[SOLVED] AVSTODVD: problem with .idx subtitles and also no audio

[jovopros]

Hi, I'm new to AVSTODVD I had been using Convertxtodvd for about 2 years now, but from what I've read and from a few DVD's I've done with AVS, this program seems to provide superior quality. HOWEVER one definitely needs to tweak with it at least a little bit.



Task: I'm trying to convert a .MKV Blu-ray rip (1488 x 1080 with DTS 768 kbps audio) using AVS and I've encountered 2 problems:

First, the output has no audio. I read somewhere that I need to turn off "keep ac3/dts,mp2 dvd compliant audio" in the audio settings tab, is that wise? will the resulting file play OK in my DVD player? audio preferences are set to ac3 and 192 kbps.

Second, my file comes with a .idx/.sub subtitles, it contains several languages. The subtitles file is detected automatically when I add the .mkv file on AVS, however the resulting file only had english subtitles, I don't know if it's because the mkv also contains english subtitles or because that's the default choice on AVS.
How can I add all the subtitles to the final file? is there a way to choose which ones to keep?
Also, does AVS detect subtitles embedded on mkv files properly (like CX2DVD) and does it add all of them to the resulting DVD? (you can choose subtitle streams with CX2DVD).

Also: there seems to be no guide for AVS on this site or other famous video encoding forums and I've read some posts by the author where he refers to the help section within the program when someone asks what settings should he choose. I was wondering which filter should I use for downscaling my files, the default filter for that is spline64, however on the help section it says that that filter is for UPSCALING and spline16 is mentioned as a downscaling filter, is that a typo? anyway, which one do YOU think is the best filter for upscaling and specially for downscaling?


I never had audio related problems using CX2DVD and I converted tons of mkv files, however I wish to improve the quality of my DVDs, that's why I'm checking out AVSTODVD. CX2DVD handled embedded subtitles very well also, although at the moment I don't recall if it handled idx files too.


Thank you very much in advance for any help you provide

[FulciLives]

I've had issues with AVStoDVD not correctly converting the audio. My suggestion is to make a new file with DVD compliant AC-3 audio (meaning keep the bitrate at or under 448kbps) before importing. The easiest and best way to do that (in my opinion) is to use a handy program called PS3 Muxer which will take your MKV and re-encode the audio from DTS to AC-3 (it allows you to pick the bitrate) and creates a new file which is in the M2TS format.

Please note it won't copy more than 1 audio stream (at a time) and won't copy the subtitles but if there is only 1 audio stream then just import the M2TS file into AVStoDVD and it will not re-encode the audio (please note there may be an option you have to click to make it do that ... I can't remember now). As for the subtitles ... you can demux them from the MKV and as long as they are in the same folder as the M2TS file then the program will pick them up. I never tried to use it with more than one audio stream and one subtitle stream so I'm not sure if it handles multiple streams or not.

[_MrC_]

Task: I'm trying to convert a .MKV Blu-ray rip (1488 x 1080 with DTS 768 kbps audio) using AVS and I've encountered 2 problems:

A very good way to begin the troubleshooting is to post here the AVStoDVD project .log file. You find it in the default output folder.

First, the output has no audio. I read somewhere that I need to turn off "keep ac3/dts,mp2 dvd compliant audio" in the audio settings tab, is that wise? will the resulting file play OK in my DVD player? audio preferences are set to ac3 and 192 kbps.

Yes, if you are having issues with DTS stream, that's the usual solution. More details at FAQ/Audio/Q4.4

Second, my file comes with a .idx/.sub subtitles, it contains several languages. The subtitles file is detected automatically when I add the .mkv file on AVS, however the resulting file only had english subtitles, I don't know if it's because the mkv also contains english subtitles or because that's the default choice on AVS.
How can I add all the subtitles to the final file? is there a way to choose which ones to keep?
Also, does AVS detect subtitles embedded on mkv files properly (like CX2DVD) and does it add all of them to the resulting DVD? (you can choose subtitle streams with CX2DVD).

It is better to let AVStoDVD detect and extract the subtitles directly from the mkv. You must have MkvToolNix installed. More details at FAQ/Subtitles/Q5.2

Also: there seems to be no guide for AVS on this site or other famous video encoding forums and I've read some posts by the author where he refers to the help section within the program when someone asks what settings should he choose. I was wondering which filter should I use for downscaling my files, the default filter for that is spline64, however on the help section it says that that filter is for UPSCALING and spline16 is mentioned as a downscaling filter, is that a typo? anyway, which one do YOU think is the best filter for upscaling and specially for downscaling?

