AC-3 in Vegas to DVD-A

VEGAS Pro

AC-3 in Vegas to DVD-A

Posted by Eyewall on September 23, 2005 at 5:02 pm

Concerning the sound level on AC-3 rendered in Vegas 6 and put onto a DVD-A project, I notice that despite setting levels on Vegas to the maximum without clipping, the resulting AC-3 levels showing up in DVD-A are much lower. It still sounds good in my projects, but seems to be lower levels than what I rendered with Vegas 6. Not sure I am explaining it technically, but I would expect to see the same levels in DVD-A, but it is much flater and lower. Any insights on any settings I am not using when rendering or other ideas? Perhaps it’s normal? Thanks for any help.

Eyewall

Peter Wright replied 20 years, 7 months ago 4 Members · 9 Replies
9 Replies

Gary Kleiner
September 23, 2005 at 6:10 pm

When rendering AC-3 in Vegas,go into Custom settings and try the following:

Audio Service>Dialog normalization> -31.db
Preprocessing>Line Mode Profile> None

Gary
Eyewall
September 23, 2005 at 6:45 pm

Thanks Gary!

That worked beautifully. Any background on what those adjustments do to make that work? I’m always trying to understand the background…..or if it’s easier to point me to my own reference that would be a bonus.

Thanks again for your help!

Eyewall
Mike Kujbida
September 23, 2005 at 7:26 pm

Any background on what those adjustments do to make that work?

A 2 MB. pdf right from the source.
Dolby Digital Professional Encoding Guidelines
Remember, you asked for it 🙂
Lots more stuff on their site if you’re interested.

Mike
Eyewall
September 23, 2005 at 8:08 pm

Yowza!

Wow, that’s allot of background….and I asked for it! I did find the sections and understand a bit more which is good. Lots of homework to do….

Thanks Mike,

Eyewall
Peter Wright
September 24, 2005 at 12:13 am

… and don’t forget to save as a render template for next time.

Peter Wright
Perth, Western Oz
http://www.allroundvision.com.au
Eyewall
September 24, 2005 at 1:11 am

Thanks Peter,

I have been reading the Dolby Professional Guide ever since and playing with the custom feature with various outcomes. It looks like Vegas default sets Line Mode profile as Film:Standard, and by setting it to “None” my DVD becomes raw as intended with no recompression. And if I tweak the “Dialog Normalization,” towards -27 from -31, that I lower the levels to match my intended audiences TV set or DVD player. And by heading towards -20 that I would lower the level even more if the program is rock music or a loud program.

Is my understanding heading in the right direction?

Thanks again,

Eyewall

PS. I have been to Perth from Boston and abslutely loved it! Beautiful area. My current project actually involves OZ great, Paul Kelly.
Peter Wright
September 24, 2005 at 3:14 am

Hi Eyewall,

It sounds like you are finding out more than I know! To be honest I’m surprised that the “default” setting doesn’t maintain the same level as the previous wav audio.

I almost always use PCM wav for DVDs rather than AC3, since my content is usually less than an hour.

Your current project sounds interesting – tell me more. I saw Paul Kelly when he supported Dylan here a couple of years back.

Peter Wright
Perth, Western Oz
http://www.allroundvision.com.au
Eyewall
September 24, 2005 at 1:53 pm

Hi Peter,

Paul Kelly did an artsy-type film, “One Night The Moon,” which is unavailable over here and only in PAL, so a friend sent me a tape and I am converting it to an NTSC DVD….for personal use of course! It’s a very strange haunting story……..good little film.

I saw the same Bob Tour with PK in Melbourne when I was visiting. I enjoyed both.

Cheers from Boston,

Eyewall
Peter Wright
September 25, 2005 at 12:59 am

Yes, I remember that one – PK wrote the music and played a racist character, from memory – I wondered at the time how it must have been for him playing that part.

Peter Wright
Perth, Western Oz
http://www.allroundvision.com.au

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