DVD -> Divx/Xvid Low Sound

[Madz]

I've gone any converted some DVD's into Xvid & Divx5. Used both AutoGK & EasyDivx; encoding success w/ either. Video looks great but I had no sound until I installed AC3Filter. Problem is that the sound is SO low even w/ the system volume cranked upto the max. Played back using the Divx Player & Winamp. Same w/ both. Might it better to set AutoGK to MP3 audio instead (as I like this one better since it can do Xvid)? I don't have a standalone that can play them, I just want to keep the avi's on my computer.

[flaninacupboard]

if you're never playing them on a surround sound system then stereo MP3 won't hurt anyone

[Hardcoreruss]

Are you re-encoding a dvd which you created from an avi ?

[Madz]

Are you re-encoding a dvd which you created from an avi ?

No, I made avi's from commercial DVD's (movies). Just seems that AC3 audio is way too low.

[Madz]

Oh well, I guess I find that DVD's that have only a 5.1 soundtrack end up w/ very low AC3 sound after encoding; 2.0 soundtracks are fine. So, I guess I'll stick w/ MP3 for the former & AC3 for latter. *shrug*

[iantri]

It sounds low because AC3 has a very large dynamic range -- quiet sounds can be quiet and loud sounds can be loud. This is good. It is great in a theatre, but it is not, however, optimal for listening to when in a noisy environment with cheap equipment (i.e. a house, over PC speakers)

DVD players have an option to do "dynamic range compression" (yours is probably set to on), this makes the quiet sounds and the loud sounds not so different in range, but the original file is preserved.

Open the AC3 filter control panel and tick the "Use DRC" option. This will cause AC3 Filter to do dynamic range compression for you, so you get the desired sound.

[Madz]

I checked, AC3Filter already had that box checked by default. Would it help to set the Preset box under Output to "LFE boost" or "loud?"

[flaninacupboard]

I checked, AC3Filter already had that box checked by default. Would it help to set the Preset box under Output to "LFE boost" or "loud?"

LFE boost just makes bass louder, "loud" makes bass and treble louder. there should be a control, "gain" or "master gain" i had those turned up to about 150% on a 2 channel set up.