5.1 AC3

sender · Post by **sender** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:43 pm

Using dws 2.0 just for authoring. mpeg and audio encoding with other software. For audio, I found an guide in some other forum about using Goldwave to prepare 6 channels and use Bsweet to prepare 5.1 AC3 file. I have used this method and dws2.0 successfully burn several DVD (video 7552kbps, audio 448kbps). All of them are just around 50-60 minutes. I can hear all 6 channels correctly. All of them has 2 titles, each with 2-3 chapters.

But recently I am working on a disc, again, with 2 titles and with 2/3 chapters each. The only different of this one is its total length is about 70 minutes. But the result is not correct. The first title only plays with 2 front channels, other channels have no sound. The second title works fine with all 6 channels. Check the dws project, all "Convert to template" box are unchecked. Examine the ifo file and find that there are 2 title sets, first one is 2ch AC3, second one is 5ch AC3. Examine the ifo file of previously successful DVD, there is only 1 title set (although it has 2 titles) and it is 5ch AC3.

Find dws 2.231 with a bug fix looks like for this problem. Update dws to this version and try again, but still the same. Use ifoEdit to patch the ifo file to 5ch. The file updated but still cannot play the first title with 5.1 sound. Any idea?

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Thu May 19, 2005 4:05 pm

BeSweet is known to create non-compliant ac-3 audio tracks (although some folks use it without any problems).

Are your two titles using the same attibutes? Is one 4:3 while the other 16:9, or perhaps different resolutions?

If that's the case, then DWS would break them up into separate VTS's.

DVDDoug · Post by **DVDDoug** » Thu May 19, 2005 10:02 pm

Yeah, I've read that the AC3enc encoder used with BeSweet's is not very good. Clearly it's unlicensed. So, maybe the hackers.... ummm I mean developers, don't know all of Dolby's trade secrets.

It could be a problem or limitation with Workshop though. I've never seen anything in Ulead's documentation that even mentions 5.1. I'm pretty sure Workshop can handle pre-multiplexed MPEG-2 file with 5.1 AC3 (i.e. a "ripped" DVD.)

Pinnacle Liquid Edition ($500) has a 5.1 encoder. The press release says that for $9 you can get an add-on for Pinnacle Studio ($100). But, I can't find the add-on at Pinnacle's web site.

Nero has added it too!

Let's hope that Ulead adds 5.1 surround to the next version of Workshop... I probably won't bother upgrading 'till it's included.

BTW sender, I'm a long-time Goldwave user. I'm hoping that GoldWave will be 5.1 compatible at some point. (Multiple wave files are probably not the best solution.)

sender · Post by **sender** » Fri May 20, 2005 7:13 am

GeorgeW,

The 2 titles are of the same attributes and encoded in the same way. I did this for more than 20 discs and all have 5.1ch played fine. Only the 21st disc has this problem, 2 VTS instead of 1.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Fri May 20, 2005 12:30 pm

just for troubleshooting, create a new test project, and only use the one title that is showing up as 2-channel ac3. See what happens when you burn that to the dvd folders on your hard drive...

sender · Post by **sender** » Sun May 22, 2005 1:51 am

GeorgeW,

I've tried your suggestion, use the first title only. AFter burn, it is still 2ch.

I've also tried many other combination and with a third title as well. Here are the result. V for video, A for audio, 1 means my (originally) first title, 2 the originally second title and 3 the third one I added for testing.

V1A1 + V2A2 --> 2ch + 5ch (my original post)
V2A2 + V1A1 --> 5ch + 2ch
V2A2 + V1A2 --> 5ch + 2ch
V2A2 + V2A2 --> 5ch (only has 1 title set)
V2A2 + V2A1 --> 5ch + 2ch
V2A2 + V3A3 --> 5ch + 2ch
V3A3 + V2A2 --> 2ch + 5ch
V1A1 only --> 2ch
V2A2 only --> 5ch
V2A1 only --> 2ch
V1A1 only --> 2ch

Couldn't see any pattern from the test result. Any further suggestions are most welcomed.

luisdph1 · Post by **luisdph1** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:46 am

Let's hope that Ulead adds 5.1 surround to the next version of Workshop.....

DVD WS2 can create 5.1 ac3 files but this option must be enabled from the advanced options (look for the advanced button info) at the audio settings the type of ac3 by default is 2/0 (L/R) 256 kbps and can be changed to 3/2(L,C,R,SL,SR) with 640 kbps as maximum by editing one preset.

Try to "convert to template" the audio in Video 1 and check what happends, I hope this info can be helpful.

sender · Post by **sender** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:42 am

luisdph1,

Thanks for the advise. I've tried this before. I am able to locate the option for 3/2 and can select it. But after clicking OK, dws didn't effect the change and still remains as 2/0. Is your dws behave the same?

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:21 am

The inbuilt encoder will handle 2/0 only as the Dolby licence fee for surround sound was too expensive at the time of developing the software. However, surround sound already correctly encoded into MPEG-2 will "pass through" if the file is compliant.

sender · Post by **sender** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 1:32 am

Devil,

I fully understand what you are saying in the past and present regarding the encoder licence and compliance issue. I am no expert on this subject, so I have to take your word for it. However, I would appreciate if you can re-read what I am saying about my problem.

I am not talking about encoding or compliance. I am talking about switching to 3/2 from 2/0 in the template manager. Just the setting itself, not using the setting for encoding.

As I've mentioned before, my problem is: I am able to choose the 3/2 option, but after clicking OK, dws didn't save the setting for me. So when I retrieve the template again it remains as 2/0. If you are responsible for this forum, please address my problem directly and don't give me more of this licence and compliance. If not, thank you for your help and spend your time for more important biz.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:32 am

If you wish to be rude, I can retaliate in trumps.