Importing files with AC3 sound into editing software

[jeanpave]

I noticed that some of the most complex editing programs, like Sony Vegas and Adobe Premiere Pro, cannot import the audio from those files that have AC3 sound. In particular, I am talking about importing VOB files. (By the way, Vegas can even render as AC3, so what the hell?...) So, are additional codecs, or activations, required to be able to fully import such files in these programs, or should I forget the whole thing? Thanks in advance.

[guns1inger]

Vegas can inport AC3 audio, including up to 5.1. It is designed to take VOBs from cameras, rather than from commercial DVDs, but it can be done. For Vegas Pro 8 you have to drag the files from the explorer window to the timeline, and not import them through File->Import

[jeanpave]

When I get a chance, I'll try Vegas 8, or 9, the way you said. Thanks. I am currently using version 5, and the dragging-from-Windows-Explorer method doesn't work, either. I tried it, just now. This incompatibility issue is kind of weird, because I've even activated plug-ins for AC3( and MP3), so I have no idea why it can't import it if it can render it.

[aedipuss]

vegas 5 is very old, there are lots of current formats it won't handle well. ac3 is a highly compressed final format, not one that is easily edited. it's just a recently added feature that you are able to edit ac3 in vegas. it would still prefer a wav......

[guns1inger]

In the older versions of Vegas the AC3 plugin for purely for output only. More recent versions added basic support for importing and editing because of DVD based video cameras, but these generally produce very simple VOB structures with either 2 or 5.1 AC3. Vegas expects simple VOB structures for input, and will crash or choke on more complex files. If you are not coming from a DVD based video camera then I would suggest you use something like DVD Shrink to create the simplest VOBs to you can - 1 video track, 1 audio track - and use those in Vegas.

[jeanpave]

I see. Thanks, Guns1inger and Aedipuss. Guns1inger: I suppose I can use CloneDVD, too - for the same purpose as DVD Shrink. Right? (I already have CloneDVD.) But the thing is, whether I process the respective DVD title through CloneDVD / DVD Shrink or not, it still keeps the AC3 soundtrack, no? And, when I import the processed VOB into Vegas, I'll still only see the video track, like up to now. Or does DVD Shrink have a special function to convert the audio to PCM or MPA?

[guns1inger]

If you are going to use Vegas 5 then yes, you will have to convert your audio first. I was talking about Vegas Pro 8 or later, which will accept AC3 audio. You could also try VOB2MPG, and use the MPG file instead. Vegas may be happier with that than a VOB container.

[jeanpave]

Thanks again, Guns1inger. Do you also happen to know why Adobe Premiere doesn't accept AC3 audio? (Everybody was praising this program, so I thought I'd give it a try, even though I already have Sony Vegas. But I actually think Vegas is better, at the moment. Anyway, yeah, is there any way to make it accept AC3?)

[guns1inger]

I haven't used Premiere in years because I could never get it running stable enough, whereas Vegas I have to go out of my way to break

[aedipuss]

if you read through this thread, it gives a hack to allow mpeg-2's with ac-3 audio into pp.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/importing-ac3-into-premiere-pro-t299714.html

[jeanpave]

I haven't used Premiere in years because I could never get it running stable enough, whereas Vegas I have to go out of my way to break

I hear you. I really like using Vegas, too. The variety of rendering options, especially, leaves me speechless.

if you read through this thread, it gives a hack to allow mpeg-2's with ac-3 audio into pp.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/importing-ac3-into-premiere-pro-t299714.html

Thank you very much, Aedipuss. I had no idea it was so simple.