Audio Problems - Using VirtualDub to convert from XviD to DV AVI

[garinp]

I have several TV shows that I downloaded to my PC and want to burn them to my Pioneer DVR-210. I have a TechGear 1394 Firewire card and connect from my PC to the DV port of the DVR-210. After a lot of trial and error, I found WinDV to send video to the DVR-210, and VirtualDub to convert from XviD to DV (using the Panasonic DV codec). I have used other programs to convert to DV, but the audio never came through when I tried to burn a DVD using the DVR-210. With VirtualDub, the audio comes through as well as the video. Currently running into the following problems: audio and video start out fine, but a minute or so into it, the audio is out of synch with the video.
When I open the XviD AVI, VirtualDub does give me a message that Variable bitrate (VBR) detected, and I am using "Full processing mode" as recommended.

[guns1inger]

You need to demux the audio as either uncompressed PCM (wav) or CBR MP3, then remux it as the new audio track for the avi. From there you can convert without issue.

[garinp]

Unfortunately, I do not know how to do that. I did some research to try to understand what demux was. I understand the concept, but not how to do it. Where can I get a CBR MP3 codec? Tried using "full processing mode" in VirtualDub, but no matter what compression type I chose, it told me "Error initializing audio stream decompression. No installed audio codec could be found to decompress the compressed source audio. Check to make sure you have the required codec."

[guns1inger]

Install LAME mp3 to give you the ability to save the audio out as a CBR MP3 file. However as you are heading to DV, I would use uncompressed PCM audio.

Open the avi in virtualdub. When you get the VBR warning, click yes. Next, go Streams->Stream List. Right-click and select Full Processing Mode. Right-click again and select Compression. Click on Uncompressed PCM. Click OK. Click Save WAV and enter a file name. Once the new file has been saved (at around 100mb per 10 minutes of running time), again go Streams->Stream List. Left click on the mp3 audio stream, then click on the Disable button. Now click on Add, and select the wav file you just created. Right-click on the list and select Direct Stream Copy.

From here you have a choice. You can save out in Direct Stream Copy mode and create a new avi with the original xvid video and the new uncompressed audio, or you can save directly to your DV avi file. All should be, hopefully, in sync.

[celtic_druid]

http://www.video2dv.com/ might be easier.

[garinp]

guns1inger - thank you for the detail. I will try it.
celtic_druid - thank you. Looked at it but not intuitive and could not figure out how to do anything. Almost looks hung since avi does not play once opened.

[Abond]

Open the avi in virtualdub. When you get the VBR warning, click yes. Next, go Streams->Stream List.

AFAIK Virtual Dub has no Streams->Stream list. It is VirtualDubMod.

[garinp]

Thanks, was going crazy wondering why I could not find it...

[garinp]

On saving the WAV file, I get "Error initializing audio stream decompression: The requested conversion is not possible. Check to make sure you have the required codec" I did not know I needed a codec for the <no compression (PCM)>. Suggestions on where to go for the required codecs?

[Abond]

What audio have you in the source files?

[garinp]

if I go to File > Properties on the file, it says "Lame MP3"

[Abond]

So, then you are loading the avi in VDubMod, answer "No" for rewriting header, make the audio "Full processing" and click Save WAV? And then you have the error?

[Bjs]

Going back ...

"Tried using "full processing mode" in VirtualDub, but no matter what compression type I chose, it told me "Error initializing audio stream decompression" .

Saving as wav = dose not use audio compression , so dont set "compressor"...

It's , audio - full processing = save as wav ... only ... done .

[celtic_druid]

"Error initializing audio stream decompression" would still effect fullprocessing/save as wav since it still has to decompress.

VDub/the windows mp3 ACM decoder sometimes has problems decoding mp3 desite there being a decoder installed. Could be that. From what I have read it comes down to the header. Changing it with a hex editor fixes it.