MPEG Audio on VideoStudio X9

[krgilmer]

I create Church Service videos for broadcast on Comcast TV using VideoStudio X9. We are required to use the following guidelines for posting the videos online to their website:

Must be in the MPEG2 file format. No other video file formats will be accepted.
2. Resolution must be 720x480
3. Frame rate must be 29.97 fps
4. The file can have a constant or variable bitrate. A higher bitrate will result in higher video
quality, but will also increase the file size. The maximum bitrate supported is 10 Mb/s, so
keep it at or below 10.
5. 4x3 aspect ratio is recommended. Files submitted in a 16x9 aspect ratio will play, but will
automatically be stretched vertically, distorting the picture. If your source material is 16X9,
then export it as a 4X3 and have it letterboxed on the top and bottom.
6. Encode audio at 44.1 KHz for optimal performance.

We have been Sharing the videos in MPEG2 format with the above requirements, but we were only made aware recently that the viewers had no audio. Comcast looked into this and said that , "The audio in your files has been encoded as “ac3”. The audio plays fine when opening in a media player on a computer. But when actually playing back live over the air, the server apparently doesn’t like that format, so it airs silence. The audio needs to be encoded as “mpeg” to work properly with the server. Please check your export settings so audio is set to mpeg instead of ac3.

We do not see a way to make the audio in MPEG format in the Share choices. Can anyone advise us if VideoStudio X9 is capable of being shared in Comcast's required format. Please advise.

[BrianCee]

When you get to the 'Share' screen and have selected the MPEG-2 button first select the profile which is nearest to your final requirements

then click on the white plus sign at the very right hand side of the screen

a new dialogue window will open with 3 tabs at the top

on the first tab - just labelled Corel Videostudio change the name of the profile to something suitable which you will always recognise as your church requirement.

Now go to the 3rd tab - marked Compression - and towards the bottom change the audio from Dolby to LPCM audio - click OK and make sure your profile is selected when you create your video

now you should have MPEG-2 videos with sound

[lata]

Hi

Unfortunately, I do not think CVSX9 can render “MPEG2 Audio”
The last version to do that was probably CVSX2.
Corel removed the ability to manually set Mpeg properties leaving us with limited choices for MpegDVD compression, Mpeg Audio was no longer available.

You should ask if LPCM is acceptable rather than Digital Dolby.


If you have a Mpeg2 video with Mpeg Audio then the program may be able to replicate those properties, a bit of a long shot, but may be possible?

[Ken Berry]

VS can certainly deal with MPEG audio as it is the fixed audio format in HDV. But as lata explained, it is no longer offered for standard definition DVD-compatible mpeg2. But Brian's suggestion of using LPCM should certainly work as that is the rock standard of DVD audio (even if you are not producing an actual DVD).

The only slight drawback is that it produces a larger file that Dolby AC3 or MPEG audio. For that reason you would be advised to keep the video bitrate at 8000 kbps if the overall project is 60 - 70 minutes or less and you are indeed producing a DVD. If the project is longer, then the bitrate will need to be further reduced. As a general guide, if it is 90 - 100 minutes, then the bitrate would need to be around 6000 kbps; and if around two hours, then 4000 kbps. But the Comcast notes are correct in indicating that lower bitrates mean lower quality. 6000 kbps is still good quality, but 4000 kbps is no better than VHS tapes.

But if you are just providing Comcast with a video file not burnt as a DVD, then you can keep using 8000 kbps and LPCM audio regardless of the length of the project.

[lata]

Hi

Krgilmer indicates that Comcast will only accept Mpeg Audio, seems a little strange when LPCM is available.

It may be possible for CVSX9 to copy the video as a template with mpeg2 audio providing we do not edit that template.
The option to render Same as First Clip may also use Mpeg2 audio, for that we need a sample.
I have looked through all my older video and all is Digital Dolby, which was introduced using UVS8, a long time ago.

[lata]

Hi

A google search found this info
http://www.comcastspotlight.com/userfil ... 100511.pdf

Indicates that LPCM audio can be used for both SD and HD video formats.
So there should be no problems in using X9 to create an acceptable format.

