@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike

In the MediaInfo analysis if the audio is encoded as AC3 that is the issue - the 'Download package' will be the Dolby AC3 codec pack which is no longer available for older versions of MEP due to licensing issues with Dolby, and conversion is necessary to PCM encoded audio.

Exporting audio as AC3 is no longer possible in any versions of MEP.

John EB

@CarpentersMate @johnebaker

If AC3 is the issue, I've done a test convert of a VOB set (aka complete DVD movie) with Avidemux to convert the audio to MP2 and smart-render the video and it works well, and is easy too.

@AAProds

Hi Alwyn

. . .  convert the audio to MP2 and smart-render the video  and it works well, and is easy too. . . .

Agreed 👍

John EB

Hello Alwyn - Hello John - Nice to see you guys again

Just to clarify: For purposes of converting and 'archiving' Standard Def. DVD media for 'later editing'; after navigating MEP to the Disc, should I allow MEP to render the entire movie? Will that audio expansion pack always be prompted? And my understanding, (as Alwyn pointed out), 'VOB' is the desirable format for later editing be it in Final Cut or MEP ... ?

OR

If editing in MEP, you're saying I need to 'smart render' the VOB but convert the audio portion to MP2? If so, how do I go about doing that?

I couldn't find 'preferences' regarding 'Mediainfo'

This is what appears when the VOB is dragged onto the timeline: 'Building Frame Table For Quick MEPG'

Thank You

Mike

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike

It is shown in the tutorial video clip - it is under Options in the MediaInfo menu bar.

The Download package popup will show every time you load a video clip where the audio is encoded AC3

John EB

Yes John: "if the audio is encoded as AC3 that is the issue"

As Alwyn pointed out: "convert the audio to MP2 and smart-render the video"

John stated: "The Download package popup will show every time you load a video clip where the audio is encoded AC3"

I also mentioned/inquired:

For purposes of converting and 'archiving' Standard Def. DVD media for 'editing later'; after navigating MEP to the Source Disc .... Should I just cancel the audio package?

I'd like to archive/edit these VOB's at a later time ...

Thank you for your patience ...

Mike

Hello again John & Alwyn

Although I discovered the MP2 (sound conversion) still indicates 'A3', a wondershare VOB extraction will successfully play the audio if using MEP 2016 Plus for editing purposes ...

Thanks

Mike

@CarpentersMate

Mike, you should archive your DVDs in MPEG 2 format, with MP2 audio. Converting the DVD (or more accurately, the VOBs that make up the DVD) to MPEG 2 will result in one MPEG 2 file.

I've installed the trial of Wondershare. The downside is that it appears that it doesn't have a smart-copy feature for the video component of your files. I would suggest Avidemux to smart-copy your multiple AC-3 VOBs into one MPEG 2 with MP2 audio.

I'm making up an AVIDemux guide which will be ready tomorrow.

In the meantime, if you want to persevere with Wondershare, set the conversion to "MPEG" and set up the settings like this (I can't upload to the forum at the moment for some unknown reason):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TXsjWxOQtTwvNH_YVIQ6t01ElunFRMm8/view?usp=sharing

At the bottom, activate Merge all files and see how you go. That should produce one MPEG of about 5gb with MP2 audio. That should go into MEP OK.

@AAProds

Here you go Al.

@CubeAce

Cheers Ray, don't know what's going on here.

@AAProds

Hi Al.

It happens at random. Like everything else here 😆

Ray.

Hello Alwyn

Hello Ray

Hello John

Thanks for all your feedback!! ... (very sorry for the late replies) 😳

It would be great if MEP could render the audio properly with an MP2 export. *As Alwyn pointed out it would be a good file to archive as well, (as it retains a high data rate). But as John pointed out; "the Dolby AC3 codec pack is no longer available for older versions of MEP"

That's a shame because you can see it has a higher data rate (as Alwyn points out)

AND

So then John; do later versions of MEP export audio properly with regard to MP2 or VOB?

Yes Alwyn I see where you can 're-adjust' the resolution settings (with wondershare) ... (thank you for downloading the program and testing it)!

I know you guys aren't crazy about 'Quick Time Movie Files' however they also retain 4:3 while using 'players' or in the Final Cut Time Line ...

H.264 - AAC exports also work great ...

AND

Also this wondershare VOB looks and sounds great too!

"I would suggest Avidemux to smart-copy your multiple AC-3 VOBs into one MPEG 2 with MP2 audio"

Looking into it ....

Thanks again!

Mike

Alwyn ...

Is this the download for Avidemux Windows Install?

https://www.fosshub.com/Avidemux.html

Thank You ...

@CarpentersMate

Yes Mike, that's it. Sorry, my tute is taking longer than I expected.

Have a crack anyway.

Open the first VOB (that's VTS_01_1.VOB) and Avidemux will offer to open the rest as well. The total movie time will be shown at the bottom.

