Can not play AVCHD disks created with X2

[Doctor Keo]

I created over the last few months many AVCHD disks of my home movies using X2, which I am able to play on my computer and my PS3. To improve sound I’ve purchased a LG HB905PA cinema system which plays DVD, AVCHD, Blu-ray etc but will not play any of the AVCHD home movies I’ve created with Videostudio X2. Today I used Cyberlink’s Powerdirector to create a test AVCHD DVD disk which the LG system played without any problem (And played my old DVD home movies I created with X2). Any suggestions on how to solve my problem would be appreciated – Thanks - Doctor Keo.

[Black Lab]

What are the properties of the audio within the files created by VS? What are the properties of the audio within the file created by Power Director?

[Doctor Keo]

Hi, I've been trying a test on X2 with the same video that I used for Powerdirector 11 minutes – setting X2 at 1920 x 1080 and accepting the default setting as below - This disk played. I’ve gone back to the first AVCHD home video (unknown setting) but I recorded 1 hour 20 video to disk. After reading through the VS forum I thought that I was setting the bitrates too low and was downgrading my resulting video disk, so the next disks I upped the setting (from memory around 17000) so that 30 – 40 minutes would fit on a disk – These are the disks that will not play on the LG system –
Powerdirector - AVCHD, 1920 x 1080, Dolby digital, mpeg 4, PAL Video bitrate 15500k audio 256K
VS - AVCHD, 1920 x 1080, VBR max 15000 audio 384

Thanks

[Ken Berry]

Unfortunately, the information you provided about the properties is not really clear. But it seems that perhaps you have created an AVCHD hybrid disc using mp4 audio instead of the standard Dolby two channel or 5 channel stereo -- that is, according the the PowerDirector settings. Unless you LG is rated to play mp4 audio, that could be the reason your disc audio will not play.

And have you checked the LG menu for its audio settings. Usually those have to be tweaked to ensure that audio formats other than the standard (L)PCM, mpeg layer 2, Dolby, or even mp3, can be played.

[Doctor Keo]

Thanks for your help - I've imported one of the mts files I am unable to play on LG system in Powerdirector - There are surprises for me! Type :H.264 AVC Bitrate 9.18mbps Resolution 1440 x 1080, frame rate 25 fps, Aspect ratio 16.9 - Audio Dolby Digital, Sample rate 48 khz, bitrate 48 kbps, channels stereo.

[Ken Berry]

Since you are using X2, there are a couple of options I have used successfully when creating AVCHD hybrid discs.

First, you can render your project into a new AVCHD which has the same properties as you original video by using Share > Create Video File > Same As First Clip. (I personally always make sure SmartRender is NOT used... Too many people have too many problems using it.)

Second, which is my preferred method for these types of discs, is to finish my editing but jump straight to the burning module: Share > Create Disc > AVCHD. Then click on the middle of the three icons down in the bottom left of the burning screen, and un-tick "Do Not Convert Compliant mpeg Files". Then in the bigger window above that, adjust the burning properties to match the original properties you were after... Then build your menu if you want one, then burn!

Personally, though, since I also use a PS3 which I have networked to my computer, I just stream my edited final video clips, whether AVCHD or HDV via the network to the PS3 which is of course connected via HDMI to my HDTV. Or you can transfer the edited completed files to a 'VIDEO' folder on a USB stick or external hard drive (formatted in FAT 32) and connect that to the PS3...