Descrepency between audio levels SVP/DVDA

[Mike Kujbida]

Gilles, see if the following “adjustment” will help to even things out.

Encode set to AC3;
Click on custom tab;
On the first tab set Dialog normalization to “-31”;
On the last tab marked Preprocessing;
Set the Line Mode & RF mode profiles to “None”;
Now save this as a preset.

[Gilles Gagnon]

OK Mike,
I’ve done this and will see.

So I understand/learn:

What is the reason for these changes from the stock template?
Are saying that these settings will result in higher volume?

Gilles

[Gilles Gagnon]

UPDATE:

The volume is significantly differs between the stock AC3 Pro template and both other AC3 files, the one using Mike’s settings and the the customizable ac3-Studio template.

I guess this explains the lower volume.
It is much lower. Arggghhh. I have to re-render all my audios, for all the videos in my DVDA project and replace the media.

Mike’s settings generated a file with Audio which was louder than the AC3-Pro stock, but not as loud as AC3-studio stock.

Can anyone shed some light? What is going on here?

Gilles

[Bob Peterson]

One thing that may be going on is that you have not been reading enough posts in the forum. These settings have been recommended several times in the past. I have a custom template set up so that I do not have to remember the “better” AC3 settings each time that I do a render. A search on AC3 or -31 might yield a fuller explanation.

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks Bob,

I did a search on this and indeed found some good threads. Mike has been all over this ac3 thingy 🙂

I re-rendered everything at ac3 using the Studio template. As stated before, my volume is now fine.

Q. What would I have to gain by re-rendering yet again in ac3 Pro using the settings recommended here? (by Mike)
(if the benefits are slim, I’ll leave well enough alone)

Cheers,
G

Gilles

[Mike Kujbida]

Gilles, what you’ll gain is audio levels that are closer to what you heard in Vegas. Compared to MPEG-2 files, AC-3 render times aren’t that long, even for a 2 hr. program, so go ahead and do it.

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks Mike.
I have several projects to re-render and some also have several videos per DVD. Hence looking to cut corners and get this burned 🙂

That’s why I was asking.
G

Gilles

[Will Kenworthy]

Guys,

It is definitely an ac3 template problem and there is more to it than using the studio version or just setting dialog normalization to -31 (although it is important that it be set to this value).

Go to the Preprocessing tab under customize template. Then make sure Digital DE-emphasis is unchecked, line mode profile and RF mode are set to none. Also make sure RF over-modulation protection remains not checked.

Under the Bit-stream Tab also make sure that Include audio production information is not checked.

These changes to the template were discovered with hard learned lessons and a lengthy process of trying to figure out how to get adequate volume “out” of Vegas and “into” DVD Architect.

It goes back to Vegas version 5 and DVD Architect version 2.

It still holds true today.

These settings included in the pro version of the ac3 encoder included in Vegas are indeed for various types of Dolby Surround.

The ac3 encoder can do an excellent job at Dolby Surround but it takes tons of research and experimentation to “get it right”

I’ve used the template with the modifications I’ve outlined above and had very good results. Give them a try, I think you will get good results as well …

Will

[Stephen Crye]

Giles, had the same problem, used to drive me crazy, but there is an easy fix.

I’m not at my Vegas computer right now, so this is from memory.

First, be sure to render the video stream separate from the audio. For audio use .ac3 pro. When you open DVDA, if the .ac3 file is in the same folder as the .mpg, it will auto-link the audio.

In the audio template for the AC3 Pro render, somewhere there are tabs or settings for gain. One of them will make the audio on the DVD better match what you hear in SVP.

I’ll check this out tonight and give you the exact setting.

Win7 Pro X64 on Dell T7500, MultiTB SATA, 8GB RAM, nVidia Quadro 2000, Vegas 12, 11, 10, 9 DVDA 6.0 & 5.2(build 135) Sony HDR-CX550V, Panasonic GH3 with LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH, LUMIX G X VARIO 35-100mm / F2.8

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks Stephen,
I wonder if it’ll be the same settings the other fellas have mentioned here?
I look forward to hear of yours.
For now, I’ve been rendering using the Studio template.
G

Gilles