Dual channel or multiple sound tracks for multi-language audio tracks - problems in X6

browj2 wrote on 4/21/2014, 10:27 PM

I just tried to create a project with 2 languages (French and English) as per the dual channel setup available in X6, but there is a problem with one of the languages on the DVD. I made several tests. When I burn the DVD and play it, selecting French works fine, but English gives a constant loud buzzing hum, with no other sound. I sent in a inquiry to Magix support as the information in the manual differs from what is on-screen during the burn process. There is no selection for creating a dual channel DVD.

Has anyone else tried and succeeded in doing this with X6 or X5? If so, how?

Here is the info in the manual on page 206:

Multiple sound tracks are provided for adding multiple audio tracks to the video for
selection via the disc's menu. This has primarily two main uses:
• Creating audio tracks for different languages

and on page 368:

Audio type: You can use MPEG Layer 1/2 audio or "AVCHD audio track". Select "No
audio" in the export dialog.

However, under the pop-down for Audio type, the selections are: MPEG layer 2; PCM; AC3. There is no MPEG Layer 1/2 or AVCHD audio track, or "No audio" in the selections.

Further on page 368:

Mode: You can use Mono, Stereo, Joint Stereo or Dual Channel. If the audio type

"AVCHD audio track" is used, "5.1 surround" mode may also be selected.
• Dual Channel enables encoding of two mono tracks (e.g. different language
sound tracks) that can be switched during playback.

However, there is no selection anywhere for Dual Channel. Thus either I am not seeing something or the manual is wrong, or the program is lacking.

Finally, there are many other things on the parameter screen that are not covered in the manual, but they should be.

The questions posed to Magix were:

What am I doing wrong? Or is there a problem with the program, since the parameter screens are missing things that are indicated in the manual?

I also submitted the pertinent screen shots.

Update 2014.04.23

Received message from Magix that this has been sent to the programmers and should be corrected in the next patch.......maybe.

Next question: What do we do with the titles that also need to be in 2 or more languages? I presume that the answer is 2 or movies on a DVD or Blu-Ray. This would obviate the need for dual track (multi-track) languages, except when there is nothing other than audio that differs.

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 4/28/2014, 11:52 AM

. . . . Next question: What do we do with the titles that also need to be in 2 or more languages? I presume that the answer is 2 or movies on a DVD or Blu-Ray. This would obviate the need for dual track (multi-track) languages, except when there is nothing other than audio that differs. . . .

That is what I do - two movies on one disc.

I could see a possible use where you also want for example a commentary only track and a commentary + music track available in two or more selectable languages.

John

browj2 wrote on 4/28/2014, 7:12 PM

Hi John EB,

I can't see that my question could be addressed without having the video compiled twice, i.e. as 2 movies, since the titles would be video.

However for the audio, that is different. X6 allows up to 8 different languages (when it works) and more than one track can be assigned to a language. See the image below. I have 2 tracks with French and 3 with English, but only 2 languages out of 8 allowed on the popdown. Thus I believe this addresses your comment about commentary + music track in two or more selectable languages. There can be several audio tracks assigned to each language. I tested this out in the Burn Preview. Problem is in the actual Burning, the dual channel feature parameter is not where it is supposed to be.

I really like this feature. Hope it gets fixed in the next release.

johnebaker wrote on 4/29/2014, 1:19 PM

. . . . since the titles would be video . . . .

Not if they are set up as subtitle or Closed captions which are independant of the movie and can be turned on/off.

There are some technical issues with Closed captions as these are specific to NTSC and are text only whereas Subtitles are created as images, both are displayed on the screen at appropriate moments as set by the subtitle/closed caption timing file.

John.

browj2 wrote on 4/30/2014, 12:27 AM

Hi John EB,

How does one set up for closed captioning?

I searched the pdf manual for "closed" "caption" "closed caption" and "subtitle" but found only two possible indications. One is on page 22 - "even rtf text files for captions;" the other on page 117 just above 3D text, beside the arrow, "Captions are not included in this."

Thanks,

johnebaker wrote on 4/30/2014, 12:23 PM

AFAIK most prosumer/consumer NLE's cannot do closed captioning directly.

There are many third party closed caption generators / software available to create the necessary extra files.

These extra files plus the video vobs or mp4's can then be integrated using a third party DVD creation software - my favourite was DVD Lab Pro 2 which you can make technically advanced DVD file stuctures, menus and actions.

John

browj2 wrote on 4/30/2014, 3:44 PM

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I thought that I had missed something in X6. For now, I will stick with the 2 video method if I need separate titles, or the dual channel audio if I only have audio to treat, if it gets fixed that is.

browj2 wrote on 8/26/2014, 10:07 AM

Update on new patch for X6

Magix informs me that the multi soundtracks problem has been fixed internally but cannot give a release date. It has been about 5 months now since the last patch and there are still serious problems with this "professional" program.

Magix goes on to say that patches are released incrementally and only certain fixes are released together to ensure overall stability.

I think that they are having trouble fixing everything, but it would be nice to have some kind of feedback on the forum telling us that they are at least doing something.