MPEG-4 Audio doesn't play in X5, X6 but does in X4

[david1939]

The following didn't eventually cause me a problem since I have retained some earlier versions of VS. Normally, starting way back with VS version 8, I've happily downloaded avi files from my handicam, edited them and made nice home movies on DVD, worth watching even by non-family .

But now I've just been given a couple of mpeg-4 files (total time of 1 hr 20 min or so) to turn into a nicely edited DVD (it's an orchestral concert). If I insert the files into the timeline in either X5 and X6, the audio doesn't sound when I try to play either the project or the clip. Do the same with X4 and things work perfectly, audio comes through loud and clear. So I've used X4 for the task, thank heaven I kept it on my computer.

An additional task was to make an audio CD - no sweat, I just created a sound file (in the "share" tab) with X4 and went from there. Trying to do the same with either X5 and X6 caused the software to crash with an error message.

error message

Here are the properties of one of the mpeg-4 files:

While I've sort of solved my problem, it would be nice to be using the latest VS version! What's going on?

David Evans

[lata]

Hi David

I do not have a definite reason why X4 works and X5,X6 cause problems.

I did view the Make Movie Templates Manager to see if I could replicate your Mpeg4 properties, unfortunately not.
VS will not set 1280 x 720 as Baseline, but will if you select Main H264 option

Later versions of Video Studio will allow different, I suppose better options.

Your video also shows using Mono audio at 1 Kbps, that is extremely low.

----------------------

I would use a video Converter to convert to a more editable format, worth a go anyway.
If you do not have your own software - FreeMaker Video Converter seems to work pretty well.
Similar settings as below:-

MPEG-4 Files
24 bits, 1280 x 720, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
H.264 Main Profile Video: 5000 Kbps
44100 Hz, 16 Bit, Stereo
MPEG AAC Audio: 128 Kbps

However if you are intending to burn a DVD then you may be best to convert to Mpeg2 as that is ultimately what you will do to burn a disc.
Similar to:-

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Frame-based
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 7000 kbps) approx
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)

[david1939]

Thanks, Trevor. I'll give conversion a go and see what happens. Yes, I was puzzled about that really low 1kbps, though not terribly knowledgeable about mpegs in general (like not at all!)

Best regards,

David

[david1939]

Yep! Conversion to mpeg2 with DVD specs. gave me files which X6 imported and played the audio OK. Thanks again, Trevor. FYI I've attached the file specs that Freemake assigned for DVD quality.

[Ken Berry]

Hmmm... Strange that it assigned Lower Field First. The original mp4 appears to have been progressive (i.e. neither Upper nor Lower Field First). Given that most mpeg-2 these days is Upper Field First, I would have thought that would have been the default, or at least Frame Based for what was originally progessive. But as long as you are not mixing in any other video which is Upper Field First, there should be no problem in using this Lower Field First footage, as long as you adjust the final DVD Properties to also be Lower Field First.