no audio on DVD

[crestelli]

I am editing a dance recital. I have imported mpeg 2 files. I have audio on files, in preview, but no audio on final DVD. Here are the file settings:
MPEG-2 Video
24 bits, 720x480, 4:3
Frame rate: 29.970 frames/sec
Date rate: variable bit rate (max. 9256 kbps)
MPEG Audio Layer 2 files
Total samles: 4,936,136 Samples
Attributes: 48000 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo
Layer: 2
Bit rate: 224 kbps

Here are my settings to burn to DVD:
MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-NTSC), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8264 kbps)
LPCM Audio, 48000 Hz, Stereo

I have also tried changing to MPEG audio, stereo, 48000 Hz, 224 kbps, but no audio is coming on DVD.
Any ideas? Sorry if I'm doing something wrong that's very basic. I'm new at this.

[DVDDoug]

I don't know why that's not working... But, it's usually a decoding (from} issue with the original/input file, rather than an encoding (to/output) issue. Normally Movie Factory can convert from Mpeg-2 with MPEG-2 audio to MPEG-2 with LPCM (or Dolby AC3). But sometimes screwy things can happen... Sometimes there's a "glitch" in your original file and it will play OK, but be difficult to edit or convert. Or, maybe there's just something about the file that Movie Factory doesn't "like", for some unknown reason.

FYI - MPEG audio on the DVD is not a good idea... NTSC (USA) DVD players are not required to play MPEG audio, but they are required to play LPCM and AC3. Some NTSC players can play MPEG audio, but I've never seen it on a commercial DVD.

A couple of things you an try -
Try a lower video bitrate (maybe 7000kbps) and/or try Dolby audio. At 8264kbps plus 1536kbps for LPCM audio, you are still "legal" but you are getting close to the DVD limit (10,080kbps). Changing the bitrate probably won't help, but it's easier than what I'm going to suggest next...

Try using SUPER (FREE!!!) to convert your file to the same "output" DVD settings you are currently using (except with AC3 audio), before inporting the file(s) into Movie Factory. (I don't think SUPER will create an MPEG-2 file with LPCM). And, maybe try a video bitrate around 7000kbps (SUPER might be setting the average bitrate rather than the maximum).

Or you can try converting to AVI/DV with SUPER (choose "WAV" audio at 48khz, 16-bit). DV is less compressed than MPEG, and it's generally the most foolproof format. Movie Factory will (hopefully) convert it back to DVD-compatible MPEG-2.

If you download SUPER, make you are downloading SUPERsetup.exe. They sort-of hide the download link and there are confusing advertisments for other software on their website.

[Ken Berry]

I am also intrigued as to why you are using Frame Based in your output settings... That would normally only be used for a slideshow (or high definition progressive video)... What was the original Field Order: Upper or Lower Field First?

[crestelli]

Thanks DVDdoug - I'll give it a try and follow up.
Ken, It's bottom field first. I was using the standard settings out of Avid into Sorenson and out of Sorenson as a mpeg 2 file. I did increase the kbps from 7000 hoping for a crisper picture, but I'll decrease it back down and see if that work. Please let me know if there are other changes to the settings out of avid or out of sorenson or in DVD authoring software you suggest. I know just enough to get myself in trouble.
Thanks!

[Ken Berry]

What is the original source of the video? Did you capture it with Avid? If so, was it captured as DV/AVI (as the Lower Field First suggests)?

[crestelli]

It was captured with Avid - as DV

[Crees]

I used to have such problem at the beginning, too. It was found out by a specialist that I consulted that the problem was in some settings. I got them fixed and now it works, but I don't exactly know what was wrong with them.