I am trying to use the "normalize audio" function in the "finish" phase of
DVD Movie Factory 4.0. It works fine with MPEG-2 files with:
24 Bits, 720 x 576, 25 fps
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 7000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo
But when I try to normalize MPEG-2 files with Dolby Digital audio:
24 Bits, 704 x 576, 25 fps
(DVD-PAL), 4:3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 7000 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio, 48 KHz, 2/0(L,R)
I get no sound whatsoever.
If I try to export and convert an AC3 file to
Audio data rate: 384 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo
the resulting file has no sound either.
Does anyone have a possible solution or even a lead?
Thanks.
No sound when normalizing audio of AC3 (Dolby Digital) files
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maddrummer3301
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: US
Are those files imported from a panasonic dvd recorder.
I know the panasonic units record at 704 frame size.
I will have to try that conversion from dolby to mpeg and
see it the audio is there.
Sometimes MF won't play the audio track but if I use an external
player it will. Depends if I have the "Create Index File for better seeking performance" under Preferences checked on. Checkin ON seems to
make that happen.
MD
I know the panasonic units record at 704 frame size.
I will have to try that conversion from dolby to mpeg and
see it the audio is there.
Sometimes MF won't play the audio track but if I use an external
player it will. Depends if I have the "Create Index File for better seeking performance" under Preferences checked on. Checkin ON seems to
make that happen.
MD
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maddrummer3301
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: US
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emri
Thank you, Maddrummer, for your prompt and helpful reply.
Yes, I am using a Panasonic DVD recorder, the DMR-ES10.
I have tried writing the VOB files to DVD-RW using Nero, but standalone players won't reproduce sound either.
I do have "Create Index File for MPEG seeking performance" under Preferences checked.
I have tried converting to mpg2 audio at 224kbs, but to no avail.
There's gotta be a way to solve this! I'd appreciate any and all input. Thanks.
Yes, I am using a Panasonic DVD recorder, the DMR-ES10.
I have tried writing the VOB files to DVD-RW using Nero, but standalone players won't reproduce sound either.
I do have "Create Index File for MPEG seeking performance" under Preferences checked.
I have tried converting to mpg2 audio at 224kbs, but to no avail.
There's gotta be a way to solve this! I'd appreciate any and all input. Thanks.
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maddrummer3301
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: US
Have you installed the latest update? Fixes some dolby issues.
Not sure it will fix this one. Unless your renaming the VOB's and
putting them on the timeline probably something to report to tech support.
I do have some problems with the audio when that seeking is checked.
Recently finding that out.
You said VOB's so you must have recorded to a dvd-rw formatted as
standard video?
The thing to remember with my unit is finalizing the dvd and
remembering when I export to keep the framesize to 704.
The video's recorded on mine are nice.
Can't you import the dvd using the import dvd/vr icon (top right).
Your probably doing that, don't copy the vob's and rename them.
That is a trick and doesn't always work. That is also one reason for
that seeking option under parameters.
Try not checking that seeking parameter. Mine works better without
that checked. I've made many dvd's from the unit recording onto dvd-ram,
using MF3/4 to import and burn a dvd-r/+r.
I also record onto ram and trim the videos before importing on the recorder. Usually never edit the mpeg2 files.
If you receive an error at the end of importing don't cancel, accept to keep
the file(s) and import them from the harddisk. They still play.
If you receive an error importing ram then copy the dvd contents to the
harddisk and import from the harddisk. Same with dvd-video's.
There is another work around for some of the errors when importing
direct from the dvd reader. Not all computer drives will read Ram disks.
I bought some Lite-On units (readers) that read the dvd-ram disks.
Hope some of this helps, I've been importing from the recorders for a good
time now. It turns into a science because every video format and type
of media makes a difference. What appears to be simple isn't always simple.
MD
Tip: Panasonic Dvd Recorders, inserting damaged dvd's into unit, cannot eject disk.
Solution: The panasonic dvd recorders have an emergency eject.
Unplug the unit. Plug it in. Hit the power switch. Hold the eject button for
at least (over ) 20 seconds. This activates the emergency eject.
Not sure it will fix this one. Unless your renaming the VOB's and
putting them on the timeline probably something to report to tech support.
I do have some problems with the audio when that seeking is checked.
Recently finding that out.
You said VOB's so you must have recorded to a dvd-rw formatted as
standard video?
The thing to remember with my unit is finalizing the dvd and
remembering when I export to keep the framesize to 704.
The video's recorded on mine are nice.
Can't you import the dvd using the import dvd/vr icon (top right).
Your probably doing that, don't copy the vob's and rename them.
That is a trick and doesn't always work. That is also one reason for
that seeking option under parameters.
Try not checking that seeking parameter. Mine works better without
that checked. I've made many dvd's from the unit recording onto dvd-ram,
using MF3/4 to import and burn a dvd-r/+r.
I also record onto ram and trim the videos before importing on the recorder. Usually never edit the mpeg2 files.
If you receive an error at the end of importing don't cancel, accept to keep
the file(s) and import them from the harddisk. They still play.