Thanks for pointing out that misalignement: I will fix that bug in the next release. For downscaling, due to the neutral effect, IMO Spline16 is better. BTW I would suggest to use your eyes to judge what it is better for you. Sometimes it is a matter of personal taste.



Bye

[FulciLives]

Please note that if you make a DVD with DTS that some DVD players will only be able to output the DTS as DTS and if you don't have a DTS capable audio system then no sound for you.

Some DVD players will downmix the DTS to stereo for the RCA stereo audio outputs but that is rare. Also I think that some DVD players can downmix it to stereo if using the digital (coaxial and/or optical) audio output but if you don't have a DTS capable receiver then you probably don't have a digital input on said receiver.

So just be careful that you are aware of this and have capable equipment before making a DTS only DVD Video.

[jovopros]

WOW that was really fast
I thank you both for your replies.

You're absolutely right _MrC_ I should've posted the log, the problem is I deleted it by mistake , but here's the log for a second attempt, here I deselected the "keep audio DVD compliant" option and I also changed the first subtitle language from english to spanish and then unchecked "auto subtitles setup" in "edit title" to see if that helped.
Results:
No audio, subtitles are still just in english (the idx/sub files contain 9 languages) and they're crazy pink and HUGE they don't even fit the screen you can only see part of them.

<06/09/2012 09:22:53 a.m.>
END VIDEO ENCODING OPERATIONS
A2DVideoSource: DirectShowSource
Created File: C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p.B luRay.X264-AMIABLE.m2v (4166.2 MB)
OUTPUT VIDEO INFO: MPEG-2 Video - 4912 kbps - 720x480 - DAR 1.333 - 23.976 fps (CFR) - Progressive (2:3 Pulldown) - 1:59:23 hours - 171759 frames
<>
<06/09/2012 09:22:53 a.m.>
START AUDIO ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
Wavi+Aften Parameters: "C:\Users\pc\AppData\Local\Temp\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane .1941.1080p.BluRay.X264-AMIABLE_1.avs" - | "C:\Program Files\AVStoDVD\Aften\aften.exe" -b 192 -pad 0 -dynrng 5 -bwfilter 0 - "C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p. BluRay.X264-AMIABLE_1.ac3"
<>
<06/09/2012 09:25:21 a.m.>
END AUDIO ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
A2DAudioSource: DirectShowSource
Created File: C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p.B luRay.X264-AMIABLE_1.ac3 (164 MB)
OUTPUT AUDIO INFO: AC3 - 192 kbps - CBR - 1 ch - 48000 Hz - 16 bit - 1:59:23 hours (0 ms delay)
<>
<06/09/2012 09:25:21 a.m.>
START SUBS ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
VSConv Parameters: -f sup -i "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\CODIFICAR\Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p.BluRay .x264-AMIABLE\Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p.BluRay.X264-AMIABLE.idx" -o "C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p. BluRay.X264-AMIABLE_1" -id 0
<>
<06/09/2012 09:25:29 a.m.>
END SUBS ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
Created File: C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p.B luRay.X264-AMIABLE_1.sup (10.79 MB)
<>
<06/09/2012 09:25:29 a.m.>
START DVD AUTHORING OPERATIONS
BatchMux Parameters: -arglist "C:\Users\pc\AppData\Local\Temp\DVD_3_BatchMux.ini "
BatchMux ini file:
-d "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\QUEMAR\DVD_3\VIDEO_TS"
-mxp "C:\Users\pc\AppData\Local\Temp\DVD_3_MuxMan.m xp"
-l "C:\Users\pc\AppData\Local\Temp\DVD_3_MuxMan.l og"
-muxman "C:\Program Files\AVStoDVD\MuxMan"
-prio LOW
-palette "C:\Users\pc\AppData\Local\Temp\DVD_3_Palette. txt"
-v "C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p. BluRay.X264-AMIABLE.m2v"
-vidmode 4:3
-a1 "C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p. BluRay.X264-AMIABLE_1.ac3"
-a1lang en
-s1 "C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p. BluRay.X264-AMIABLE_1.sup"
-s1lang es
-s1ext 1
-cellfr "C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p. BluRay.X264-AMIABLE_Chapters.txt"
-progfr "C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p. BluRay.X264-AMIABLE_Chapters.txt"
-chapfr "C:\Users\pc\Videos\DVD_3_Citizen.Kane.1941.1080p. BluRay.X264-AMIABLE_Chapters.txt"
<>
<06/09/2012 09:37:07 a.m.>
CHECK DVD SIZE
DVD Folder (actual) Size: 4434.8 MB
vs Estimated Size: 4450 MB -> 0.3% undersize
vs Assets Size: 4340.9 MB -> OK
<>
<06/09/2012 09:37:07 a.m.>
END DVD AUTHORING OPERATIONS
Created Folder: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\QUEMAR\DVD_3 (4434.8 MB)
<>
<06/09/2012 09:37:09 a.m.>
Log file created by AVStoDVD Release 2.4.2
<>

