Dolby AC-3 Files Empty

Steve Grisetti wrote on 5/8/2016, 8:49 AM

Which Render As template are you using to output your video?

The template you seem to be describing outputs the video stream only. You'll also need to output the audio stream. They'll combine in DVD Architect.

The alternative is to use the Main Concept 1920x1080 template that is labeled Program Stream, which will output both the video and audio in a single file.

phoo wrote on 5/8/2016, 10:01 AM

I'm using the audio only "Dolby Digital AC-3 Studio" and selecting "Stereo DVD"

Output is expected to be an AC-3 audio only file name "myfile.ac3".

I don't understand your comment that what I described is a video stream. I'm already using the MainConcept to output the video stream as m2v. Dolby AC-3 files are indeed audio only.

I am intending to output separate audio and video streams on purpose.

vkmast wrote on 5/8/2016, 10:09 AM

Which video format should I render as
Render settings for a Blu-ray Disc
Render settings for a DVD

"The recommended settings for a DVD (or Blu-ray) are rendered in two parts, the video stream and the audio stream. Make sure to render both files to the same folder with the same name (except with the appropriate extension). When importing the video stream into DVD Architect, the audio stream will import automatically.

"Recompression only takes place when you’ve imported media that doesn’t properly match the requirements of burning the disc. If you import MPEG-2 video for DVDs and MPEG-2 or AVC (H.264) video for Blu-ray discs "

phoo wrote on 5/8/2016, 10:10 AM

Perhaps I should have posed this in the AC-3 forum. Seems as there are a LOT of problems with AC-3.

This seems to describe what I am seeming, with a potential workaround as well.

If this workaround works then this is a BUG.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/showmessage.asp?messageid=937307

phoo wrote on 5/8/2016, 10:27 AM

I also have his problem.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/showmessage.asp?forumid=7&messageid=944327

Marco. wrote on 5/8/2016, 10:56 AM

AC3 Studio does not allow for custom render settings. The two given templates are fixed.

vkmast wrote on 5/8/2016, 10:59 AM

See the relevant AC-3 encoder thread for comments on "(t)his problem."

phoo wrote on 5/8/2016, 2:38 PM

Marco, my is issue is that the resulting ac-3 files are silent. (other stuff is just more WTF stuff).

AC-3 files, audio, is something I do know a lot about.

As a side note, the files being created are of the expected filesize. It's as if the audio is muted.

Markk655 wrote on 5/8/2016, 2:41 PM

This may be a DVD architect related response, but have you registered your products? Do you have DVD Architect installed? I seem to recall there was a link between successful rendering in Movie Studio and the AC3 codec installed & registered in DVD Architect.

vkmast wrote on 5/8/2016, 5:44 PM

Anyway, from DVD Architect Studio 5 Help:

Audio format

See a CC thread:
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/208/883991#884025

phoo wrote on 5/9/2016, 12:55 PM

Yes, everything is registered.

This has nothing to do with DVDA, except to confirm that the files are silent after the fact..

AC-3 files created in Movie Studio 13 are silent....silent in every app I have that supports importing or playing A-3 files.

Thanks for you help.

I will simply assume this is a bug with no workaround.

musicvid10 wrote on 5/9/2016, 1:17 PM

"
It isn't a bug if it can't be duplicated. Following the information you provided, I am unable to duplicate the behavior, nor has it been reported before to the best of my knowledge.

AC3 files created in Movie Studio Platinum 13 using the DVDA stereo template open and preview correctly in DVDA Studio.

Therefore, the source of your issue is not the software,, but your interaction with the software.
Make sure everything is unmuted and bussed correctly, and try again.

Eagle Six wrote on 5/9/2016, 2:27 PM

Hi Phoo,

AC3 works fine for me (SMS12p, SMS13p, VP13) with source files from Canon, Nikon, GoPro, Panasonic, in AVI, MOV, M2T, etc.

Maybe you should look at your source media as the potential problem before you assume there is a bug.

Best Regards.......George

phoo wrote on 5/9/2016, 3:20 PM

Perhaps there is an issue of steps. I found this where someone seems to have had a similar issue and offers a workaround.

Regardless of the workaround, something can set up a scenario where the files are silent. This workaround should be the first step to reproing the issue and debugging it.

Just because y'all have not reproed the issue doesn't mean it's not a real for others.

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/showmessage.asp?messageid=937307

musicvid10 wrote on 5/9/2016, 3:41 PM

There is no "workaround."
AC3 renders work from Vegas. For FIFTEEN YEARS.

You haven't provided enough information for anyone to determine what is causing the silence.
Since you're new, a screenshot or two of your timeline might be "revealing."
Also the complete MediaInfo printout from your source: Vegas may not have a suitable decoder, and with the proper information this could be determined, with a cooperative approach, of course.

Eagle Six wrote on 5/9/2016, 3:53 PM

Hi Phoo,

"Just because y'all have not reproed the issue doesn't mean it's not a real for others."

I agree, but what others are also saying, we cannot duplicate the error you are experiencing.

The link example you provide is one other person who is experiencing the similar results, but his fix hasn't helped you. I followed his workflow, and could not duplicate his error either. With your post and his there are still unknown parameters and conditions. However, something as simple as the source media being different, and/or there being something different between our computer systems and yours, or you have taken some steps which you haven't included, any of which can cause us to reach a different conclusion.