If you receive an error importing ram then copy the dvd contents to the
harddisk and import from the harddisk. Same with dvd-video's.
There is another work around for some of the errors when importing
direct from the dvd reader. Not all computer drives will read Ram disks.
I bought some Lite-On units (readers) that read the dvd-ram disks.
Hope some of this helps, I've been importing from the recorders for a good
time now. It turns into a science because every video format and type
of media makes a difference. What appears to be simple isn't always simple.
MD
Tip: Panasonic Dvd Recorders, inserting damaged dvd's into unit, cannot eject disk.
Solution: The panasonic dvd recorders have an emergency eject.
Unplug the unit. Plug it in. Hit the power switch. Hold the eject button for
at least (over ) 20 seconds. This activates the emergency eject.
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emri
Thanks again, Maddrummer, for your prompt (and extensive) reply. Sorry for not answering sooner, but I’m in Europe, so we have a bit of a time lag problem.
Yes, I have installed the latest update.
And I do record my DVD-RWs formatted as standard video.
I have not tried recording DVD-RAM as neither of my PC units read DVD-RAM.
Generally, I have been quite happy with both the Panasonic DMR-ES10 and Movie Factory 4.0. Maybe we’re too quick to blame the software when things don’t work. Very often I have found the problem to be elsewhere – too little free space on hard drives (less than 10 GB I believe) being the most frequent reason for crashes.
I have followed all your suggestions, but I still get no sound when converting from AC3 (or using the “normalize” function to burn multiple AC3 files with varying sound levels).
I do get one message after importing DVD-RWs:
“Failed to begin VIO playback instance in the import DVD priview module.”
But after clicking on OK I’m able to import the files with no problem.
I have also tried clicking “yes” on receiving the following message when MPEG opening files:
"The file has a better way to improve its editing performance. Do you want to perform pre-process to improve it?"
Do you know what pre-processing is? Does it change the MPEG file itself? Subjectively, I have found no difference.
The only way I have found to prevent the message from appearing each time a file is opened is to deactivate "Create Index File for better seeking performance" under Preferences.
Thanks also for your tip on ejecting discs from Panasonic DVD-recorders. My first unit was suddenly unable to read any discs after two weeks, but I was able to exchange the unit with no problem.
Greetings from Europe,
emri
Yes, I have installed the latest update.
And I do record my DVD-RWs formatted as standard video.
I have not tried recording DVD-RAM as neither of my PC units read DVD-RAM.
Generally, I have been quite happy with both the Panasonic DMR-ES10 and Movie Factory 4.0. Maybe we’re too quick to blame the software when things don’t work. Very often I have found the problem to be elsewhere – too little free space on hard drives (less than 10 GB I believe) being the most frequent reason for crashes.
I have followed all your suggestions, but I still get no sound when converting from AC3 (or using the “normalize” function to burn multiple AC3 files with varying sound levels).
I do get one message after importing DVD-RWs:
“Failed to begin VIO playback instance in the import DVD priview module.”
But after clicking on OK I’m able to import the files with no problem.
I have also tried clicking “yes” on receiving the following message when MPEG opening files:
"The file has a better way to improve its editing performance. Do you want to perform pre-process to improve it?"
Do you know what pre-processing is? Does it change the MPEG file itself? Subjectively, I have found no difference.
The only way I have found to prevent the message from appearing each time a file is opened is to deactivate "Create Index File for better seeking performance" under Preferences.
Thanks also for your tip on ejecting discs from Panasonic DVD-recorders. My first unit was suddenly unable to read any discs after two weeks, but I was able to exchange the unit with no problem.
Greetings from Europe,
emri
-
maddrummer3301
- Posts: 2507
- Joined: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: US
>>?Failed to begin VIO playback instance in the import DVD priview module.?
If you copy the contents of the dvd to the harddisk and import the video from the harddisk should work.
Also, sharing the dvd reader and mapping back to it may work better. Or, share the dvd on the network
from another machine and map to it. Either way then import from the new mapped drive letter.
Can you maybe try that and post back. They need to know about this error.
So if NOT creating a seeking file when you export out the AC-3 to mpg audio it's NOT working correct?
I'll try both methods again tonight. Maybe the error message for viewing the video has something to do with it.
Usually I don't import the video after the error message and access the drive via a shared method.
What your saying though is there isn't any sound in the mpg2 file at all correct? The propertiess show no sound.
Even if you export using the "Customize" button and make sure "Video & Audio" is in the properties of the export file? You can export video only.
DVD-RAM is fast. The Lite-On reader that reads them isn't expensive. My HP laptop reads ram. I'll post back the Model number of the desktop units.
Not all Lite-On units read ram-disks. Ram-disks can be recorded 100,000 time versus dvd-rw with is 1,000.
What's nice about the ram is trimming or splitting the file(s) before importing. It's fast.
Don't know if you've used the panasonic cartridges but the dvd's will last their lifetime inside the protective cartridges.
Hope this helps,
MD
If you copy the contents of the dvd to the harddisk and import the video from the harddisk should work.
