VCDs have low sound levels

[Morloc]

Hi, when I rip DVDs and burn to VCDs using SmartRipper, DVD2AVI, TMPGEnc, VCDEasy and Nero, I end up with VCDs that play through my standalone DVD player at a sound level that is comparable to other sources connected to my TV.

However, when I make VCDs for friends, they complain that the sound levels are too low. This must be a common problem, as I read in a guide, that the author always clicks on the audio tab in TMPGEnc, goes into Audio Edit > Setting, clicks on Change Volume and changes the default 100% to 200%. So I tried this. You have to make sure that the "use Audio Edit" box stays checked. I re-encoded again (we all know how long this takes!). The resulting VCD had no noticeable change in sound level.

I use the tooLame audio codec in TMPGEnc and I did not click the 'Normalize' button next to the Change Volume setting.

I read in another forum here that you can increase the volume level by selecting Normalize in DVD2AVI, but haven't tried this yet.

I'd like to figure out why changing volume levels in TMPGEnc doesn't work. Any suggestions appreciated.

Morloc

[davemcg37]

try upping the audio bitrate in tmpgenc to 224kb/s

[dick_p_t]

In DVD2AVI go into the the AUDIO menu and choose NORMALIZE.
Make sure it is Checked(ticked) and at 100%.

No go into the AUDIO menu and go to DOLBY DIGITAL>DYNAMIC RANGE CONTROLL> and set it to NORMAL (or HIGH if you want it compressed more).

now save the project file as normal them encode with TMPGEnc.

This will solve your low volume troubbles.

[sporlan]

Use a program like Audio Calalyst and normalize the sound file to 95%
I find most dvds I have done the sound level is never more than 30%
it only takes a few minutes to normalize like this or you can use normalize with dvd to avi but it takes alot longer.

[dick_p_t]

Audio Calalyst....... is that the one with the xing mp3 encoder?
ha ha ha h aha ha ha ha

We all owe a lot to Xing as they are the people resposable for out DVD decrypiing fun thers days. The stupid idiots at Xing forgot to protect the DVD Keys in ther software and someone found them, and because of this Xing lost there MPEG-2 licence and are never aloud to have one again.

but anyway back to the subject, Xing is the shittest encoder ever, avoid at all costs, use Rasor Lame or tooLame.

for better normalising use BeSweet

[Morloc]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'm going to first try normalizing in DVD2AVI, if that doesn't work, I'll try upping the bitrate in TMPG (although I don't understand how this will affect volume). I don't have either Audio Catalyst or BeSweet, so I'll save those as last resorts. As for the last post regarding encoders, I was successfully using tooLame, but lately it's crashing a couple of hours into the project, requiring me to start over. I don't know what's going on with that, but I have a lot of experimenting to do.....

Morloc

[biggantdogg]

You're right Morloc, upping the sound bitrate won't do anything for volume.
I recommend following what dick_p_t said

[davemcg37]

when i encode a vcd using tmpgenc i always drop the bitrate from 224kb/s to 128kb/s- that way i can up the video bitrate to give me a better quality film (i make 1 disc vcd's). when i do this the volume of the finished product is always lower than normal, so it seems logical to up the bitrate to increase volume.

[dick_p_t]

Dave, all upping the bitrate will do is increase the quality. It WILL NOT affect tghe volume.

If you don't know what your talking about, don't say anything.
All you will do is confuse other people.

[davemcg37]

well dick all i can say is try it out for yourself. it definitely drops the volume level on my finished vcds. as for telling other people a load of rubbish all i can do is pass on what works for myself- thats what this site is all about, not launching into personal attacks on other users which is what you seem to like doing!