How to import AC3 files with DVD Workshop and AC3 pack

[mauromi]

Hi all,
I have DVD Workshop 1.3 with AC3 pack, both patched.

I use video (.MPV) and audio (.AC3) separated files.

It seems this software does not allow importing the AC3 file, which has 5.1 format.

If I merge them into a MPG file, DVD WS accepts it, but it re-encodes the whole file in the final step.

If I transform the AC3 file into MP2 and the I do the previous operation, all works well without re-encoding, but I lose the AC3 function.

Any suggestion is very appreciated. Thanks in advance,

mauro

[Specialist]

If you have the AC-3 version of Ulead DVD Workshop, you should be able to import AC-3 5.1 surround sound files and then re-encode them to become 2-CHANNEL stereo AC-3 files.

I've done that successfully here on my three workstations.

(I have Ulead DVD Workshop with the AC-3 PowerPack applied.)

If you are unable to import the 5.1 sound, then there may be a technical issue associated with how the program was installed.

You might try uninstalling and re-installing.

If you keep having problems, I'd suggest giving Ulead's tech support team a call:

1 (310) 896-6391, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm (PST).

Hope this helps,

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Nolonemo]

I used to use 1.3 without the AC3 pack to author 5.1 AC3 dvds. What I did was to mux the m2v and ac3 file in tmgenc into an mpg, then open that in workshop, author and burn with the "do not reencode compliant ect" box checked. Worked fine. Don't see why your muxed files are being rencoded, as long as they are compliant.

[mauromi]

To answer SPECIALIST who says:

<If you have the AC-3 version of Ulead DVD Workshop, you should be able to import AC-3 5.1 surround sound files and then re-encode them to become 2-CHANNEL stereo AC-3 files. >

I don't want to lose the 5.1 features I already have in my AC3 file, nor I want to spend useless time to re-encode the audio.



To answer NOLONEMO
if I mux audio and video into an MPG file (I used AVI2MPG2 or BBMPG), Ulead re-encode the whole file even if I set the check box to DO NOT REENCODE COMPLIANT".

Thanks to you both for your support

mauro

[Specialist]

I don't want to lose the 5.1 features I already have in my AC3 file, nor I want to spend useless time to re-encode the audio.

Yes - I realize that.

However, the product is advertised as follows:

"Import 5.1 Surround Sound and create Stereo AC-3 files"

http://www.ulead.com/dws/runme.htm

The program does not officially support authoring of 5.1 surround sound.

Unofficially, however, you should still be able to 'pass through' the surround sound data by checking the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILE check box that appears on the final MAKE DISC burn menu page.

But I would also recommend that you carefully inspect the properties of your source MPEG and then *adjust* your DVD WORKSHOP PROJECT SETTINGS to match in every way.

For example, if I import files with the following properties:

NTSC drop frame (29.97 fps)
MPEG files
24 Bits, 704 x 480, 29.97 fps
Field Order B
(DVD-NTSC), 4 : 3
Video data rate: Variable (Max. 8800 kbps)
Audio data rate: 256 kbps
MPEG audio layer 2, 48 KHz, Stereo

...I am careful to match my Ulead DVD Workshop project settings to match.

You can adjust the DVD Workshop project settings by clicking MAKE DISC and then by clicking CUSTOMIZE.

Hope this helps,

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Taxiback]

1. In windows change your folders options to "show hidden files and folders "
2. Go to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Ulead Systems\Ulead DVD Workshop\1.0
3. Open with notepad DVDWS.ini
4. once opened search for this line..
PlayAC3=0
Change it to PlayAC3=1 ( it may already be 1)
Now below that one, you make a new one ( see below)
ADVANCE=1
Closed the file, and save the changings..

Now you can load without any problems an Mpeg with ac3 sound in it.
When you choose for “Make Disk/Customize” that there is a new Advanced option,
where you can change the settings and bitrate etc for a AC3 file..

[mauromi]

In response to Taxiback
>>>3. Open with notepad DVDWS.ini

Thanks, it seems the right solution!
But I don't have this file . Trust me, hidden files are shown, the problem is probably that I'm using version 1.3 wiht AC3 which stores such information in the registry.

