MPEG-2 Audio Does Not Play in DVDA4 Preview

akearns wrote on 9/28/2006, 9:07 AM
I’m trying to preview a DVD that I put together and the audio is not playing for any of the MPEG-2 files I have imported. This wasn’t an issue in DVDA3. I don’t want to render my audio and video separately. Is this a bug or could someone please give me a few tips on this issue?

It appears that this is caused by MPEG-2 files rendered out of Vegas 6. I tried a Vegas 7 file and it worked fine. I'm hopeful that I can still use the files rendered from Vegas 6.

Thanks

Comments

ScottW wrote on 9/28/2006, 10:03 AM
The recommended workflow is to render audio and video seperately. You should formally report this to Sony.
bStro wrote on 9/28/2006, 10:29 AM
I got similar results by rendering an MPEG2 file in V6 using the Default template (which has never been recommended when your destination is DVD, anyhow). Rendering with the DVD NTSC template, the audio previews fine in DVDA4. Maybe DVDA4 has a problem with 44.1kHz audio. (The Default template uses 44.1kHz; the DVD-specific templates use 48kHz, which is correct for DVDs.)

What settings / which template did you use to render the file?

Rob
akearns wrote on 9/28/2006, 1:18 PM
You’re right on with default template. I used the following in Vegas 6:
MainConcept MPEG-2
Audio: 224 Kbps, 44,100 Hz, Layer 2
Video: 29.970 fps, 720x480

In Vegas 7:
DVD Architect NTSC Video Stream
Audio: 224 Kbps, 48,000 Hz, Layer 2
Video: 29.97 fps, 720x480

It is still interesting that the default works fine in Vegas 6, but not in 7. On a different note, it appears I should be separating the audio and video when making a DVD. I guess I made a rookie mistake. However, it’s really nice to only have to keep track of 1 file per DVD section instead of two. When you guys render out audio and video separately, what type of procedure do you use? Do you render with the DVD Architect NTSC Video Stream and then make the audio a separate format. Do you ever experience audio syncing issues if you are loading two separate files. Sorry for the rookie questions, but it was never an issue when Vegas 6 was working the MPEG-2. Thanks for your help and input.
bStro wrote on 9/28/2006, 1:34 PM
Do you render with the DVD Architect NTSC Video Stream and then make the audio a separate format.

DVD Architect NTSC Video Stream for the video, and then AC3 for the audio. As long as both files are in the same directory and have the same name (other than the extension), DVDA will automatically find the audio file when you add the video file to a project.

Do you ever experience audio syncing issues if you are loading two separate files.

Nope.

Rob
ScottW wrote on 9/28/2006, 1:44 PM
There are some attributes of the default template, specifically related to audio, that have changed between V6 and V7 - this got discussed a few days back on the Vegas board as I recall. And you definitely don't want 44Khz, since DVD audio is 48Khz.

You shouldn't have any audio/video sync issues, and there are some scripts available at vasst.com that will let you render audio/video seperately but as if it was a single operation from your perspective.

--Scott
akearns wrote on 9/28/2006, 1:44 PM
Thanks Rob. I still think there is a small bug in V.7, but at the same time I believe you guys have shown me that there is a much better workflow. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

One last question, when you have to give some a file that may or may not be use for making a DVD, what file format do you recommend that would contain both the audio and video.

Thanks,
Andy
bStro wrote on 9/29/2006, 1:03 PM
I still think there is a small bug in V.7,

You mean DVD4?

what file format do you recommend that would contain both the audio and video.

I guess that would depend on what they're using to make the DVD. If they're using DVDA4, I would just be sure that the audio is 48kHz and not 44.1kHz. (And really, we've only experimented with the preview. For all we know, the final DVD will come out fine.) If they're using DVD3 or some other DVD authoring app, I don't suppose it makes a difference. Though it's probably best to use the right settings no matter what the situation.

So, if you must do a single media file, choose MPEG2 and use the DVD NTSC template, since it appears to use the correct settings.

Rob