Trouble with MainConcept MPEG Encoder

[satwar]

I noticed that I get very poor audio quality, which is also out of sync with the video, when I directly source the audio(AC3) stream from an AVI file.

If I encode the VCD by first decompressing the audio stream(AC3) in the AVI to a separate WAV file and then source the audio from this separate WAV file, the resulting audio track on the VCD is very good quality and in sync with the video.

Am I missing some tuning that can be done to MainConcept Encoder that will bring the audio stream quality up to par when encoding a VCD directly sourcing both video(XVID) and audio(AC3) from an AVI?

If not, why is audio sourcing from a decompressed WAV file so much better than sourcing from an AVI? Or have I already answered my own question, the encoder has much less work to do when feeding it a decompressed WAV file?

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm just learning about video so I hope everyone understands me.

[BJ_M]

no tweaking you can do can fix this

[pijetro]

I noticed that I get very poor audio quality, which is also out of sync with the video, when I directly source the audio(AC3) stream from an AVI file.

As far as the sync goes, that's because you're recompressing a compressed stream..Not very easy..It's like stuffing square ice cubes into round shaped trays...It's simply easier to remelt, and repour...

Get it

the resulting audio track on the VCD is very good quality

Actually, the sound quality shouldn't be any better..
If anything, the decoder (playback software/hardware device) is gonna determine why your .AC3 isn't quite as good as your uncompressed..

If not, why is audio sourcing from a decompressed WAV file so much better than sourcing from an AVI?

Again with the water analogy.
Since you're working with Xvid's and other people's techniques, you'll be at the mercy of their mistakes..
All your .WAV and .AC3 woes should go away, when you decide to go to the world of capturing video..
Everything is captured in .WAV, and every software should work with it no problem..