TMPGenc DVD Author - No sound...

[nanuk2]

I just started trying DVD authoring with my new pioneer dvr-106 , and a trial version of tmpgenc dvd author. I recorded a couple tv shows at dvd quality with a radeon 7500 all-in-wonder.

The files have picture and sound before authoring, and while in the program. When they're done burning, the menu and video works in my standalone player, but I get no sound. I used the same source files with Ulead MovieMaker2 last night, and those came out correctly. Trouble is moviemaker is at least 4-5X slower than dvd author for me.

Anyone have an idea why dvd author wouldn't be spitting out sound?

[Baldrick]

Do you get any sound if you play the tmpgenc dvd author-ed dvd on your computer?

Is it mpeg/mp2/mpa audio? (when you click add file in tmpgenc dvd author it says what audio format it is)

[nanuk2]

I'm not at home right now, so i can't try listening to it, but I did look up the audio type.

It says MPEG1-Layer2, 48000khz stereo, 224kbps

[Baldrick]

In your standalone dvd player settings you may have to select MPEG Out -> MPEG to PCM under the Audio options(or something similiar, check the manual for audio options) .

If you have no such options you must convert the mpeg layer2 audio to either pcm(wav audio) or ac3.

[nanuk2]

Ok, good deal. Any thoughts on the easiest program to use for doing that? Or is it something I can do right from DVD Author?

[overloaded_ide]

. Trouble is moviemaker is at least 4-5X slower than dvd author for me.
Anyone have an idea why dvd author wouldn't be spitting out sound?

Hmm, just a geuss but are you using the MMC 7.5 that came with the ATI card Or the preset DVD templates??

My best guess is that you are not capturing DVD compliant audio. MMC 7.5 that came with your card has a max setting of 44,100 but it should be 48,000 and I am geussing that's the problem. You can upgrade free from the ATI site. I use MMC 7.7 and all works perfect for me. There are higher ones like 8.6 and such but I never tried them and I heard one is buggy.

Tmpgenc DVD author does not actaully re-encode your files, you need to give it compliant files to begin with.

My geuss is Movie maker takes so much longer because it IS re-encoding your files, and when it re-encodes it fixes the audio problem by converting it to 48,000 like it should be. Then the DVD has audio because the audio file is correct.

As far as fixing those you already captured I have no suggestions to offer other than use what works on them, maybe finish them off with Movie Maker if it's working. Just take the time. Maybe set it to run while your sleeping

As for future captures if that is the problem.
352x480, mpeg2, 48,000 16bit stereo audio. Leave it interlaced.
I use various bit rates, most the time between 4,000 and 6,000 depending how much time I want on one disk.
Remember, TV captures or VHS captures are not DVD quality to begin with, so no need to use the max settings for DVD. Your source is about 352x480 (less probably) so that's the setting for the best quality for the source.

I use Tmpgenc DVD author and have never had a problem. Also use the burner built in the program, it works great. If it came bundle with a burner you should check for newer version if you haven't already. They update/upgrade fairly often.

If you look and see your MMC for the ATI card is 7.5 then look around here and maybe go to lordsmurf.com and see what the most recomended version is and get it. I am fairly certian that's your problem.

Like I say I am using 7.7 and it works great for me, but I hear some of the higher versions may have more features. I beleave if it ain't broke don't fix it, and mine ain't broke now so I am happy enough to leave it alone
I think yours is broke, so when you fix it you might as well get the best And that might not be the newest though!

[Baldrick]

overloaded_ide: "It says MPEG1-Layer2, 48000khz stereo, 224kbps"....that sounds like 48000 khz audio...

[nanuk2]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. After reading baldrick's first reply, I went digging around dvd author's help file, and found track settings that let me re-encode the audio to PCM during the "output" stage.
The pleasantly surprising thing was that it didn't take any longer to output than it did before.

As far as "idle's" comments, I am running mmc 7.5 right now (used to be on 8.1, but that's another story). Either way, all is well with the world. Even with re-encoding to pcm, DVD Author is still easily 5x faster than moviemaker2 for me. Not sure why the huge diff, but it's there.

At any rate, all is well with the world again. Everything burns correctly now, after applying fix from above.