5.1 Surround Problem (VegasPRO8.0)

RedAdder wrote on 12/2/2007, 3:03 PM
Hi,
My problem is as follows;
I create a project in VegasPRO, when I render the audio as "DOLBY Dig AC-3 pro", Template: "5.1 Surround DVD" the audio file is created.
I open DVD ArchitectPro and the audio file appears as "5.1 Surround (STEREO DOWNMIX)", I've tried various "options" but with no success.
I submitted this problem to the Technical help 10days ago but have heard nothing.
Anyone out there in Forum land had this problem or knows what causes it???
Any info would be good as it's holding up my 5.1 surround project.
Thanks

Comments

R0cky wrote on 12/3/2007, 10:12 AM
In DVD Arch your project properties are set to AC-3 surround or AC-3 stereo?
RedAdder wrote on 12/4/2007, 5:00 AM
Answer: AC3 Surround.

But When you hover the mouse on the file (from DVD Architect Explorer window) it (the pop up window) says DVD 5.1 Surround (Stereo downmix). So, I'm assuming that the rendered audio is the downmix from Vegas Pro even though it should have been 5.1 mix.
MRe wrote on 12/4/2007, 6:01 AM
Could it be because DVDA connot play back AC3 5.1 mixes on preview? It can only play back it as stereo. When you burn it to DVD everything is ok.

This is easily checked by making a test clip where you pan the sound though all 6 speakers and play it back on 5.1 DVD system.
RedAdder wrote on 12/4/2007, 6:53 PM
I muted the front R/L and Centre speakers (in Pan Control) and rendered the 5.1ac3 file.
This time only the LFE and rear speakers were audible. Success !!!
So it was working all along albeit the rear speakers are much reduced in volume compared to the front R/L and Centre.
This is not the case when auditioned in Vagas PRO all the volumes are even. But when auditioned in DVDArchitectPRO the rear volume is very soft compared to the front R/L and Centre speakers. This may be normal as I expect Sony are using Dolby Surround algorithms and this might be the "Standard".
Thank you.

UPDATE: I just previewed the rendered ac3 file in Windows Media Player (Didn't know it would play ac3 but it does!!) anyway, everything is a source of joy all the volumes of all channels was spot on how I had organised it in VegasPro8, so I'm pretty sure it will sound this way once burned to DVD too.
pwppch wrote on 12/6/2007, 1:21 PM
Vegas cannot preview live what the AC3 encoder will actually produce. This is a limitation that Dolby places on us.

Peter