VHS-DVD Mono Sound Problem

[newmand]

I have some family VHS tapes which I am converting to DVD.
The process I use is listed below:-

VHS -> DVD using a Panasonic DMR-EZ45V machine
DVD -> HDD using DVD Shrink v3.2
DVD -> AVI using Auto Gordian Knot v2.55
Edit AVI using Video Edit Master v1.8

I finish by then loading the .AVI files into ProShow Gold v2.5 which allows me to create menus and then create the DVD.

The problem I have is that several of the tapes were recorded in Mono and so produce a DVD which has sound in the Left Channel only.

Throughout the above process I can't find a setting to convert the sound to Mono (ie in both channels) which would boost the sound level in the finished product.

Can anyone offer help or suggestions please.

Dennis

[aedipuss]

at some point in your process you can use audacity to convert from mono to stereo.

[jman98]

That is a horrifically bad work flow with a completely unnecessary step of converting to AVI. If you are married to ProShow then so be it, but I would suggest that your Gordian Knot conversions use a very high bit rate like 5000 Kbps or higher.

In the USA we have a chain of stores called Radio Shack that sells plugs which you could use as a simpler way of fixing your sound issue. You need what is called a "Y converter" plug. You would send the output from the left channel of the VCR into the single plug end of the Y converter and then connect the 2 plugs on the other side into your DVD player. The Y converter will duplicate the sound from the one input into 2 outputs. If you're willing to do the awful workflow you have above, then I'd suggest you go this route rather than trying to fix it in software like aedipuss suggests.

[hech54]

That is a horrifically bad work flow with a completely unnecessary step of converting to AVI.

Exactly. Who ever showed you or told you about that work flow?....go punch them in the head.

[manono]

That is a horrifically bad work flow with a completely unnecessary step of converting to AVI. If you are married to ProShow then so be it, but I would suggest that your Gordian Knot conversions use a very high bit rate like 5000 Kbps or higher.

I'd go even further and say that there's no way any XviD should be used as an intermediary file between DVD and DVD. The description of this Video Edit Master says it handles MPEG files. If you can't open VOBs directly, convert them to MPEG first using VOBToMPEG.

[mazinz]

And as for your mono problem- fix it ahead of time by getting one of these Rca- Y adapters:
I use one of them when I convert from my Betamax since it is a mono machine. Radio shack and a slew of dollar stores (as well as best buy) sell this $2.00 adapter wire (or whatever retail equivalent you have in the UK)

[newmand]

Thanks for the responses.
The 'bad work flow' process was my own idea because I couldn't find a method of editing DVD VOB's directly, so I'll punch my own head!

The Panasonic DMR-EZ45V machine is a self-contained VHS recorder/player and DVD recorder/player which has an in-built facility to copy a VHS tape to DVD (and vice-versa) so I use it to get the file onto my HDD.

I use ProShow Gold to create DVD-slideshows for my family photographs and occasionally include .AVI files. So I tried making a slideshow of just an .AVI file and it worked - so that's what I did.
This means that I can have up to 3 shows with text menus on a single DVD.

I'll try jman98's suggestion for the Auto Gordinan Knot settings to improve the quality.

On someone elses suggestion I tried using AVIdemux on the AVI file, turning the sound to Mono and also increasing it by 10% and this has helped.

Thanks again, Dennis

[Brad]

Don't ignore mazinz's suggestion. It allows you to split the audio out so that you don't have to re-encode it after it is recorded by the DVD unit.

[mazinz]

Don't ignore mazinz's suggestion. It allows you to split the audio out so that you don't have to re-encode it after it is recorded by the DVD unit.

Exactly, Hey Newmand, with that wire you want to plug it into the left audio output of your vcr (for whatever mono tapes you have), you then plug in the left and right audio wires from the Panasonic deck into the 2 outputs from that wire. This doubles your mono track to a fake stereo so the mono track will be recorded on both left and right channels

[newmand]

Hello again.

I'd like to make it clear that I'm not ignoring Mazinz's advice, I'm grateful for all of your contributions.

But, to repeat an earlier comment: "the Panasonic DMR-EZ45V machine is a self-contained VHS recorder/player and DVD recorder/player which has an in-built facility to copy a VHS tape to DVD (and vice-versa) so I use it to get the file onto my HDD."

We have two of these machines which are the household standard video/dvd players.
This machine copies from VHS->DVD internally so there are no output sockets or input sockets to cross-connect. I understand Mazinz's point, it's just that it's not possible.

Jman98's suggestion for the Auto Gordinan Knot settings has improved the quality a bit and I'm grateful for that.

I'll just keep on trying one step at a time.

Dennis

[jman98]

We don't always take the time to look up model numbers. Since you're using a DVD/VCR combo, you have no choice but to fix the one channel audio problem in software. We don't really recommend the use of DVD/VCR combos around here. These are rather infamous for being overly sensitive (basically Hollywood made all the manufacturers around the world make them that way) so if there is even the least little problem with the video tape, the DVD recorder side will freak out and decide that you are for sure trying to record a commercial tape and refuse to record it. If you have separate units if that scenario comes up, you can at least handle it by putting a TBC between the VCR and DVD recorder. That's impossible when the DVD recorder/VCR are the same unit.

[Brad]

What happens if you do this (loopback from VHS out to input):

Connect the DVD/VHS COMMON OUT to the IN2 terminals.
Connect HDMI or DVD PRIORITY OUT to TV.
Play VHS and try to record.

Is that simply not possible?

Quote from manual:

If the audio output of the other equipment is monaural, connect to L/MONO. (Both left and right channels are recorded when connected through L/MONO.)

It seems that it's only referring to the IN2 terminal though, not IN1.

[mazinz]

Hey Newmand,
Sorry for missing your panny combo setup, BUT you mentioned having two of these machines. I just saw front and back images of this deck via online (google). The machine DOES have audio/video output jacks on the back of the deck as well as input jacks on the front

The machine should output what you see on vhs and record via the input on the other deck

so
1. machine A- use the outputs on the back of the deck
2. hook those output wires from machine A to the front input of machine B

this should still allow you to record as usual and now you can get around your mono problem with the method I suggested