no sound with newly downloaded .avi file

[JediPM]

I downloaded a .avi file and I am not getting any sound. I have spend 4 hours trying to educate myself on codecs. I downloaded the AC3 codec, but I am still not getting any sound. I tried using Divx to convert the .avi file, but still nothing. I added the codec file to the Quicktime folder on my HD, and I also tried to add the file to libray - audio - components....still nothing.

I want to be able to make a DVD to play on my home DVD player, but I don't want to burn anything until I am sure I will get sound.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks
Jedipm

[JediPM]

I think I got it! I was instructed to use VLC.

Now if I am to make a DVD should I transcode with VLC to Mpeg 4 for both audio and video?

Thanks
Jedipm

[guns1inger]

No - mpeg4 is not DVD compliant - you need mpeg-2. The first thing you need to do is identify exactly what the avi contains. Like the mov format, AVI is a container, not a video type. How the video and audio are packed into it is determined by the codecs used, and therefore the codecs required to play the file back correctly.

On the mac side of things, Perian is probably your first port of call. After that you have a couple of choices.

If the AVI file contains Divx or Xvid encoded video and mp3 or AC3 audio then it will probably play on many standalone DVD players that have Divx playback capability. if you have one of these, but the file as data to a CD or DVD and play it as is. Conversions cost quality, so avoiding them where possible is a good thing.

If you must convert it to a real DVD Video format, toast is probably the simplest answer, once you have the correct codecs in place.

[JediPM]

Man this is a lot of work for a free movie, how do people put up with this?

[terryj]

U weigh the cost of what your getting against the cost of what
you want to end up with.

1. You got a "free" movie..nothing is really free so let's say the cost
is actually electricity it took to get it, cost of the cable internet used, etc.

2. You want to be able to play it in the living room on the DVD player.
Since you don't mention that you have any other way to play it
other than as a DVD to your TV, your now needing to end up
having a DVD authored. Now you have to weigh in the cost of
doing that ( time to find out what is in the file, making sure
you have purchased / downloaded the correct codecs to transcode,
have purchased a good transcoding and burning app, blank media, etc.)

Most people, let's take that back, I'll use me.

I would make the overall cost minimized by:

1. having a way to play the file onto my TV in the living room
that doesn't involve transcoding. This can be done simply by
having My laptop hooked up into my TV's Aanlog ports via
Apple's mini-DVI to VGA adapter ($19) and a 3 prong to 2 Prong AV
Cable ( $6).
Or, if the movie was downloaded in .mp4 format, I would
put it onto my iPod Classic ( $299) and play it to my TV using
either my iHome Dock ( $79) or through a simple iPod to 3 prong
AV Cable ( $6).

If you realize that it is more costly to have the tools to enjoy
"free" movies, then lower your expectations a bit, and simply
watch the movie on your computer after downloading, or go buy
the movie used ( $7 to $9) or Previous Viewed ( $3 to $7). or rent it
($1 to $6).

that's how people put up with it.

[tomlee59]

Man this is a lot of work for a free movie, how do people put up with this?

This is why many people actually buy DVDs.

If you don't have to do it too often, then conversion into DVD is tolerable for many folks. But if you intend to do a lot of this, you may want to consider the alternative suggested by terryj: Don't convert at all. Just hook up your computer to your AV system, and play the clips directly from it. Get yourself a BF hard drive (you can buy a terabyte for $100, and prices keep dropping), and you're off to the races. This cuts out the delay between downloading the movie, and experiencing it on your Xtreme-Def 3D direct-to-brain omnisensory multimedia device.

[rumplestiltskin]

Think outside the box: Forget DVDs - Do mp4 and use a media server like an AppleTV, that new WD box (or even your computer if you have HDMI or component or even composite output). Heck; even an iPod works if you have the appropriate cable.

I haven't burned a video DVD in about two years. It's so 20th century...

[rumplestiltskin]

Oh, one more thing: You may need the AC52 codec which handles AC3 and converts it on the fly within QuickTime.