Dolby 5.1 down to 2.0 with VS 2019 and W10

[EES]

I have been a user of Ulead and VideoStudio for years, but for some reasons I have not been editing videos since 2014. Now I have time for that again, and I have at least three videos from 2014-2015, recorded with a Sony HD video camera. Format is HD 1440x1080i DD AC3 5.1 m2ts. One of them even already mounted just to write to blu-ray.

Then, one or two weeks ago I bought VS 2019 and installed under Windows 7. I made an iso image of the bluray and my surprise was when I saw it had no sound at all. Then I checked and confirmed that project properties had been downgraded to DD 2.0. I saw some ways to change the sound to stereo LPCM and sync with the video but this is not the best solution. So I have already changed my system to Windows 10 and the problem is still there. Even reinstalling it under Windows 10. Should I uninstall and install again? By means of the uninstall package mentioned in the forum for VS2019?

Because I think this is completely supported with Windows 10 Home Premium. Is that right?
Thanks in advance

[Ken Berry]

This has already been discussed in other threads. But essentially, what you have found is what has happened. For some inscrutable reason, Corel have dropped Corel support for Dolby entirely on Windows 7, and has restricted Dolby to dual channel stereo on Windows 10 i.e. no more 5.1. No one knows why this was done and Corel is not saying. There is certainly no economic sense in it.

[EES]

Not exactly. VS2019 in w7 worked just the same than under W10 (allowing DD 2.0 and not 5.1 in my simple project). I changed to w10 mainly to solve this.
In the requirements section of the Vs2019 web says (almost invisible, by the way):

AVCHD (.MTS, .M2T, .M2TS, .MPG) with AC3 audio is only supported on Windows 8 and 10.

And don't specify "AC3 2.0 but not 5.1". Usually everyone understand AC3 as DD 5.1.
Curiously a friend of mine used VS6 and VS8 with DD5.1 without problem. Every new version lacks some old function now? It sounds ridiculous.

Should then I ask for a refund to Corel? Or maybe ask them to let me download and use an old version under the license of the new one? I'm really frustrated.

[Ken Berry]

I had been going to suggest that VS 2018 and earlier versions still have access to Dolby 5.1 under Win 10, and I assume also under Win 7. But I see that you probably don't have an earlier version than VS 2019.

If you can't live without it -- and I'd understand if you couldn't! -- I'd seek a refund if you bought it within the last 30 days. But I would also be interested in their reply if you asked about downloading an earlier version... Somehow, though, I can't see them doing it.

[EES]

I'll try to get their approval to download and use VS 2018 along with the packet I bought for BD recording. Otherwise my only solution maybe would be to try another video editing package such as Vegas 17 Pro. Really a pity to lose the experience got since Ulead Mediastudio, but perhaps the only exit. Just for some months I could subscribe to Vegas Pro 365 and wait to see what's new in VS 2020.

Thanks for your help. I have already sent the question to Corel Technical Assistance. I'll keep you aware when they answer me.
Esteban

[EES]

Well, this is the end of my relationship with Corel. To my surprise, and as you suspected, Dolby 5.1 support has been removed from VS 2019 and possibly, they say, of future versions of the product.

As you predicted too, they are not able to allow the use of VS2018, what would solve my problem (and maybe of many other possible Videostudio users).
So, I´ll wait for the refund of what I paid.

That's all. Thanks again for your support, Ken, along these years.

[EES]

For anyone who read this post and to correct:

What has been removed from VideoStudio 2019 is not Dolby 5.1 support, but Dolby 5.1 function at all.

[lata]

Hi
Windows 7 ---
As far as I am aware Digital Dolby is no longer supported by CVS 2019
If your video files use Digital Dolby then you will hear nothing no audio full stop.
Unless Corel have change their policy with one of their service packs, we have not heard anything to assume that.

Windows 10,
CVS 2019 only supports Digital Dolby Stereo 2.1
It no longer supports Digital Dolby Surround Sound 5.1
If your video files have been recorded to 5.1 then they will play as stereo using CVS2019

All earlier versions of Video Studio have not been affected.
If I can get access to Windows 7 I will install 2019 and test Digital Dolby