[_MrC_]It is better to let AVStoDVD detect and extract the subtitles directly from the mkv. You must have MkvToolNix installed. More details at
FAQ/Subtitles/Q5.2

The problem is that the MKV only contains one stream: english
subtitles, and comes with the separate idx/sub files that contain 9 other
streams. Oh, and yes mkvtoolnix is installed.


I just read the FAQ, regarding:
Subtitles, Q5.5, maybe that will help with the color but how do I get AVSTODVD to add the other subtitles, not just english, and at an appropriate size; it's funny that they turn out huge because the font in the idx/sub subtitles is somewhat small actually (when you play it on VLC).
Audio, Q4.2, will that help? or is that just for when the original audio is ac3?

Thank you for suggesting spline16, yes, I now that probably the best answer is "check them out for yourself" but the problem is that it obviously would take a LOT of time to convert my movie with different filters and then compare each one, that's why I wanted to know what other people were using... specially if it's the dude who created the program I'm using


Thank you

[jovopros]

I've had issues with AVStoDVD not correctly converting the audio. My suggestion is to make a new file with DVD compliant AC-3 audio (meaning keep the bitrate at or under 448kbps) before importing. The easiest and best way to do that (in my opinion) is to use a handy program called PS3 Muxer which will take your MKV and re-encode the audio from DTS to AC-3 (it allows you to pick the bitrate) and creates a new file which is in the M2TS format.

Please note it won't copy more than 1 audio stream (at a time) and won't copy the subtitles but if there is only 1 audio stream then just import the M2TS file into AVStoDVD and it will not re-encode the audio (please note there may be an option you have to click to make it do that ... I can't remember now). As for the subtitles ... you can demux them from the MKV and as long as they are in the same folder as the M2TS file then the program will pick them up. I never tried to use it with more than one audio stream and one subtitle stream so I'm not sure if it handles multiple streams or not.

OK, man, I will try that program
By the way, how do I demux the subtitles?

Thank you

[FulciLives]

Well the author of DVDtoAVS said above that it is best to leave the subtitles in the MKV so a work around would be:

1.) Use PS3 Muxer to re-encode the audio giving you a M2TS with the video and audio in AC-3
2.) Use mkvmerge GUI to make a new MKV

Regarding the 2nd step. You can import the M2TS and pull the video and audio out of that. You can also load the original MKV and pull the subtitles out of that. If you have additional subtitles not in the original MKV you can pull those in as well. So in the end you have a new MKV that has the same video, with already re-encoded DVD compliant AC-3 audio and all your subtitles.

mkvmerge GUI comes with mkvtoolnix

[FulciLives]

MKVExtractGUI-2 is a good tool for demuxing a MKV (should have added that before but in my explanation above you don't have to use this but it is good to install and have)

[jovopros]

Well the author of DVDtoAVS said above that it is best to leave the subtitles in the MKV so a work around would be:

1.) Use PS3 Muxer to re-encode the audio giving you a M2TS with the video and audio in AC-3
2.) Use mkvmerge GUI to make a new MKV

Regarding the 2nd step. You can import the M2TS and pull the video and audio out of that. You can also load the original MKV and pull the subtitles out of that. If you have additional subtitles not in the original MKV you can pull those in as well. So in the end you have a new MKV that has the same video, with already re-encoded DVD compliant AC-3 audio and all your subtitles.

mkvmerge GUI comes with mkvtoolnix

Thank you, this seems like a very good solution
The problem with this particular file as I mentioned is that AVSTODVD seems to be detecting only the subtitle embedded on the MKV file and not the other subtitles. So at least for situations like this I guess I'll try the method that you mention.