However, even the registry does not have the PlayAC3 option.
Under <hkeycurrentuser>-Softare-Ulead Systems-Ulead DVD Workshop-1.0 I have several sub-folders:
- BURNPARAM
- Default
- Library
- Premerence
- PROGINFO
- Recent File
- VIO

but the PlayAC3 entry does not exists.

However, can anyone tell me how to set the right options in disk template manager to avoid AC3 conversion is forced? I tried to use any of the predefined ones on a MPEG file with AC3 5.1 384 kbps inside, and the audio is always converted.

Thanks again!

mauro

[mauromi]

Quick update.

I re-installed dvdws and now I have the DVDWS.INI file.
I changed the tow entries to:
PlayAC3=1
ADVANCE=1

Now it seems that the audio is not converted (although the log seems to say the opposite, see below) but DVDWS spends 10 seconds on the first 3 steps and then 40 minutes to do the multiplexing step.
I'm owndering what is it multiplexing if I already have both audio and video in the same file.

This is the log result of building a new image, thanks in advance for any help

mauro

Service Pack 1 (Build 2600)


==============================================
[2003/11/10][11:17:23.49] DVD Log file

==============================================
==============================================
[2003/11/10][11:17:23.49] Project properties block

==============================================

0001: Project name: TheMatrix

0002: Project folder: D:\Documents and Settings\mauromi\Documenti\Ulead DVD Workshop\TheMatrix

0003: Total menu pages: 0

0004: Total titles: 1

0005: PAL (25.0 fps)

0006: Do not convert compliant file, non-compliant file will be converted to follow project template

0007: Accept Mpeg audio for NTSC DVD

0008: No anti-flickering filter applied

0009: Do not create DVD folder

0010: Create disc image file

==============================================

End of properties stuff block

==============================================

==============================================

[2003/11/10][11:17:23.49] ESTIMATED Project size: Based on the project properties.

==============================================

0001: Total project size: 3454462848 bytes

0002: Total project block: 1710126 blocks

0003: Total extra size (for converting title and audio, and motion menu): 1506470400 bytes

0004: Total extra BLOCK (for converting title and audio, and motion menu): 745778 blocks

0005: Exact disc image size (based on the generted disc image file): 3454462848 bytes

0006: Extra disk size for converting video: 0 bytes

0007: Extra disk size for converting audio: 1506470400 bytes

0008: The size of non-converted video: 1947275648 bytes

0009: The size of non-converted audio: 0 bytes

0010: The size of motion menu: 0 bytes

0011: The size of still menu: 0 bytes

0012: The size of still images: 0 bytes

==============================================
End of size stuff block

==============================================

0001: *[DVD:FAIL] Can not Reuse VOB folder


0002: =======================================

[2003/11/10][11:17:23.49] Convert Titles

0001: =======================================

0002: Try to extract audio from a video clip, video source=X:\f\TheMatrix.mpg

0003: =======================================

[2003/11/10][11:17:23.64] Converting audio file (to be LPCM format)

0001: =======================================

0002: CodecID = 0

0003: Audio CodecID = 1

0004: current data rate = 0

0005: Display ratio = 0

0006: Save Frame Rate = 15000

0007: Save Frames = 0

0008: Save Samples = 376617600

0009: Save SamplesPerSecond = 48000

0010: Save file name = D:\Documents and Settings\mauromi\Documenti\Ulead DVD Workshop\TheMatrix\~TheMatrix_000.wav

0011: Save Width = 320

0012: Save Height = 240

0013: Save video track = 0

0014: Save audio track = 1

0015: Save BitCount = 0

0016: Save BitPerSample = 16

0017: Save Channel = 2

0018: Save Data Track = 2

0019: =======================================

[2003/11/10][11:17:23.64] Dump MPEG_PUBLIC_OPTIONEX

0001: =======================================

0002: Audio Type = 0

0003: Mpeg flag = 0

0004: VBR Average bit rate = 0

0005: File format = 0

0006: File type = 0

0007: Sample rate = 0

0008: Audio bit rate = 0

0009: Bit rate mode = 0

0010: Frame height = 0

0011: Frame width = 0

0012: Frame Rate = 0

0013: Layer = 0

0014: Mode = 0

0015: Output Frame Mode = 0

0016: Version = 0

0017: Video data rate = 0

0018: =======================================

[2003/11/10][11:17:23.64] End of Dump MPEG_PUBLIC_OPTIONEX

0001: =======================================

[2003/11/10][11:17:23.64] Converting audio file (to be LPCM format)