If you would perhaps post a MediaInfo text view of your source media and all the steps you take to duplicate the error, that may prove helpful for someone to help. If you could post a short source file that we could download, that would be even more helpful.

Best Regards.....George

musicvid10 wrote on 5/9/2016, 6:45 PM

George makes an interesting point about systems--I pray you haven't installed any codec "packs" on yours.

phoo wrote on 5/10/2016, 4:37 PM

No codec packs. Glad we don't usually need those any more.

System is an HP Laptop with 16G memory and 1T hard drive.
Came with Win8.1 (UGH) updated to Win10 (UGH)
Had it for about 9 months.

Installed Movie Studio Platinum 12
Installed DVDA5
(upgraded a month or so ago)
Installed Movie Studio Platinum 13
Installed DVDA6 Pro

Last time I used either Movie Studio or DVDA was around 2009 or 2010, Movie Studio 9 time period. I've forgotten a lot of stuff and there's new functionality I've enjoyed exploring.

USING is how to learn. Learn for mistakes. Read the docs and do my best to understand them. Try not to do things that we shouldn't do.

These last few weeks have been very frustrating. I do what the docs say, to the best of my knowledge and have hit more than a few "gotchas" and issues that shouldn't happen giving the simple things I'm doing. Yet they did happen.

I'm not knowledgeable enough yet to know all the terminology. When I hit something that doesn't work as expected I don't know enough to know "what I did wrong." It's frustrating.

I have hit some issue that only I have been able to reproduce. I have been able to reproduce them using simple steps. Yet, going back the next day or days later they no longer reproduce. What changed? Good question. I rebooted.

I can no longer repro this silent AC-3 issue. What did I do differently? Nothing. DId I forget a step? No. I was able to repro this for two days in a row, using the same simple steps. Then it just started working.

As a long time test dev in audio I fully understand the need for specific steps to repro problems. This was my job for 20 years. I'll post the steps below...but they won't repro the problem now. Maybe someone can look through them as see is there is a step I got wrong.

BRB...sorry, I already deleted the silent ac3 files. I do repro this again I'll add a link to them

phoo wrote on 5/10/2016, 4:44 PM

1) Start Movie Studio Platinum 13.0
2) Create new project
-- Audio: Stereo
-- Video: Blu-ray disc
-- Project: Blu-ray 1920x1080-24p

3) Drag and drop a MOV file into the project. MOV file created on an iPhone.

--------------------
--------------------
MOV file Properties:
General
Name: IMG_1681.MOV
Folder: C:\Users\Kelly\Desktop\david\bluray\streams\projects
Type: QuickTime
Size: 129.02 MB (132,116,637 bytes)
Created: Saturday, May 7, 2016, 7:01:12 PM
Modified: Monday, April 11, 2016, 9:36:03 PM
Accessed: Saturday, May 7, 2016, 7:01:12 PM
Attributes: Archive

Streams
Video: 00:01:16.078, 29.982 fps, 1920x1080x24, H.264
Audio: 00:01:16.138, 44,100 Hz, 32 Bit (IEEE Float), Mono, AAC

Summary
[GUDE]: {7BB3FE15-954A-4E75-B5E1-45EE98F74990}

ACID information
ACID chunk: no
Stretch chunk: no
Stretch list: no
Stretch info2: no
Beat markers: no
Detected beats: no

Other metadata
Regions/markers: no
Command markers: no

Media manager
Media tags: no

Plug-In
Name: qt7plug.dll
Folder: C:\Program Files\Sony\Movie Studio Platinum 13.0\FileIO Plug-Ins\qt7plug
Format: QuickTime 7
Version: Version 13.0 (Build 955)
Company: Sony Creative Software Inc.
--------------------
--------------------

4) Verify it plays fine and has audible audio
5) Click Make Movie Button (or select it from the Project Menu)
6) Save it to my hard drive
7) Select Advanced options...
8) Render As dialog opens
--Format: Dolby Digital AC-3 Studio
--Templates: Stereo DVD
--Folder: <browse for valid path, or use the default>
--Filename: defaults to "Untitled.ac3" <rename if desired>
9) Click Render button (renders succesfully)
10) Click the button to open the Folder the file is in (there is is)
--File is valid, has size expected for the length of time the movie file is. It's not an empty file.

11) Start any app that supports playback or import of AC-3 files, play or import

- VLC Media Player (LOVE THIS)
- Power Media Player (HATE IT...HATE THE WHOLW SUITE OF APPS - was intalled on the laptop by default)
- Adobe Audition 3.0 (decodes them - imports AC-3 as audio - will not save as AC-3)
- DVDA5 or DVD6

vkmast wrote on 5/10/2016, 7:44 PM

This is not applicable in the OP's case as he must have an exceptionally buggy version of Movie Studio Platinum 13 and a merciless virus checker but maybe of help to others.

From SCS KB item 5099:
Playback issues with media created by

From MSP 13 Release Notes:
Some MOV files recorded by devices running Apple iOS 6 may fail to read correctly when using QuickTime 7.7.2. Updating to QuickTime 7.7.3 resolves the issue.

From musicvid10 et al.:
If you still have issues, post your complete MediaInfo Properties (TextView) for both source media and rendered video.