Digital 5.1 create sound file issues - vs pro x4

[renx]

Hi, I am working with m2ts files with dd5.1 (ac3). I want to share the audio file only. I have 2 options to preserve the 5.1 sound. Option 1 is pcm 5.1 (wav) or Option 2, ac3 5.1 (ac3).

When saving as a pcm file, receive a "file read" error. I'm assuming this is due to the file size as the length is 1.5hrs. When attempting to save as ac3 5.1, I receive a "unable to access audio codec driver" error. I installed the ac3 acm codec from frecodecs.com to no avail.

I've searched the vs forums for an answer and am unable to locate a thread specifying this issue. Your assistance is much appreciated.

Paul

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Paul

I have duplicated your error by creating a “Wav 5.1 pcm” of 100 minutes of video.
Share Create Sound File-Options
The convert process seemed to work ok but failed at the end, giving an error, the file was created but was massive at over 3 Gb, I was unable to open this file in X4.
Tried again with a 36 minute project and created the audio file ok but again at 1 Gb is very large

It does appear that the convert error issue is due to a file size then try converting a short version to see if that works.
Using the “project range” will allow you to select a section.

I have not and do not install any codec packs other than what comes with the programs I use and the windows OS I have installed. By the way…can you update your profile to include your pc specs’

Paul, why do you need to create the separate 5.1 audio file?????????

[DVDDoug]

Try Pazera Free Audio Extractor or SUPER (both FREE!!!).

There is a size limit for WAV files of either 2GB or 4GB, depending on which spec you believe (or what software you are using).* This means you can't have a "movie length" 5.1channel WAV file. I believe with most AC3 encoders, you normally feed-in 6 separate WAV files.

I don't know why you can't create an AC3 file with Video Studio (I've never tried it).



* The size limit is due to a 32-bit "file-size" field in the WAV file header. With 32 bits, you can "count" to ~4GB, or from -2GB to +2GB with signed integers. Most audio/video formats don't have this kind of limitation. And most formats are compressed, so they are smaller anyway.

[teknisyan]

Can you try right-clicking on the video on the timeline then split-audio then delete the video on the video track leaving the audio on the audio.voice track. From there you can go to share > Create SOUND FILE, then select microsoft wav.

See if that works for you.

[Black Lab]

Just to clarify, you do not have to split the audio in order to create a sound file.

[renx]

Hi all, thanks for the helpful feedback. Basically, what I am doing is creating a full length 1.5hr HD feature with 3 audio tracks. Each track maintains its original 5.1 audio. Subsequent tracks mix music and narrative over the native audio. Those 3 tracks are then muxed and compiled to DVD. I believe that the m2ts audio file is only 5 tracks without the ".1" The original mts file is ac3 5.1.

For the sake of preserving video quality, I want to use either an m2ts h264 encode or mp4 h264 encode. Other formats (avi, mpg etc,) just don't provide the picture quality. Hence, not only do I need dd 5.1, but, I need to convert to aac in order to mux all 3 tracks to the video. An option to save audio in 6ch aac (the new audio standard for video files), would be a huuuuuge plus.

I'm a little disappointed that VS doesn't really support 5.1 audio. From what I can tell, a video file can only be created with 5.1 with one method, avi encode with pcm 5.1. m2ts can only be made using 5ch encode (I could be wrong about this). Both methods have to be set up using the custom option. VS Pro only provides 2 methods to create an audio file with 5.1, ac3 and pcm and the ac3 5.1 codec isn't available (unless there is a way to add it). Yet, the software has all of these cool little surround tools to mix 5.1, just no way to effectively export it.

My workaround is tedious, takes a long time, but, gets the job done.

1. create mp4 (or m2ts) video file with VS Pro (video only)
2. break audio files into 30 min segments and save audio using pcm 5.1 (wav)
3. mix audio files together using audacity
4. create a 6 ch m4a audio file with audacity (requires ffmpg)
5. demux aac from m4a using mp4box
6. mux audio and video together using mp4box or mp4muxer
7. enjoy the splendors of 5.1 surround!

I put together a clip to see what I do and what I'm talking about http://www.vimeo.com/25803397 more stuff at http://www.cyclingvideosonline.com

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

I am a little confused, I think that may be me, and I don’t use HD anyway, maybe soon.

But I thought you could render your projects/video files using digital Dolby 5 channel.

Options…..
If your original video uses ac3 5.1 then using share create Video File—Same as First Clip should use your videos properties.
OR
Make Movie Templates Manager can create a template using m2ts h264 and digital Dolby
Like sample, or have I just gotten the wrong end of the stick again?????????????

MPEG Transport-Stream Files
24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(HDMV-PAL), 16:9
H.264 Video
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 18000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 3/2(L,C,R,SL,SR)

[renx]

Hi

I am a little confused, I think that may be me, and I don’t use HD anyway, maybe soon.

But I thought you could render your projects/video files using digital Dolby 5 channel.

Options…..
If your original video uses ac3 5.1 then using share create Video File—Same as First Clip should use your videos properties.
OR
Make Movie Templates Manager can create a template using m2ts h264 and digital Dolby
Like sample, or have I just gotten the wrong end of the stick again?????????????

MPEG Transport-Stream Files
24 bits, 1920 x 1080, 25 fps
Upper Field First
(HDMV-PAL), 16:9
H.264 Video
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 18000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 3/2(L,C,R,SL,SR)

Hey Trevor. First, let me correct myself. When encoding using m2ts, it does indeed allow for 6 audio channels (L,R,C,LR,RR,LFE). And, yes, you can create a template or save using same as first clip. My problem, however, is this. I need to create 3 distinct audio tracks. All 3 use the native 5.1 audio (ambient noise). All 3 are later muxed with the video. What is important is that each audio track needs to be in synch with the video, like music and dialogue. It just isn't practical to create 3 video files (each with its own audio), extract the audio from each and then mux. It is much more practical to create an audio file from the project and then mux them to the video. Make sense?

As a side note, I've been using VS for the last 4+ years and for the most part have been very happy with the product. Encoding in HD and dd5.1 is new to me too. I just need to work through the learning curves. I think that with a few upgrades, VS could be an extremely powerful tool.
1. unless I'm missing something, the ability to save an audio file using the ac3 5.1 codec, would be very helpful.
2. The ability to save an audio file to aac 6 ch (or more), is critical for mp4 h264
3. The ability to create DVD or BR using multiple audio tracks.
4. An ability to incorporate plugins / codecs for alternate encoding methods.