And for what its worth after a few tests X9 will encode Mpeg Audio layer 2 but only from Project Properties or Same as First Clip.

MovieProfile Manager cannot be used to create a Mpeg2 template using MpegAudio Layer2 even though Show Messages does allow that and changes the PP accordingly.

[krgilmer]

I thank you all for your suggestions. Prior to 2016 we had been sending the Comcast videos via DVD in the mail. In February 2016, we were given the option of submitting digitally with the requirements listed below:
2. Resolution must be 720x480
3. Frame rate must be 29.97 fps
4. The file can have a constant or variable bitrate. A higher bitrate will result in higher video
quality, but will also increase the file size. The maximum bitrate supported is 10 Mb/s, so
keep it at or below 10.
5. 4x3 aspect ratio is recommended.
6. Encode audio at 44.1 KHz for optimal performance.
Encode audio in MPEG format

So, as far as I can see on VS X9 there are no other solutions on the MPEG 2 Share list. In particular, the video resolution has to be 720 x 480. We have tried to use LPCM for the audio, but the Comcast video server is very particular and would not play audio over the air.
Prior to June, when I upgraded to VS X9, I had been using X6 and the digital files I sent had the correct video/audio format. Unfortunately, my Windows 10 system crashed a couple of weeks ago and I had to reinstall software when WIndows 10 was reloaded. I'm considering purchasing the X6 version again to resolve the Comcast problem, but the product states that it is for Windows Vista, XP, 7 and 8. So I'm not certain if it will run properly on Windows 10 as a new install.

If anyone has further suggestions, I would appreciate your input. It is much simpler to send these files to Comcast digitally so that's my preference if I can resolve the audio issue until Comcast has a better method for submission.

Thank you.

[lata]

Hi
My last reply mentioned Same as First Clip, did you try that option?

First of all CVSX6 and CVSX9 produce the same Mpeg2 video files, although we can modify the template, neither can create a template using MPEG audio layer 2.

We can cheat the system, we can replicate the render properties by using Same as First Video Clip, providing you have a video using these properties, which you say you created using X6?

MPEG files
24 bits, 720 x 480, 29.97 fps
Upper Field First
(DVD-NTSC), 16:9
Video data rate: 8000 kbps
Audio data rate: 224 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo

If you own a video having similar properties to above, especially having MPEG audio layer 2
Place the video on the timeline as first clip.
Your project Properties should match the video files properties.
Go to Share
At the top is a box, tick for Same as Project or for Same as first Clip

The render properties will show in the properties and should indicate the correct audio.


OK
I have rendered a 1 second video,attached

start a new project - insert the video to the timeline, choose yes to match properties
View Project Properties

Mpeg2 Mpeg audio.zip

(149.41 KiB) Downloaded 218 times

[krgilmer]

Thank you so much Lata; I think this will work. I did all the steps you indicated and now I can see the MPEG audio layer in the Share properties box. I am rendering the video now and will send it to Comcast for upload. I will Post back when I find out if "cheating the system" method worked. I am really grateful for you experts out there who can solve these problems for us.

Thank you again,
Karen

[lata]

Hi Karen

You may need to modify the template changing the attributes to your needs.
Usually editing the properties reverts to default and would remove the Mpeg Audio.
Providing I only edit the general tab I can change some attributes.
Accessing Compression tab looses the Mpeg2 Audio.

These are some settings to consider which should reflect the settings of your original video file.

The data rate of 8000kbps produces a video at 4Gb for approx. 75 minutes of video, (full quality)
This can be changed to reduce the file size, more suitable for uploading, but also reduces quality.
So 4000kbps will give a file size of 2 Gb, VHS quality

Video Data rate is set to Constant, using Variable will further reduce the file size.

Interlacing Upper Field First
You should choose the same as used by your original video files.

Aspect ratio as 16:9 but 4:3 if your original video is 4:3

If you give details / properties of your original video files then I can try to create a more suitable template.