[jovopros]

MKVExtractGUI-2 is a good tool for demuxing a MKV (should have added that before but in my explanation above you don't have to use this but it is good to install and have)

I'll check it out too. Thanks man, I had never worked with mkv files before, I would just add it to convertxtodvd and that's it hehe

[FulciLives]

AVStoDVD might take a bit more work to use than ConvertXtoDVD but the quality is much better. My problem with ConvertXtoDVD is that it uses ffmpeg for MPEG-2 DVD video and ffmpeg just sucks at MPEG-2 DVD video. AVStoDVD uses HCenc and that is probably the finest MPEG-2 converter (next to CCE and the difference in quality output is minor).

[jovopros]

MKVExtractGUI-2 is a good tool for demuxing a MKV (should have added that before but in my explanation above you don't have to use this but it is good to install and have)

Thank you for suggesting this tool, I tried to add another mkv file to avstodvd but for some reason it said there was an error, tried it with mkvmerge and the same thing happened, but with mkvextract everything went fine and it extracted the subtitles to srt. I haven't been able to convert an mkv to dvd with audio yet but at least I'm getting closer to having a movie with subtitles
I'll try ps3muxer now.



By the way guys, I installed the newest version of mkvtoolnix, I had the one that comes with the avstodvd installer, will that cause any conflict with avstodvd?

[jovopros]

AVStoDVD might take a bit more work to use than ConvertXtoDVD but the quality is much better. My problem with ConvertXtoDVD is that it uses ffmpeg for MPEG-2 DVD video and ffmpeg just sucks at MPEG-2 DVD video. AVStoDVD uses HCenc and that is probably the finest MPEG-2 converter (next to CCE and the difference in quality output is minor).

Oh yeah, man, HC rules personally I didn't see any difference between that an CCE, and I prefer free software a million times better than stuff you have to pay for (specially when they ask like 1,000 bucks for it, like with that one ). I use HC with dvdrebuilder, I don't know why some people say it's somewhat slow, I guess they run it in really old computers or something...

[jovopros]

I just tried to convert an .mkv file with ac3 audio but, again, I get no sound so it's not just DTS that's causing trouble.

Here's the log:

