Dvd Format Questions

[Cornucopia]

Unless you ALREADY KNOW the reason for using 32k/12bit/4ch, you should NEVER use it. DVD-Video requires 48k, 16bit, 1 or 2ch.

The only way to truly know if the audio was mixed (I'm assuming here MONO from 2 channels) is via listening and through a Lissajious display meter. If it looks much like a single line - it's mixed. If it looks like random roundish squigglies, the 2 channels are still separated. Assuming it to be stereo/2channel is probably the safest bet.

Scott

[Winsordawson]

Unless you ALREADY KNOW the reason for using 32k/12bit/4ch, you should NEVER use it. DVD-Video requires 48k, 16bit, 1 or 2ch.

The only way to truly know if the audio was mixed (I'm assuming here MONO from 2 channels) is via listening and through a Lissajious display meter. If it looks much like a single line - it's mixed. If it looks like random roundish squigglies, the 2 channels are still separated. Assuming it to be stereo/2channel is probably the safest bet.

Scott

My S-VHS machine and video editor on my computer display a volume level on either the left or right audio but not both. I assume it has to be the left, which would indicate mono, although the video editor told me he recalls mixing the channels. Is this enough evidence? I may download the free trial of Spectre.

Thanks again.

[Cornucopia]

If I take a mono (1 channel) source and alternate panning it to the Left and Right, upon playback it will Ping-pong ONLY the left and right channels. Does that mean it's mixed? Does that mean it's stereo? Depends upon my intent with the content...

If you try recording both channels, and one time you only get material showing up on the LEFT, but then a second time with the same material gets it showing up only on the RIGHT - YOU'VE GOT BAD EQUIPMENT. Could be software, could be hardware. Could be, but hopefully isn't PEBCAK error.

You have to go into troubleshooting mode. Check EACH link in the chain, isolating and A/B'ing it to verify that it consistently works perfectly. Use a known good source, try to replicate a known good output. Most likely, you'll find the weak link and be able to fix it...

Scott

[Winsordawson]

If I take a mono (1 channel) source and alternate panning it to the Left and Right, upon playback it will Ping-pong ONLY the left and right channels. Does that mean it's mixed? Does that mean it's stereo? Depends upon my intent with the content...

If you try recording both channels, and one time you only get material showing up on the LEFT, but then a second time with the same material gets it showing up only on the RIGHT - YOU'VE GOT BAD EQUIPMENT. Could be software, could be hardware. Could be, but hopefully isn't PEBCAK error.

You have to go into troubleshooting mode. Check EACH link in the chain, isolating and A/B'ing it to verify that it consistently works perfectly. Use a known good source, try to replicate a known good output. Most likely, you'll find the weak link and be able to fix it...

Scott

I had the feeling my question would cause a misunderstanding! What I meant is that I only saw audio levels on one volume indicator at all times. It was always the same volume indicator. I forgot whether it was the right or left, but if it was on the left, it was always on the left, and never on the right. And since (I believe) mono is from the left audio jack, then it must have been from the left. Unless it is possible to only record on the right.

So if these videos are in fact recorded in mono, should I be capturing with the 32 khz/12 bit/ 4 ch setting? If DVD-Video requires 48 khz/16 bit/2 ch, I assume I can just convert it from the original when needed.