Newbe Questions

LAMike wrote on 8/4/2004, 5:33 AM
Really enjoy the forum. You guys/gals are great.
I purchased Vegas5+ DVDA in 4-04. Been reading any and everything to learn. It's for fun. I've been a student of guitar for 42 yrs. can push a button on a camcorder/camara.
My questions are really for Sony, I guess.
1. Does anybody that has anything to do with making this software use it?
If yes please continue.
2. Don't you know that even if one can get video/audio "into" it, it's a major problem if one can't get it out. And if one does and the disc will play that the dolby has screwed the sound level.(yes I believe that the level of a wav file should be the same after dolby process PCM or AC3 as default.
If yes please continue.
3. Why didn't you fix this...for me?
Anyway I'm having a blast with the one out of five that kinda work. And a little fun with the most expensive coasters in the neighborhood.
Got to hand it to Sony...just like buying a car...ya gotta get it worked on...just how much do ya love it?

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 8/4/2004, 8:01 AM
I assure you that EVERYONE involved in the engineering of this software uses it, and has used it since the day that the first code came off the assembly line.
Blame Dolby for the level switch from wav to AC3, there are avenues around this, search this forum and the AC3 forum to find the answers in detail.
Getting audio/video out is quite simple. Could you define more specifically how you are unable to get it out? Burning CD's, SVCD's, VCD's, print to tape, streaming, and rendering to higher or lower quality formats for transport to various delivery devices/mechanisms are all possible and simple to do. In fact, NOTHING has as many input/output options in terms of file types and formats, resolutions, sample rates. and framerates that Vegas offers.
Item#2 isn't a question, is it? But while Dolby is being blamed, remember that Dolby sets the rules for encoding and decoding the signal. But Vegas offers a LOT more flexibility in the encode to AC3 stage than many/most tools. Try using Surcode, just for kicks.
Welcome to the software, and to the forum.
LAMike wrote on 8/4/2004, 9:39 AM
Thanks for the reply and the welcome Spot. I have really enjoyed reading your postings. I feel very fortunate to have this source of information.
I have not experienced some of the hardware recognition problems that many have. Refering to camaras and burners...in and out. Lucky there. The question stands (#2)...Why do so many have these problems with "common" equipment. It's not like there problems have been with unknown equipment.
My problem has been not knowing that the DVD will play. Sony and nobody wants to say it will play. How can anyone create a DVD and give it to someone and know it will work. So I get 20% from + and/or - at present time. With a track record maybe that that will improve with a specific brand. Man, I can burn five disc's and I have no idea which one will play in what. I go around with those disc's +/- and place a bet. Who knows?
Sound level...
OK, let's blame Dolby. I'm not sure I wanted to blame anyone for anything but if it's just a matter of adjusting something, which I have read about and still trying to get right, why didn't Sony make that a default setting upfront and save you,me and everyone the problem? And why should anyone have to use Nero or any other app to burn?
So the engineer's use it and didn't set it to recognize "common" camaras and burners and didn't set settings for Dolby . Isn't that right? So qestions 2 and 3 stand...why didn't they?

And the 20% that I get to play is great. Not sure about the problem there. Format's a mess I guess.
I'm the old guy trying to make a big transition from analog to digital. What a trip.


winrockpost wrote on 8/4/2004, 1:25 PM
20% play , you got some issues.What settings you using, what burner ?

i use (- )discs, usually verbatim, have burnt several hundred on Sony and pioneer burners,
I have had 3 discs total returned.Usually use variablr bit rate 8,000,000 max, 6,000,000 average . ,
Good luck
LAMike wrote on 8/4/2004, 2:31 PM
I use an Iomega Super DVD external. Memorex DVD+R , Verbatim DVD+R and Verbatim DVD-R.
The PC is Dell 8300 win xp
It has DVD burner but Vegas doesn't see it. Only the Iomega.
I've been trying simple music video using wav files from Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro 3 and Sonic Foundry Vision Series loops that came with Vegas.
The bitrate is still default which I think is 8,000 avg. max.
I have only burned enough to know something needs attention. Can't really say which brand may work better or which setting. I thought with @12 minutes of audio and video it would work no problem. And that much is true. The disk's that work are very nice. Better than anything I've ever done before. I have five different DVD players in the house and I haven't made a disc yet that will play in all of them.(probably can't from what I read)
I'm beginning to think that Vegas will do so much that I have a lot to learn. Not really a turn on and go type of thing, even for something I feel should be simple.
Thanks for reply winrock and any help/suggestions would be appreciated.
B.Verlik wrote on 8/4/2004, 3:32 PM
Here's some suggestions from another, sort of, newbie. DO NOT put sticky labels on the DVD Rs, no matter what. I have also had good luck making DVDs and the only person I know who complained, owned a Sony DVD player from a few years ago. He also said my DVDs played great in some cheapo unit he had. There are tweaks for the AC3 file,(go to that section of the forum.) But if you don't pay attention to the details that Dolby labs makes available, you could end up with the levels being set for you again. (of course, too low) You will have to render an AC3 file in Vegas Vid, not Vegas DVD. Then render your mpg video without audio. Be sure that the timeline you render is exactly the same amount of frames for each file. DVD-A will bring in both files when you make a DVD, if both files are in the same file. (you can manually select from two different files, if you want.) Dolby labs makes details available. Hope you like reading. (PDF info is downloadable) http://www.dolby.com/digital/ Good luck.