<08/09/2012 03:39:40 a.m.>
START PROCESS
<>
<08/09/2012 03:39:40 a.m.>
PROJECT SETTINGS
DVD Video Standard: NTSC
DVD Titles number: 1
DVD Size: 4449/4450 MB (100%)
DVD Output Setup: DVD Folder
DVD Label: DVD
DVD Menu: No Menu
Output Folder: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\QUEMAR
Delete Temp Process Files: Yes
Delete Working Files: Yes
Edit Command Parameters: No
Post Process Task: Show Progress Status window
PREFERENCES
MultiThread: 1
AVS Source Filter: A2DSource
AVS UpSize/DownSize Filter: Lanczos4Resize/Spline16Resize
PAL SpeedUp: 0
Video Resolution: 0
Video BitRate Min: 2500
Video BitRate Level 1: 6500
Video Profile Level 2: 4500
Video BitRate Max: 8500
Keep DVD Compliant Video: 1
AC3 Audio Encoder: 0
Force FFmpeg for Long Audio: 1
DVD Audio Format: 0
DVD Audio BitRate: 192
Keep DVD Compliant Audio: 1
Normalize Audio: 0
Auto Delay Audio: 1
DVD Audio Language (Primary): EN - English
DVD Audio Language (Secondary): EN - English
DVD Subs Language (Primary): EN - English
DVD Subs Language (Secondary): ES - Spanish
DVD Subs Font: Tahoma 18pt (255,255,0)
Chapters Interval: 5
Use Source Chapters: 1
DVD Burning Drive: D: ATAPI iHAS122 ZL0C
DVD Burning Speed: 4x
Auto Erase DVD RW: 1
Save Log file: 1
Display errors messages: 1
Unload ActiveMovie library: 0
Adjust ffdshow mixer: 1
Save General Settings: 0
<>
<08/09/2012 03:39:40 a.m.>
TITLE 1 SOURCE FILES
Video: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\CODIFICAR\Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrated.1995 .720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.mkv
Info: AVC - 7741 kbps - 1280x694 - DAR 1.844 - 23.976 fps (CFR) - Progressive - 1:52:02 hours - 161182 frames
Audio 1: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\CODIFICAR\Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrated.1995 .720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.mkv
Info: AC3 - 640 kbps - CBR - 6 ch - 48000 Hz - 16 bit - 1:52:02 hours (0 ms delay) - Internal
Subs 1: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\CODIFICAR\Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrated.1995 .720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_track3_eng.srt
Subs 2: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\CODIFICAR\Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrated.1995 .720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_track5_spa.srt
[MediaInfoLib - v0.7.50]
<>
<08/09/2012 03:39:40 a.m.>
AVISYNTH SCRIPT
Import("C:\Program Files\AVStoDVD\Lib\A2DSource.avsi")
Video = A2DVideoSource("C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\CODIFICAR\Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrated.1995 .720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.mkv", CacheFolder="C:\Users\pc\Desktop", FrameRate=23.976, VFR=false)
Audio = A2DAudioSource("C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\CODIFICAR\Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrated.1995 .720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.mkv", CacheFolder="C:\Users\pc\Desktop")
Video = Video.ConvertToYV12
#Using DGPulldown/HCenc to upsize FPS
Video = Video.AddBorders(0,13,0,13)
Video = Video.Spline16Resize(720,480)
AudioDub(Video, Audio)
<>
<08/09/2012 03:39:40 a.m.>
START VIDEO ENCODING OPERATIONS
Encoding Profile: HCenc VBR 1-pass
Target Video FileSize: 3960.7 MB
HCenc Parameters: -ini "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.HCenc.ini"
HCenc ini file:
*INFILE C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrate d.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_1.avs
*AVSRELOAD
*OUTFILE C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrate d.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.m2v
*LOGFILE C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrate d.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.HCenc.log
*MAXBITRATE 9000
*1PASS
*BITRATE 4942
*PROFILE BEST
*ASPECT 16:9
*PROGRESSIVE
*TFF
*PULLDOWN
*BIAS 50
*DC_PREC 9
*MATRIX MPEG
*AQ 1
*LUMGAIN 1
*SMP
*PRIORITY IDLE
*WAIT 2
<>
<08/09/2012 04:59:35 a.m.>
END VIDEO ENCODING OPERATIONS
A2DVideoSource: DirectShowSource
Created File: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrate d.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.m2v (3940.3 MB)
OUTPUT VIDEO INFO: MPEG-2 Video - 4950 kbps - 720x480 - DAR 1.778 - 23.976 fps (CFR) - Progressive (2:3 Pulldown) - 1:52:02 hours - 161179 frames
<>
<08/09/2012 04:59:36 a.m.>
START AUDIO ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
Wavi+Aften Parameters: "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_1.avs" - | "C:\Program Files\AVStoDVD\Aften\aften.exe" -b 448 -pad 0 -dynrng 5 -bwfilter 0 - "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_1.ac3"
<>
<08/09/2012 05:02:08 a.m.>
END AUDIO ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
A2DAudioSource: DirectShowSource
Created File: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrate d.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_1.ac3 (359 MB)
OUTPUT AUDIO INFO: AC3 - 448 kbps - CBR - 6 ch - 48000 Hz - 16 bit - 1:52:02 hours (0 ms delay)
<>
<08/09/2012 05:02:10 a.m.>
START SUBS ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
ANSI format conversion routine applied
SRT fixing routine applied (131 lines fixed)
SubtitleCreator Parameters: "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.srt" -p4 -i"C:\Program Files\AVStoDVD\SubtitleCreator\Examples\VTS_01_1.I FO"
<>
<08/09/2012 05:02:23 a.m.>
END SUBS ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
Created File: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrate d.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_1.sup (2.04 MB)
<>
<08/09/2012 05:02:23 a.m.>
START SUBS ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 2)
ANSI format conversion routine applied
SRT fixing routine applied (0 lines fixed)
SubtitleCreator Parameters: "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.srt" -p4 -i"C:\Program Files\AVStoDVD\SubtitleCreator\Examples\VTS_01_1.I FO"
<>
<08/09/2012 05:02:30 a.m.>
END SUBS ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 2)
Created File: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrate d.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_2.sup (1.72 MB)
<>
<08/09/2012 05:02:30 a.m.>
START DVD AUTHORING OPERATIONS
BatchMux Parameters: -arglist "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_BatchMux.ini"
BatchMux ini file:
-d "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\QUEMAR\DVD_0\VIDEO_TS"
-mxp "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_MuxMan.mxp"
-l "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_MuxMan.log"
-muxman "C:\Program Files\AVStoDVD\MuxMan"
-prio LOW
-palette "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Palette.txt"
-v "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP.m2v"
-vidmode LB
-a1 "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_1.ac3"
-a1lang en
-s1 "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_1.sup"
-s1lang en
-s1ext 1
-s2 "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_2.sup"
-s2lang es
-s2ext 1
-cellfr "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_Chapters.txt"
-progfr "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_Chapters.txt"
-chapfr "C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrat ed.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_Chapters.txt"
<>
<08/09/2012 05:10:59 a.m.>
CHECK DVD SIZE
DVD Folder (actual) Size: 4395.4 MB
vs Estimated Size: 4449 MB -> 1.2% undersize
vs Assets Size: 4303.1 MB -> OK
<>
<08/09/2012 05:10:59 a.m.>
END DVD AUTHORING OPERATIONS
Created Folder: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\- QUEMAR O COMPRIMIR\QUEMAR\DVD_0 (4395.4 MB)
<>
<08/09/2012 05:11:05 a.m.>
Log file created by AVStoDVD Release 2.4.2
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Should I leave the "keep audio dvd compliant" option ticked off always? or what should I do? does this problem have to do with "Audio Q4.2" in the help section?

