5.1 sound

[alewis]

Hi

new to these parts, and hoping someone can help me. I've tried search, but haven't been able to find an answer that directly answers my question (in terms I can understand at least!)

Converting divx/xvid to dvd. Not a problem, all goes swimmingly well using Mainconcept's MPEGEncoder. No problem authoring using Moviefactory <spit> or TMPGenc Author.

But... sound is only stereo. if I use Ulead to convert and author, it reproduces a 5.1 (or AC3) soundtrack. Ok, so this is a limitation of MPEGEncoder...

What do I need to do to include 5.1 audio? I think - but am not 100% sure... I should rip the audio using [Goldwave? VirtualDub?] and then include this as audio input at a laters stage.

But where? In MPEGEncoder, or during the authoring stage. I've tried both, and still only have stereo sound.

I'm doing something wrong somere... either with the audio rip or the audio mix....

Ideas please! If possible, still using MPEGEncoder (I find it faster and produces better results than TMPGenc), but if this is not possible, then please suggest other transcription tool(s);

Many thanks

Al

[setarip]

Does the MainConcept MPEGEncoder provide the ability to Demultiplex the .AC3 audiostream and save it as a separate file? If not, you should be able to use "TMPGEnc or "TMPGEncPlus" (Both different than "TMPGEnc DVD Author") to accomplish this.

Then us the MainConcept MPEGEncoder to convert the video-ONLY to a silent ".M2V" videofile.

You can then load both the silent ".M2V" and the .AC3 audio file into "TMPGEnc DVD Author"...

(Note- You MAY have to use a program named "AC3FIX" to modify the .AC3 file's header so that it will be recognized by "TMPGEnc DVD Author")

Let us know of your success ;>}

[alewis]

Thanks for taking the time.

The simple answer is "I think so" - it will output MPEG type as MPEG1, VCD, MPEG2, SVCD and DVD. It will output streams as elementay(video, audio, or both) program (video, adio, both) and transport (again all 3). audio format as Layer2 or LPCM.

Input can be mpg/avi, and one can spcify seperate video and audio sources.

Based on that I assumed I would have to rip the 5.1 sound track from the .avi using - I assume VirtualDub - and presumably saving as wav, then adding it back either

a. Into mpeg encoder to create the dvd mpeg, specifying the wav(?) file as the audio source

or

b. at the authoring stage, specifying it as a seperate/repalcement audio source

If its b. what sort of dvd mpg should main create? presumably video only, but program or elementary stream type?

Sorry for lots of questions, I'm trying to avoid spending hours finding the answer (not a modern PC) and creating coasters in the process, by picking the brains of peeps who have "been there, done that, made the video" - excuse the awful pun!

Thanks in advance
Al

[setarip]

"Based on that I assumed I would have to rip the 5.1 sound track from the .avi using - I assume VirtualDub - and presumably saving as wav, then adding it back either"

No. You should be able to use the MainConcept MPEG Encoder to load the ENTIRE .AVI and then demultiplex it and save the .AC3 audiostream and ".M2V" videostream as separate files...

[alewis]

Ah ha. Will try that tonight. Thanks!

[sfheath]

um .... coasters? ... you mean you don't use rewritables?

[setarip]

"Thanks!"

My pleasure ;>}

Let us know of your success...

[alewis]

Originally posted by sfheath
um .... coasters? ... you mean you don't use rewritables?

Neither set top player likes them...