0001: Do extraction: out file=D:\Documents and Settings\mauromi\Documenti\Ulead DVD Workshop\TheMatrix\~TheMatrix_000.wav

0002: =======================================

0003: Check and convert background audio file of image slide show title

0004: =======================================

0005: =======================================

0006: Check and convert background audio file of menu page

0007: =======================================

0008: [DVD:OK] Generate new cache VOB folder [TEMP] D:\Documents and Settings\mauromi\Documenti\Ulead DVD Workshop\TheMatrix\~f\


==============================================

[2003/11/10][11:32:51.18] After DVD-video folder (D:\Documents and Settings\mauromi\Documenti\Ulead DVD Workshop\TheMatrix\~f\VIDEO_TS) is generated, show all size stuff.

==============================================

0001: Total project size: 1936936960 bytes

0002: Total project block: 1710126 blocks

0003: Total extra size (for converting title and audio, and motion menu): 0 bytes

0004: Total extra BLOCK (for converting title and audio, and motion menu): 745778 blocks

0005: Exact disc image size (based on the generted disc image file): 1936936960 bytes

0006: Extra disk size for converting video: 0 bytes

0007: Extra disk size for converting audio: 1506470400 bytes

0008: The size of non-converted video: 1947275648 bytes

0009: The size of non-converted audio: 0 bytes

0010: The size of motion menu: 0 bytes

0011: The size of still menu: 0 bytes

0012: The size of still images: 0 bytes

==============================================

End of size stuff block

==============================================

0001: [DVD:OK] Re-generate disc image [FORMAL] D:\Documents and Settings\mauromi\Documenti\Ulead DVD Workshop\TheMatrix\THEMATRIXac3.iso


==============================================

[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] After DVD disc image (D:\Documents and Settings\mauromi\Documenti\Ulead DVD Workshop\TheMatrix\THEMATRIXac3.iso) is generated, show all size stuff.

==============================================

0001: Total project size: 1937506304 bytes

0002: Total project block: 1710126 blocks

0003: Total extra size (for converting title and audio, and motion menu): 0 bytes

0004: Total extra BLOCK (for converting title and audio, and motion menu): 745778 blocks

0005: Exact disc image size (based on the generted disc image file): 1937506304 bytes

0006: Extra disk size for converting video: 0 bytes

0007: Extra disk size for converting audio: 1506470400 bytes

0008: The size of non-converted video: 1947275648 bytes

0009: The size of non-converted audio: 0 bytes

0010: The size of motion menu: 0 bytes

0011: The size of still menu: 0 bytes

0012: The size of still images: 0 bytes

==============================================

End of size stuff block

==============================================

==============================================

[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Begin dump of Remaining time log data

==============================================

[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=5907_1_data, MID=5907, SID=1, data rate = 482224.351691


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=5907_1_tick, MID=5907, SID=1, tick rate = 0.013959


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=25654_1_data, MID=25654, SID=1, data rate = 9523809.523810


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=25654_1_tick, MID=25654, SID=1, tick rate = 4761.904762


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=25791_1_data, MID=25791, SID=1, data rate = 2092320000.000000


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=25791_1_tick, MID=25791, SID=1, tick rate = 277.777778


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=25792_1_data, MID=25792, SID=1, data rate = 100000.000000


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=25792_1_tick, MID=25792, SID=1, tick rate = 50.000000


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=25655_1_data, MID=25655, SID=1, data rate = 869565.217391


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=25655_1_tick, MID=25655, SID=1, tick rate = 434.782609


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=25793_1_data, MID=25793, SID=1, data rate = 50000000.000000


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=25793_1_tick, MID=25793, SID=1, tick rate = 5000.000000


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=25794_1_data, MID=25794, SID=1, data rate = 1000000.000000


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=25794_1_tick, MID=25794, SID=1, tick rate = 20.000000


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=2029_1_data, MID=2029, SID=1, data rate = 16666666.666667


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=2029_1_tick, MID=2029, SID=1, tick rate = 3333.333333


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=5901_1_data, MID=5901, SID=1, data rate = 2841778.027897


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=5901_1_tick, MID=5901, SID=1, tick rate = 0.121811


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Data Rate of item=5902_1_data, MID=5902, SID=1, data rate = 22064579.275905


[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] Tick Rate of item=5902_1_tick, MID=5902, SID=1, tick rate = 0.945787


==============================================

[2003/11/10][11:56:21.24] End dump of Remaining time log data

==============================================

[mauromi]

Sorry, it's me again to give my last update.