If everything fails, is there another program to convert mkv files to DVD that uses HCenc?


Thanks

[_MrC_]

@jovopros

but the audio has been converted successfully... from the log file:

END AUDIO ENCODING OPERATIONS (Track 1)
A2DAudioSource: DirectShowSource
Created File: C:\Users\pc\Desktop\DVD_0_Leaving.Las.Vegas.Unrate d.1995.720p.BluRay.x264-EbP_1.ac3 (359 MB)
OUTPUT AUDIO INFO: AC3 - 448 kbps - CBR - 6 ch - 48000 Hz - 16 bit - 1:52:02 hours (0 ms delay)

Muxman has not refused it, so the audio track should be there. Have you tried to burn a DVD (RW to try) and read it with an external DVD player?



Bye

[jovopros]

Muxman has not refused it, so the audio track should be there. Have you tried to burn a DVD (RW to try) and read it with an external DVD player?



Bye

No, I didn't burn the files, I don't have a DVD-RW at hand, but I opened the files with VLC and Windows Media Player, and there was no audio. I download DVD5s and DVD9s by the hundreds and I never had a single DVD which audio didn't play in either of them. Could you please explain to me what would the difference be in this case? as I said, my computer handles VOB files properly, always, and I can play different types of audio on VLC including AC3 and DTS.

Oh, I should've mentioned that I left AVSTODVD converting the files and when I came back it was working on the audio, there was this cmd screen (I don't know for how long it had been opened of course) and it said something like "progress 0 %" and after a few seconds it just closed. The percentage didn't change at all.

Thank you

[FulciLives]

According to that last LOG that you posted the audio WAS converted.

So if you did convert to AC-3 first you did one of two things wrong:

1.) The audio wasn't DVD compliant AC-3 audio. How can this happen? Well PS3 Muxer allows you to set the bitrate to 640kbps but that is NOT compliant for DVD. For DVD you have to set it at 448kbps or lower (I think the lowest is 192kbps). So it is possible you set it to 640kbps which would force AVStoDVD to re-encode.

2.) The audio was DVD compliant AC-3 but you forgot to checkmark the option in AVStoDVD to NOT re-encode. I just encoded a sample myself and it did not re-encode (I can tell from the LOG it created) and this is how I did the audio:



You have to make sure you checkmark the option: Audio Direct Stream Copy

So in conclusion:

AVStoDVD cannot properly encode audio on my machine nor does it seem on your machine. So you converted to AC-3 first so it would not re-encode. However it did re-encode for one of the two reasons I gave above. The result was bad audio.

The real question is why the audio never seems to work with this program when using Windows 7 but at least the work around option WILL work, you just did it wrong somehow.

[jovopros]

The real question is why the audio never seems to work with this program when using Windows 7 but at least the work around option WILL work, you just did it wrong somehow.

