AC-3 files slow down DVDA file operations

johnmeyer wrote on 5/23/2004, 9:41 AM

In DVDA 2.0, if I go to the DVDA Explorer view and right-click on an MPEG-2 file, I IMMEDIATELY get a pop-up menu that lets me select "Insert Media."

However, if that MPEG-2 file has a matching AC-3 file, it can sometimes take 15-30 seconds for that pop-up to appear. All subsequent operations on that file (such as scrubbing the timeline) are also sluggish.

I have previously reported this problem, but only today realized the problem only occurs when there is an AC-3 file. I have reported other problems relating to AC-3 files, so it looks like there are some issues in DVDA 2.0 relating to how it handles AC-3.

Both the MPEG-2 and AC-3 files were created in Vegas 5.0a, using the DVD Architect and AC-3 Stereo templates.

Comments

ghosty6 wrote on 5/24/2004, 7:29 PM

Same here it takes ages to read a large AC3 file....

johnmeyer wrote on 5/24/2004, 9:44 PM

It is rapidly becoming clear that there is something in the AC-3 code that is both slow, and also a resource hog. One workaround that I am considering is to not add the AC-3 files to the project until just before I prepare the project. I shouldn't have to do this, of course, but it might make a HUGE difference in how quickly the program responds.

rontvs wrote on 5/24/2004, 9:59 PM

I have had some concerns with the AC-3 audio also. It seems to me that you should be able to import DVD compliant MPEG-2 media that contain multiplexed AC-3 audio into DVDA. I have used Roxio Capture to convert DVD VOB files to MPEG-2 these files contain multiplexed AC-3 audio. The files will import in DVDA but "without" the audio. I hope this restriction get lifted and I would also like to see direct import of non-protected VOB files (with AC-3 audio) as well.