No Audio in DVDs Authored in Lab Pro

[Govtman]

Okay guys/gals, got a question: Using PlextorGoCap to capture VHS tapes via a Plextor ConvertX. Encoding at MPEG-2. Then author DVD using DVD Lab Pro. Problem is, I haven't been able to get the audio to work even though I clearly see the audio when DVD Lab Pro "demultiplexes" the MPEG-2 file. Is this where I'm going wrong? Should I not allow DVD Lab Pro to demultiplex? I followed the quick and easy tutorial and after burning three DVDs each one a little better (meaning menus added, scenes added), I still can't get any audio out of it. In fact, when I look at the AUDIO_TS folder it is empty! However, the VIDEO_TS is populated. Any ideas out there? I have a pretty new (within last two years) Pioneer Elite DVD player and a pretty quick computer: ASUS 8KV, 2GB RAM, 3500AMD CPU, etc...

Great forums...thanks for the help...

[guns1inger]

OK. Let's sort out a couple of simple things first.

1. The audio_TS folder on all DVD disks is empty. It was put in there for a part of the proposed spec that wasn't used, and now remains because some players expect to see it.

2. Yes, you should let DVD Lab Pro demux your audio and video if it offers. Even better, feed it elementary streams if you can. Once done' you may have to manually add the new audio to each movie track. Check your movie tracks and see if there is anything in the audio tracks in the DVD Lab Pro project.

3. Test it from the HDD before burning. Use PowerDVD or WinDVD or similar. Never use Windows Media Player.

What format is your audio ?
Is it always this format ?
Is there audio on your menus ?
Is it the same format as the audio on your movies ?

[Govtman]

Gunslinger, thanks for taking the time...Here are the answers:

What format is your audio ?
A. Just looked at the audio file and it looks as though it is called an "mpa". The audio file is approximately 194,000KB.

Is it always this format ?
A. This is my first time doing this...so yes...

Is there audio on your menus ?
A. I added it under the movie in the project window and is shown as "Audio 1 English (Stereo)". I also notice another Audio 2 but this is empty since I did not add anything to it and a "Subtitle" section that is also empty.

Is it the same format as the audio on your movies ?
A. How can I determine this??? My original untouched home movie file is a 4GB "MPEG" file.

Anymore ideas?

[Govtman]

Gunslinger, I forgot to mention that I did play it using PowerDVD and it played fine...My Pioneer Elite that is about two years old should not have a problem playing this DVD format, right?

Thanks... 8)

[guns1inger]

Your audio is mpeg1-layer2 (also known as mpeg audio, hence the mpa extension). Mpeg audio was a mandatory part of the spec for PAL players in Europe early on, to appease a couple of the latecomers to DVD. For a long time, NTSC players simply did not recognise it. While this has changed over the past couple of years, there are still a lot of players that won't see it, and a lot of amps that won't play it. I would check your DVD menu and see if there is an ooption to output PCM for Mpeg (my PAL Pioneer has this option, which is handy because my amp won't recognise mpeg audio). If it does, then you should be OK. If it doesn't you will have to convert your audio to AC3 instead.

[Govtman]

Gunslinger, you made my day. I didn't realize that I had more audio options on my Pioneer Elite 45A DVD player (a great DVD player by the way!!!). I went into the INITIAL SETTINGS and selected DIGITAL AUDIO OUT>MPGE OUT>MPEG>PCM and wa-la!!! Bam...batta...bam!!! I heard audio! Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I hope this helps others that were in my same situation. I just couldn't believe it at first that this premier DVD player that I bought two years ago couldn't play MPEG audio.

Thank you again and take care in the land down under...BTW, I hope they find that Tasmanian Tiger!

Take care...