distorted audio playback.

[StanLaurel]

I am not sure that there is an option to uninstall, but presumably you could create a restore point and do a system restore if it doesn't help in your case.

[joe pineapples]

Ok, I got him to install the DIVX codec pack which unfortunately made no difference.

What we did notice is that under windows properties-details, it lists the same file as being stereo, whereas in Corel, it lists it as Dolby Digital. If we go to 'settings' and enable 5.1, the clip plays back properly, and rendering it to an AVCHD file, in turn plays back fine in windows media player, but is again distorted in Corel (but plays back ok if DD is again enabled). Assuming the windows properties-details is listing the audio as the correct format, why would Corel seemingly be trying to turn it into a Dolby Digital format (?). We tried seeing what the other editing program [cough] pinnacle [cough] sees the same clip as (audio wise), but couldn't find an option for file properties.

[Ken Berry]

I think we asked this early in the piece: what is the brand name and model of camera producing this video? Some (many) actually film using 5.1 Dolby audio, though some only use dual channel stereo Dolby...

Mind you, I thought VS would automatically detect the 5.1 Dolby since users with such camcorders have not complained about distorted audio in VS, if I recall correctly...

[joe pineapples]

The make & model is the Panasonic AG-HMC81E.

[Ken Berry]

Hmmm... Nice camera! More towards the professional end of the market. It is particularly interesting in that its dual system is not the usual AVCHD for HD/mpeg-2 for SD, but instead is AVCHD/DV. Yet it films to a card not a tape, and has both USB for AVCHD transfer and Firewire for DV capture...! (See the specifications at the end of this long brochure: http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/pdf/Pana ... ochure.pdf )

More to the point, its audio is Dolby 2 channel stereo for AVCHD and PCM for DV... So I am mystified as to why VS cannot play the Dolby 2 channel and will only play it in Dolby 5.1 mode when that is not the native format of the video.

I notice that the camera comes with Edius which is a high end video editing program. Has your friend tried using that? If so, does the audio work properly?

[joe pineapples]

Thanks again for your reply and thoughts Ken. Not sure about what he got with the camera - bundles could be country specific (U.K here), but I wll ask him.

[Ken Berry]

It was from a UK site that I got that brochure, so assume it applied there...

[joe pineapples]

Been round to my friends and he did indeed get a copy of Edius Neo 2 'Booster' edition. We are now in the process of contacting Panasonic for a serial key, as the documentation provided a web link (to obtain a key) which no longer exists. So fingers crossed on that.

In the meantime, whether it is relevant or not, we've found that using the voice-over recording feature in Corel (using a mic), the 5.1 setting needs to be unticked to record, but then ticked again for proper playback, otherwise it comes with the same distortion as the HD clips already mentioned.

[joe pineapples]

Just downloaded the trial version of X5 Ultimate to my own pc and noticed when I ran it, Vista Firewall Control popped up asking me if I wanted to let something called 'smartsound 5.1' (or worded similar) to the net. I let it, presuming its part of of VS. Now if (and a big IF) this needs net access to function properly, and my friend accidentally denied it access, could this be the possible problem?. Strange thing is though I cannot find it listed under the firewalls detected programs (on my pc).

[Ken Berry]

SmartSound is a sort of plug-in which integrates with VS and has done so for several versions now. Essentially, it uses its own proprietary system and music to created self-contained music clips to fit a particular length of video. It should not affect the other audio functions of VS. AFAIK, it accesses the internet to check for updates.

[joe pineapples]

SmartSound is a sort of plug-in which integrates with VS and has done so for several versions now. Essentially, it uses its own proprietary system and music to created self-contained music clips to fit a particular length of video. It should not affect the other audio functions of VS. AFAIK, it accesses the internet to check for updates.

Thanks Ken

I think at this point I'm going to try and get hold of another HDD and do a fresh install of Windows + Corel x5 trial on that. If we can get it working from that drive, then it will be up to him whether he wants to go through wiping his existing drive (and the re-setting up that would involve), bearing in mind he has at least currently got a workaround of making sure the 5.1 sound setting is enabled in Corel before proceeding with any work (shame it doesn't appear to remember it), and only turn it off when he wants to do some voice-over/mic work.

[teknisyan]

For what it is worth, downloading and installing the DivX codec pack solved my audio problem with VideoStudio. See my post here

http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48206

Thanks, I/he will try that. Does it give an option to uninstall if need be?. (add/remove, programs & features etc)

All the codec that I listed can be removed from the CONTROL PANEL > ADD/REMOVE.

Except with the Windows Media Player

[StanLaurel]

By way of a very belated afterthought, you haven't got a program called Tunebite installed, have you? That program installs a codec called "Pixiepack" which has caused some people problems with audio.