Oh, no, no, Fulci, I didn't use PS3 muxer for this file, the mkv file already included ac3 audio instead of DTS, like the original file that caused me to open this thread. I tried with this different movie with ac3 audio to see if AVS would at least handle this audio format, but at least in this case it didn't, so, yes, as you mention so far it looks AVS cannot encode audio properly, at least in both of our computers :S

By the way, thank you for mentioning the option that I would have to uncheck in AVS to tell it not to encode the audio, since the last time you didn't recall which one it was and I proably would've had a hard time finding it.

[FulciLives]

If the MKV had AC-3 audio then chances are it was 640kbps AC-3 and that is why AVStoDVD did the conversion (since again that bitrate is not DVD compliant).

If you have or grab MediaInfo you can check the MKV and it will tell you the bitrate of the audio, etc.

Most HD MKV files either have DTS audio or AC-3 audio and when the audio is AC-3 then it is almost always 640kbps since that is the highest bitrate for AC-3 and compliant for blu-ray players and media players etc. (it is only DVD that can't handle that high rate).

[jovopros]

If the MKV had AC-3 audio then chances are it was 640kbps AC-3 and that is why AVStoDVD did the conversion (since again that bitrate is not DVD compliant).

If you have or grab MediaInfo you can check the MKV and it will tell you the bitrate of the audio, etc.

Most HD MKV files either have DTS audio or AC-3 audio and when the audio is AC-3 then it is almost always 640kbps since that is the highest bitrate for AC-3 and compliant for blu-ray players and media players etc. (it is only DVD that can't handle that high rate).

Yes, it was 640 kbps, AVS tells you that info and I also saw that when using VLC. I decided to add the mkv directly to find out if AVS was capable of converting ac3 audio, but of course the end result was the same as when trying to convert DTS audio. Now I know.

Guess I'll have to find another program that uses HCenc and handles audio files properly. Or extract and convert the audio and also the subtitles and then add the new files to AVStoDVD... which doesn't make much sense I guess why would I use this type of program when I'm forced to do half the process with other tools anyway

[FulciLives]

Guess I'll have to find another program that uses HCenc and handles audio files properly. Or extract and convert the audio and also the subtitles and then add the new files to AVS... which doesn't make much sense I guess why would I use it when I'm forced to do half the process with other tools anyway

Yes I understand your frustration. While I've not had subtitle issues (although my use of movies with subtitles is limited) I have had the audio issue.

However if you can deal with the "prep" work then the program is a very nice program which will essentially handle the rest of the process for you. Remember without it you'll have to make your own AviSynth script and if you then import that into HCenc you have to set all the settings in that program so I guess what I am saying is that despite the "prep" work needed on the audio and maybe the subtitles etc. the program AVStoDVD still helps and does wonders in other areas.

Good Luck !!!

[_MrC_]

@jovopros

I had suggested to burn the DVD because the audio was de facto encoded and accepted by Muxman, so in your case (opposite to Fulci's, I guess) it should not be an AC3 codecs/mixer issue. I have had users (long ago) reporting no audio with VLC or MPC, but having burned the DVD, everything was there.

Another try you can do is to use the Preview Clip function (the magnifier glass icon). If you can hear the audio in the AVStoDVD output player, then the resulting DVD should be fine as well.

Let me know



Bye

[jovopros]

@jovopros

I had suggested to burn the DVD because the audio was de facto encoded and accepted by Muxman, so in your case (opposite to Fulci's, I guess) it should not be an AC3 codecs/mixer issue. I have had users (long ago) reporting no audio with VLC or MPC, but having burned the DVD, everything was there.

Another try you can do is to use the Preview Clip function (the magnifier glass icon). If you can hear the audio in the AVStoDVD output player, then the resulting DVD should be fine as well.

Let me know



Bye

I see, I'll see if I can get a DVD-RW today and I'll burn some test DVDs

HEHEHE I clicked the "preview option and a new window opens but then this appears:

---------------------------
AVStoDVD
---------------------------
Error 445

Object doesn't support this action
---------------------------
Aceptar
---------------------------


I closed the warning message and tried to play it anyway but now this appears:

---------------------------
AVStoDVD
---------------------------
Run-time error '445':
Object doesn't support this action
---------------------------
Aceptar
---------------------------




And then AVS closes



If I choose ffmpeg+aften instead of wavi+aften will that help?

