working. Have you tried reinstalling VS? That could reinstall a working version of Dolby...

Post by **Ron P.** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:21 am

Ken, I think he's referring to KLite Mega Codec.. KLM..AND if that's the case I would uninstall it. I would guess that's what messed up your VS, so that you can not access the AC3 codec...

You need codecs, however do not need codec packs.

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:52 am

Yes (Ken) that is correct. I did uninstall the K-Lite Mega Pack then reinstalled the VSX2 now the AC-3 is not available do I need to download a specific AC-3 codec or a video codec or should the AC-3 just be there from VSX2?

Post by **Ken Berry** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:22 am

As I said above, it comes as a licensed plug-in with X2 and previous versions of Video Studio. So it should have installed as part of the X2 package.

Post by **Ron P.** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 3:03 am

When you uninstalled VS did you just use the Control Panel's Add/Remove programs? If so you may have to do more house cleaning. The codec pack may have placed codecs in a common folder that VS uses, and doesn't always remove when uninstalling.

Do you have other Corel/Ulead NLE or DVD programs and/or versions installed? If so have you tried one of them to see if the AC-3 codec is there?

Before doing any "house cleaning" try looking in the following folder, C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\MPEG for a file called uvAC3Enc.dll. I think this should be the AC-3 codec for VS. When uninstalling various Corel/"Ulead" programs, like VS, this Ulead folder does not always get removed. So when you reinstall, most of the time the files are not replaced.

So you can try deleting or renaming the MPEG folder, then reinstall VS. This will force it to replace that folder. If that does not work try doing a complete un-install/re-install. Instructions can be found here : Re-installation of Ulead Products

bdbssb · Post by **bdbssb** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:16 pm

I did locate the uvAC3Enc.dll in the folder vidoman suggested. I went ahead and did a total house cleaning (following the link) anyway and reinstalled VSX2 pro the extra content, bonus, and the X2 update. Still no luck with the AC-3 when trying to make an avi file it is not even an option in the audio pull down which was there when KLite Mega Codec was installed. For your info I am able to access dolby digital when making an mpeg file which has never been a problem.