Audio 'clicks' on final rendered project

[civiliankane]

When I do the final render on my project, I find that in certain spots the audio is clicking, kinda sounds like static. It tends to happen when I do hi-def renders, but almost happens all the time. The only time it doesn't seem to happen is when I do low quality rendering. However, when I am editing the project, before I do the final render, there are no audio clicks at all. Any ideas of how to fix it?

[Ken Berry]

Welcome to the forums! But unfortunately we are not mind readers...! You have simply not given us enough information to be able to offer any solid advice. Towards the top of this forum there is a sticky post entitled indicatively enough "PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE POSTING". Please have a look at that and get back to us with the information set out there and I am sure someone will be along to help. In particular, we need to know exactly what format of "hi-def" video is involved (AVCHD, HDV or other), what editing you have done and exactly what format you are outputting to. It would certainly help if you right clicked on both a piece of the original video and the final video either in the VS timeline or library window, and copied ALL their Properties here, please...

[trooper99]

I am having the same problems. This issue has just started recently while using X3 with multiple output "sharing" formats and original file types...

I have been testing a .mpg video clip that has been trimmed down but doesn't have any added affects... and trying to output it to an .mpg, .avi and even a .wav sound file... All of which had a clicking/skipping like sound in the audio.

Here's the original file's properties...
MPEG-2, Upper field first
54.465 frame(s)
24 bits, 720 x 480, 16:9
29.970 frames/sec
Variable bit rate (Max 9100 kbps)

Audio
Dolby digital Audio
87,231,231 Samples
48000Hz
256 kbps

Here's one of the file types I tried sharing it as...
MPEG-2, Upper field first
8.730 frame(s)
24 bits, 720 x 480, 16:9
29.970 frames/sec
Variable bit rate (Max 9100 kbps)

Audio
Dolby digital Audio
13,981,982 Samples
48000Hz
256 kbps

Any help would be greatly appreciated here, thanks!

[Ron P.]

@trooper99
Welcome to the forums,

Thanks for providing that information. The video properties look fine. There's one bit of information that kinda leads toward the video being created on a digital camera or a small camcorder like my Canon FS-300, the bitrate of 9100. Are you getting these clicks with all video from the same source? Is it present in the original video? Try viewing one of the problematic source clips in a software media player and see if the clicks are there. I have a Kodak P880 that records video too, however using MJPEG codec in a MOV wrapper. It has a problem with clicking. Partly due to what's called motor-noise. Not sure what motor, since it records to flash-card. The mics on small compact cameras and camcorders stink for audio quality, and will pick up the littlest sound around the unit.

One thing I've found out is that the high-quality bitrate of 9100 is pushing the envelope when it comes to the maximum allowed for standard-def video, especially if you intend on burning DVDs. I've had to reduce the bitrate to around 8,000, otherwise my DVD player has problems reading them. Have you tried using (L)PCM audio, instead of Dolby?

[trooper99]

The clicks do not exist on the original video files, and the video files that have been tested are from two separate sources/cameras. It is more of a skip/glitch where the audio isn't consistently being processed in time with the video when being "shared".

I've been using the same settings of the high-quality bitrate of 9100 (and not sure where/how to make that change to test 8000) but when sharing a .wav file that was PCM... I had the same issues.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

Can you try rendering without using Smart Render.
You can turn this option off Share Create Video file—options

To reduce the bit rate use either the Custom option which allows you to set the render properties or use Make Movie Templates Manager. I would think you could use the Add function-browse for one of your files then Edit the template reducing the bit rate.

Strange that it shows when creating a Wav file?

[trooper99]

I have had similar problems in the past when using Smart Render so I haven't been using it here when doing this testing...

And when lowering the bit rate to 8000 as suggested the problem still exists....?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

My first thoughts were that the sound was on the original but you say not.

In the past, a few years ago I had some sound issues in the form of clicks, I re-installed my audio software/drivers.

Are you able to make a sample video available for download?

[Ken Berry]

Have you tried lowering the *audio* bitrate for Dolby from 256 down to 192? Should still give very good quality...

[trooper99]

Trevor - I assume if it were the sound card that it would have trouble playing the original file as well? Is there anywhere you'd suggest uploading a sample for download?

Ken... How do I change the bit rate of Dolby from 256 to 192?

[Ken Berry]

Ken... How do I change the bit rate of Dolby from 256 to 192?

You have to choose Share > Create Video File > Custom. Normally this will show DVD-compatible mpeg-2 files as the default, but you can choose whatever format you like. But assuming you are wanting to create a custom mpeg-2 file, simply click on the Options button then choose the compression tab. At the bottom of that tab are the audio settings, with LPCM normally as the default. Click open the menu and choose Dolby, and then in the little window below that, you can change the bitrate from the default 224...

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Trooper99

Uploading video, I was hoping you had some options
E-Mails are out of the question, Mpeg’s at 9100kbps is going to be approximately 80 Mb per minute.

In the past I have used Windows Messenger (Windows Live) to transfer large files, but both parties have to be on line at the same time. The last time I used it was for a 600Mb file it took about 7 hours, it really depends on the internet speed.

Windows Live -- SkyDrive allows you to share folders but limited to 50 Mb upload.

So do you use Hotmail????????

http://www.mediafire.com/

I have not used this internet program so cannot comment
The basic program is free, limited to 200 mb files.

If you still have problems when rendering to the lower audio and video bit rate, I would still consider re-installing the audio software.

[trooper99]

I will send it to you through live msgr to check out...

lowerring the bitrate to 192 didn't solve the problem unfortuanately... I am trying to figure out how to re-install my audio software/driver now to try that

[Trevor Andrew]

Trooper99 has provided the offending video file.

This shows a blanks or muted frame, a single frame within the audio stream, (sound Mixer view) the sample is 1 min 7 seconds and contains about 6 of these frames. Playing the clip and the sound seems to break up.
Either the frames have been muted or they are additional frames added to the audio stream.
I think the later being most likely.
I can provide an image of the Sound Mixer timeline, but a little pressed for time at the moment.

If they are additional frames then you would expect the audio to go out of sync, getting worse as the frames add up.

James can you check your rendered files towards the end for out of sync audio.
Can you re-render the project and disable Smart Render to see if this makes a difference.

Ken I know you have a couple of posts regarding audio sync, do you think we can ask your posters to view the clip in Sound Mixer view to possibly identify any silent frames.

Post edited, image inserted

The flat area in the wave form is one frame in length, i just dont know how it got there?