[_MrC_]

Uh-oh the Preview Clip uses directly the win directshow library (quartz.dll). That error could be a signal that there is a directshow codecs configuration issue. BTW you were able to complete the audio encoding step, so I stiil suggest to burn a DVD-RW.

Yes, if you want you can play with different audio encoders. To speed up testing, use a small video clip.



Bye

[jovopros]

Uh-oh the Preview Clip uses directly the win directshow library (quartz.dll). That error could be a signal that there is a directshow codecs configuration issue. BTW you were able to complete the audio encoding step, so I stiil suggest to burn a DVD-RW.

Yes, if you want you can play with different audio encoders. To speed up testing, use a small video clip.



Bye

Damn! when a dude who makes programs answers you with an "Uh-oh", I worry
I'm sorry but, how do I fix that? the directshow thing. Could you please tell me if I need to install o re-install something or what to check for?

Thanks!

[_MrC_]

For the Preview Clip issue, the short (lucky) path, assuming you have ffdshow installed:

- see AVStoDVD FAQ/GUI/Q2.3

the long (reset) path:

- uninstall AVStoDVD
- uninstall AviSynth
- uninstall every audio and video codecs/splitters/filters/players you have previously installed on your system
- install last release of Microsoft DirectX for your OS
- install only ffdshow as audio/video codecs suite
- make sure that ffdshow is configured like FAQ/GUI/Q2.3
- install AVStoDVD (and included AviSynth and Haali)

Let me know



Bye

[jovopros]

For the Preview Clip issue, the short (lucky) path, assuming you have ffdshow installed:

- see AVStoDVD FAQ/GUI/Q2.3

the long (reset) path:

- uninstall AVStoDVD
- uninstall AviSynth
- uninstall every audio and video codecs/splitters/filters/players you have previously installed on your system
- install last release of Microsoft DirectX for your OS
- install only ffdshow as audio/video codecs suite
- make sure that ffdshow is configured like FAQ/GUI/Q2.3
- install AVStoDVD (and included AviSynth and Haali)

Let me know



Bye

OK done, I did everything, in the end I had to open both the video and audio configuration of ffdshow and enable the option that you indicate on the FAQ, but now I have a preview with audio and video
Now let's see if something changed and I can get my final files to have audio

THANK YOU for your instructions man

[jovopros]

Well I'll be damned! I went to have some breakfast and just to see what would happen I left the same file encoding, the one from the last log I posted, and guess what? AUDIO!!! the settings are the same, but something was obviously interfering I don't know if it was VLC (I haven't re-installed it yet) or something else.

The only thing I noticed is that the audio is louder on the original mkv file, not like insanely louder but noticeably louder, is that something I should be concerned about guys? the original file, the mkv, had ac3 audio 6 ch 640 kbps the resulting DVD file is ac3 6 ch 448 kbps.
Regarding this audio level dropdown: does that indicate that the quality may be somehow compromised? do I need to adjust something on the program that handles the audio conversion?
And, just one more question (sorry), it's ac3 at 448 kbps and 5.1 (6) channels a wise setup?, or should I be converting to 2 channels at that same rate? or maybe at a lower bitrate?. What sort of setting would YOU use in this type of encoding?

THANK YOU SO MUCH


P.S. I added the log file just in case that helps

[_MrC_]

Well, no magic wand, just some experience... a big reset can do miracles

AC3 5.1 @448 is ok

If the audio is louder you can use the 'Amplify Audio' option in 'Edit Title'/'AviSynth'. Just insert a negative value to lower.



Bye

[jovopros]

Well, no magic wand, just some experience... a big reset can do miracles

AC3 5.1 @448 is ok

Yep, my magic wand doesn't solve software related issues, apparently

So 448 is OK?, right on, thanks

If the audio is louder you can use the 'Amplify Audio' option in 'Edit Title'/'AviSynth'. Just insert a negative value to lower.



Bye

No, I think I might have not explained my situation correctly, the resulting audio is actually lower than the original: the VOB files are softer than the mkv. What I'm worried about is that the dynamic might have been changed or destroyed, that is, that the program just "normalized" the audio instead of applying something like "ReplayGain", which could just lower the volume of an audio file without changing the dynamic.

P.S. I don't have the "normalize audio" option checked, of course.