After several tests I discovered the following bug: if the file is "small" (up to some hundreds MB) the process works well without re-encoding.

But is the file is big (I tried with 3 GB)DVDWS re-encodes the whole file, taking several hours.

Furthremore, the multiplexing steps always occurs.

To summarize, I will use a different software to prepare my DVDs.

mauro

[jrsdsl]

mauromi,

I'm no expert on DVD Workshop and I haven't used it lately but I have created DVD's larger than 3 gigs with it and the files weren't re encoded.

Well I should say that my first attempts did result in the file being reencoded but that was due inexperience with the program and changing a setting in the template that seem to make the assets appear non-compliant to Workshop even though I had the box checked not to convert compliant files (my wording for that option might not be exact). I also hadn't applied all the patches to the program from Ulead. Have you done that step?

You indicate that

Furthremore, the multiplexing steps always occurs.

, correct me if I am wrong, but isnt' multiplexing a part of the process of merging all your projects assets into the VOB files that get recorded to the DVD?

I got some help with DVD Workshop from another forum and you might want to take a look at that thread.

http://www.dmnforums.com/cgi-bin/disppost.cgi?forum=ulead_dvd_workshop&filename=030905095829.htm

Hey use whatever app you feel comfortable with and gives you the results you want but Workshop is pretty good and if set up correctly will do the job.

[Nolonemo]

Well, you could try unistalling everything, and install 1.3 only without the AC3 pack and see if that eliminates the multiplex step.

[Specialist]

The multiplexing step is normal.

The step that one should try to avoid is RE-ENCODING.

I do that successfully using Ulead DVD Workshop routinely.

However, I work with stereo AC-3 files and not 5.1 surround sound files.

There's a new version 2.0 of Ulead DVD Workshop just around the corner...

http://www.ulead.com/

...with more robust features.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[mauromi]

Version 2 seems interesting, but I'm scared of the sentence

>>Dolby® Digital AC-3 Support – Import 5.1 channel
>>Dolby Digital audio files and encode to 2-channel
>>Dolby Digital stereo. The best quality audio at the
>>most compact file size means more space on the disc.

I hope it means that it does BOTH things, but not not mean that it does not allow to create a DVD with AC3 5.1, even if I have the source audio in this format.

[Specialist]

Surround sound output does not appear to be supported.

However, the program will have a feature called SURROUND SOUND EMULATION.

The PDF file that explains this feature states:

"If the original audio track uses more than 2 channels (e.g. Dolby® Digital
5.1) but was converted to a 2-channel audio track (e.g. Dolby® Digital Stereo), this option will simulate surround sound when playing back your video on a set-top DVD player."

http://www.ulead.com/dws/dws2/DVD_Workshop_FB.pdf

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Nolonemo]

Mauromi, I'm stumped. I authored many 5.1 full discs using Workshop 1.2. I rendered in Vegas to .m2v video stream. Used Softencode to render out an 5.1 ac3 audio file, muxed the two in TMPGENc, imported the resulting mpeg to Workshop and burned with the "do not convert compliant files" box checked. The mpgs were all around 4.3 GB Always worked like a charm.

Re Workshop 2.0: Hmm, it will convert Dolby 5.1 to Dolby Pro Logic? What a bargain! Not.

[Specialist]

Keep in mind, that's just the *official* feature list.

As you've indicated, one can check the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILES check box - using the current version of Ulead DVD Workshop - and the 5.1 surround sound import will be passed through to the disc.

I suspect the same will be true of version 2.0 of Ulead DVD Workshop.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

Mauromi, I'm stumped. I authored many 5.1 full discs using Workshop 1.2. I rendered in Vegas to .m2v video stream. Used Softencode to render out an 5.1 ac3 audio file, muxed the two in TMPGENc, imported the resulting mpeg to Workshop and burned with the "do not convert compliant files" box checked. The mpgs were all around 4.3 GB Always worked like a charm.

Re Workshop 2.0: Hmm, it will convert Dolby 5.1 to Dolby Pro Logic? What a bargain! Not.