Also, sharing the dvd reader and mapping back to it may work better. Or, share the dvd on the network
from another machine and map to it. Either way then import from the new mapped drive letter.
Can you maybe try that and post back. They need to know about this error.
So if NOT creating a seeking file when you export out the AC-3 to mpg audio it's NOT working correct?
I'll try both methods again tonight. Maybe the error message for viewing the video has something to do with it.
Usually I don't import the video after the error message and access the drive via a shared method.
What your saying though is there isn't any sound in the mpg2 file at all correct? The propertiess show no sound.
Even if you export using the "Customize" button and make sure "Video & Audio" is in the properties of the export file? You can export video only.
DVD-RAM is fast. The Lite-On reader that reads them isn't expensive. My HP laptop reads ram. I'll post back the Model number of the desktop units.
Not all Lite-On units read ram-disks. Ram-disks can be recorded 100,000 time versus dvd-rw with is 1,000.
What's nice about the ram is trimming or splitting the file(s) before importing. It's fast.
Don't know if you've used the panasonic cartridges but the dvd's will last their lifetime inside the protective cartridges.
Hope this helps,
MD
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emri
Thanks again, Maddrummer.
You wrote:
>>?Failed to begin VIO playback instance in the import DVD priview module.?
“If you copy the contents of the dvd to the harddisk and import the video from the harddisk should work.
Also, sharing the dvd reader and mapping back to it may work better. Or, share the dvd on the network
from another machine and map to it. Either way then import from the new mapped drive letter.
Can you maybe try that and post back. They need to know about this error.”
I tried all that, but I still get that message.
I now suspect the problem might be that I do not have Ulead DVD player as my default player, but Power DVD. What do you think? At any rate, I just click OK and have no problem importing.
You wrote:
“What your saying though is there isn't any sound in the mpg2 file at all correct? The propertiess show no sound.”
Interestingly enough, after exporting and converting an AC3 file, the properties DO show there is MPEG sound present (for example at 384 bps), but is not audible (neither on the PC nor after burning on the stand-alone DVD player).
You wrote:
“Even if you export using the "Customize" button and make sure "Video & Audio" is in the properties of the export file? You can export video only.”
I export both audio and video.
I’m beginning to suspect the fact that I’m not able to normalize multiple AC3 files may have to do with AC3 in general. Two quotes from a couple of other video forums:
“Unfortunately, you can't simply change the volume of audio files, especially multi-channel AC-3 or DTS. You'll have to convert it preferably into PCM format (.wav), adjust the volume in some audio editor, then re-encode back. Re-encoding is likely to decrease the audio quality. You can avoid this by using the new PCM files instead of old audio, although it will only work for stereo sound and take a lot of disc space.”
“If you still have the original VHS captures, it would be best to normalize the sound in an audio editor or TMPGEnc and re-encode it into AC-3. Authoring programs are not supposed to touch the source material, and AC-3 is not really a format that allows any editing including normalizing.”
By the way, I tried converting to LPCM too, but same thing: no sound audible in the exported file.
Thanks for all your help, Maddrummer. I’m afraid I’m about to give up on this one.
Greetings from Europe,
emri
You wrote:
>>?Failed to begin VIO playback instance in the import DVD priview module.?
“If you copy the contents of the dvd to the harddisk and import the video from the harddisk should work.
Also, sharing the dvd reader and mapping back to it may work better. Or, share the dvd on the network
from another machine and map to it. Either way then import from the new mapped drive letter.
Can you maybe try that and post back. They need to know about this error.”
I tried all that, but I still get that message.
I now suspect the problem might be that I do not have Ulead DVD player as my default player, but Power DVD. What do you think? At any rate, I just click OK and have no problem importing.
You wrote:
“What your saying though is there isn't any sound in the mpg2 file at all correct? The propertiess show no sound.”
Interestingly enough, after exporting and converting an AC3 file, the properties DO show there is MPEG sound present (for example at 384 bps), but is not audible (neither on the PC nor after burning on the stand-alone DVD player).
You wrote:
“Even if you export using the "Customize" button and make sure "Video & Audio" is in the properties of the export file? You can export video only.”
I export both audio and video.
I’m beginning to suspect the fact that I’m not able to normalize multiple AC3 files may have to do with AC3 in general. Two quotes from a couple of other video forums:
“Unfortunately, you can't simply change the volume of audio files, especially multi-channel AC-3 or DTS. You'll have to convert it preferably into PCM format (.wav), adjust the volume in some audio editor, then re-encode back. Re-encoding is likely to decrease the audio quality. You can avoid this by using the new PCM files instead of old audio, although it will only work for stereo sound and take a lot of disc space.”
“If you still have the original VHS captures, it would be best to normalize the sound in an audio editor or TMPGEnc and re-encode it into AC-3. Authoring programs are not supposed to touch the source material, and AC-3 is not really a format that allows any editing including normalizing.”
By the way, I tried converting to LPCM too, but same thing: no sound audible in the exported file.
Thanks for all your help, Maddrummer. I’m afraid I’m about to give up on this one.
Greetings from Europe,
emri