How best to rip, edit & reinsert Audio tracks in AVI files?

[walpoo]

Assistance Please. I have had terrific help from the Newbie section, and hope I am in correct forum here.
I have about 1 1/2 hours of Steam Train video to process. I want to extract audio from the AVI files (DV format), edit to cut out background noise, add some effects, sound track etc, then rejoin all in same quality as original capture.
I'll outline the way I do this at moment, but I find final result is poorer quality than original.
(1) Convert AVI to DVD (VOB) with Win AVI video convertor.
(2) rip audio with Ace DVD audio extractor (save as .WAV format).
(3) Edit, add effects etc in Adobe Audition. Save new file (same length as original) as .wav format.
(4) Open original video file in Mainconcept MPEG encoder, add saved .WAV audio file and convert to DVD 8000 kbps highest settings etc.
I will eventually want to join about 30 small files into one large one.
The result is nowhere near as good as the original AVI, so where am I going wrong????. I have read many posts in different sections, but can't seem to find a reply that fits my problem.
I hope someone has the time to read this (too long) post. Kind regards to all, Wayne

[tmh]

I'm no expert, but I think you'll want to change your work flow (process). Most here advocate doing all your editing/creating with the raw footage (avi) THEN converting to DVD compliant, then authoring. Your process has you converting (encoding) at least 2 times which creates quality loss each time. Below is the process i use and I'd say most here use - because that's where I learned to do it!

capture - edit/create your video - encode to DVD compliant - Author - burn to disc

If you want to work on the audio seperately, the demux (virtualdub) prior to the edit stage.

Also, I doubt WinAvi produces the same quality output as MainConcept so I see no reason to use it if you have Mainconcept already.

[walpoo]

Hello tmh, thanks for reply & help offered. I downloaded VirtualDub, like you suggested, and have been able to get audio out of the AVI, but I can't see how to mix the audio back into the AVI with VirtualDub. Or should I do his in Mainconcept???
I thought I was doing too many processes, and I'm glad you pointed that out. i have a pretty good handle on Audio stuff, but all these video formats leave me for dead, but as you say, you can learn a lot from the great people on these forums.
Take care, Wayne

[tmh]

Well, I'll do my best to help you out on this but again, I'm no expert - especially with Audio issues. However, I do work with DV/AVI footage quite a bit and wind up with good quality DVDs in the end.

What I do is use an editing program that has a timeline to add video, sound, effects, soundtrack(s), etc. Virtualdub is not this type of editing program. Popular ones include Vegas, Ulead, Adobe Premiere, etc (see TOOLS section under "Video Editors Advanced"). The one I use now is Magix Movie Edit pro 2004 which can be bought on eBay for $25 or less, as it is a few versions old.

In the editing software you simply select your video/audio/photo file and drag and drop into the "Timeline". then back for another file, and so on. Most have many timelines that run simultaneously (sp?) so one can add say Video, Audio, a soundtrack, sound effects all to the same section. You can also cut/paste/move/crop/fade in/out/blur/zoom/ etc. to make the video how you want it.

The next step is then to encode the "creation" to DVD compatible, then Author then burn. I'll stop here because I have no idea if this is what you're trying to do so i don't want to over-answer your question too much.

Lastly, you can re-mux your Video and audio in the Authoring stage if you don't need any/much fancy editing done. LOTS of ways to do this and many programs to do it with - some freeware some you pay for depending on how fancy and simple you want to get.

[Cornucopia]

These steps are much simpler/more direct:

(Assuming DV-AVI files already edited for content sequence, going to ultimately end up on DVD)

1. [Demux the Audio] Open DV-AVI in Virtualdub (if no audio, 1st run through Type1->Type2 converter). Select "Source Audio" (default), select "Direct Stream copy" (also default). Save as *.WAV (should be 16bit, 48kHz, stereo, LPCM). Alternately use AVIDemux or AVImux (the old one--in demux mode).

2. [Edit the Audio] Open WAV in multitrack audio editor (CoolEdit/Audition, Audacity, ProTools, Soundforge, etc). Apply NR, FX, etc. Mixdown/Render/Export to new Stereo WAV file (also 16bit, 48kHz, stereo, LPCM).

3. [Re-mux the Audio] Open the same DV-AVI in Virtualdub, selecting "Direct Stream copy" for the video as well. This time, select "WAV Audio" and browsing for the edited version of the audio file. SaveAsAVI (it will automatically make a type2 DV-AVI file with LPCM audio). Alternately, you could have used AVIMuxGUI or AVImux (the old one).

4. [Encode the Video & Audio] Use the same Mainconcept MPEG encoder.

Quality should be much better this way.

JOINING AVI's is a different matter, but not too difficult. Just make sure all your ducks are in a row (aka Codecs, Resolution, Framerate, SampleRate, #channels, Bitdepth the same) or you'll either have much trouble or not even be allowed to join.
Then, join before doing step 1 above. You can use the "Append" function in Virtualdub for this. There are also many other ways/apps.

Scott

[walpoo]

Thanks to all for help, especially Cornucopia. I followed your directions in Virtualdub and wound up with a perfectly baked cake. Thank you. I will now muddle on until I hit the next hurdle (hopefully only a little one). Good health to all, Wayne