Strange situation regarding an AVI file

[hyphenate]

A friend pf mine is helping someone convert some of his old VHS tapes to DVDs, and asked for my help in then converting the DVDs into AVI format so he could then edit them when finished.

I used Auto Gordian Knot to do the conversion after looking at various programs and descriptions. It took some time to do the conversions, and I then copied the converted files to another DVD as data, which meant they went onto the DVD as AVI and log files. There were two AVI files at about 1.4GB and one at just over 750MB. With all of the files that were being copied at over the capacity for a 4.7GB DVD, I put the three main AVI files on one DVD, and the other files to the second disk.

They tested fine on my computer when I tried them, with nice resolution and sound. My friend is having a lot of trouble, however. He has both a Mac and a PC and is not getting sound from the AVI on either computer. He sent me back my disk, and I tried it again, and I have no problem with them.

I am stymied. I thought perhaps it was a codec file, but he argued that any other AVI file works fine for him on his computer systems. This friend is not very mechanically inclined, and it can be difficult to explain codecs or drivers, and I can't help on the Mac at any rate, being a longtime PC user only.

So I'm at a complete loss. The disk worked fine, and the original conversions are still on my hard drive, and everything works for me. I have a fairly complete collection of codecs, use mostly WinAmp for playing AVI files more than media player (which I don't like all that much), PowerDVD for regular DVDs, and have had very little trouble with media files in general. I use Nero for copying to DVD, mostly for TIVO files.

If someone might be able to shed some light on this, as to whether my friend Steve needs to have some specific codec on his PC and or Mac, of if there might be some other area which might be posing a problem, I would certainly appreciate help.

BTW, as many here might agree, I find it very difficult to explain to most people about codecs. For those with little to no knowledge of how the whole multimedia world works, it's difficult for them to understand that there are many different elements that need to work together, and that the codecs are essential for different software output formats. It's almost like an invisible world and people who aren't even aware of them end up frustrated by their computer systems because they aren't made aware of the existence of third party program requirements.

Thanks again to whoever might be able to help in figuring out why my friend is having so much trouble with the AVI files.

[poisondeathray]

So normal video but no audio on your friend's PC?

I'm guessing that your AVI has AC3 audio, but to confirm, run gspot on your AVI file to determine what audio codec is being used. If this guess is correct, you just need to install AC3filter

Are there any other sound problems on your friend's computer? Does he hear music files and browser clicks ok? If not this might suggest a hardware or driver related problem instead of a specific codec problem

[Nelson37]

Eliminate the problem in another way.

There are simply far too many combinations of compressed AVI and audio file. For starters, you haven't even mentioned which you are using. Let's make that not necessary.

There is one simple, obvious type of file where there is no question what it contains, and what players will handle it.
DVD-MPG2.

Otherwise, there are only two things I can guarantee. Solving your friends problem will take more of your time than re-encoding, and someday he or she will give this file to someone elso who has the exact same problem. DVD-MPG2 solves both these.

[jagabo]

DVI -> AVI with AutoGK almost certainly has AC3 audio. Your friend needs an AC3 decoder.

[hyphenate]

Thanks, everyone!

I took the advice from PoisonDeathRay to begin with, and see if that makes the difference. Friend Steve wanted to be able to do it in a format which the video editing program (I believe he is ultimately going to use Final Cut Pro on the Mac) can read easily.

I don't use a video editing program right now--I haven't had any intentions of doing videos of my own, simply because I've had no interest. But lately, I've been getting more interested because of YouTube, so I might start. I used to use Premiere--I think I still have a copy of it somewhere....

I very much appreciate all the help you have given me, and anyone else who might want to add their comments. The more that is contributed adds to my own store of knowledge. and for that I'm grateful!

[filmboss80]

He wants to edit using Final Cut Pro? Not just any AVI file will work, and AC3 audio files are not the best for editing. I don't use Final Cut Pro, so I don't know what it can handle, but with Premiere, it is best to edit with DV-AVI files and wav audio files. Please tell me your AVI files are not DivX or Xvid.