For Video Output, you want "Copy".

For Audio, go to the top audio menu and untick all tracks apart from No 1.

Then, down in the audio section, choose MP2 Lav as the format with bitrate 224, on "Filters" make the Resampling rate 48000.

Finally, for the Output format, choose MPEG PS Muxer.

Scroll through your combined VOBs showing the whole movie using the timeline at the bottom.

Then go File>Save and you'll get a smart-rendered MPEG 2 with MP2 audio. MEP will be able to open that OK. For archiving, just use that same MPEG.

@CarpentersMate @AAProds @johnebaker

Hi Mike.

I don't feel like I am the expert on this topic here but a few of your comments have me puzzled.

I was always of the impression that on an analog television that the very top of the image (and possibly the very bottom of the image) would never show and is the possible reason why on a digital screen why the image does not fit the enclosed area.

It would be great if MEP could render the audio properly with an MP2 export. *As Alwyn pointed out it would be a good file to archive as well, (as it retains a high data rate). But as John pointed out; "the Dolby AC3 codec pack is no longer available for older versions of MEP"

Do not confuse data rates to necessarily mean more or less quality. Differences in the Sampling frequency can change the shape of an audio signal and bit depth can change available volume, data rates are more to do with the encoding method and may have no bearing on perceived quality. Unless there is something else within the audio information such as amount of channels in the audio stream that can't be transferred across to another format, then a lack of data rate may not make a difference. You could copy files from both the resulting export of the audio against the original in an audio editor and compare waveforms to look for differences to confirm or debunk this idea. Personally I always let my ears decide if I can detect any degradation of the audio signal. If it is that bad you should hear it unless you have really degraded hearing.

That is not to say there will not be a difference, there may be, but not necessarily.

Ray.

@CarpentersMate @CubeAce

Mike, looking at Ray's comment re the fitting of that video into the VLC screen, if you measure the video frame on the screen with a ruler, you'll find it is exactly 1.33:1 ie 4:3. You just need to drag the sides of the VLC player window in a bit to get rid of the black sides. You can also check the dimensions of your files using Mediainfo.

Re Ray's comment about audio bitrate, I must admit that I don't pay a lot of attention to it, I just keep it nice and high. But it depends on what format you are using. Note that MEP has a max encode bitrate for AAC of 192, whereas a MP2 audio (for an MPEG 2 video export) the max is 384. I believe this is because of the better compression of AAC. And also, given that the audio is such a small part of the overall file size, I don't see any point in skimping on audio bitrate.

@CubeAce

Hi Ray

. . . . I was always of the impression that on an analog television that the very top of the image (and possibly the very bottom of the image) . . . .

You are correct for PAL there are lines missing top and bottom, usually there were 19 - 22 lines missing from the top and bottom depending on the TV manufacturer - these were to compensate for deficiencies in valves (vacuum tubes). that were available in the early stages of TV broadcast. When technology had improved, some of these missing lines were used to carry the Teletext data.

This is where we get the 576 pixel (PAL) and 480 pixel (NTSC) vertical resolution, the 720 pixel horizontal resolution is a 'fudge' as analog does not have a horizontal resolution.

@CarpentersMate

HI Mike

Ray is correct when he states 'Do not confuse data rates to necessarily mean more or less quality' - the higher bitrate of AC3 is a result of the compression method and the capability of AC3 to have up to 8 audio channels for surround sound 7.1.

John EB

@johnebaker

Thank you John as I was only ever involved with the audio side of analog broadcasting but had a 'hazy recollection' about the image side of analog broadcasts.

Ray.

Thanks all ... 😉

And I'm sure you'd agree: In the end for me, (it all boils down to) trying to keep the aspect ratio constant or as close to 4:3 as possible so as to avoid stretching/pulling/dragging out that canvas window.... Not Good (as I've stated previously working with SD), every pixel is precious ...

Thanks Alwyn - I'll give Avidemux a try ...

So then John; do later versions of MEP export audio properly with regard to MP2 or VOB?

And thank you all ...

Mike

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike

. . . . do later versions of MEP export audio properly with regard to MP2 or VOB? . . . .

That depends on what you mean by 'export audio properly'.this is too generic.

To be clear - MEP 2022 and VPX13 will import audio in AC3 surround sound or AC3 stereo format, however they will not export audio as AC3 surround sound or AC3 stereo.

MEP 2022 and VPX13 will export to mpg format video - MPEG Video Version 2, and audio - MPEG audio version 1, Layer 2 (MP2) which are two of the 'standard video/audio formats' for VOB/MPG files.

Note: MP2 as a file extension is an old audio file format, not video, and has been superseded by MP3 for audio files.

John EB

Thanx for the clarification ...

Regarding MP3's (in general), and I know others will debate this point, but I've gotten in the habit of trying not to use/insert them in MEP2016, (or use them for anything other than pleasure listening) on small devices. By nature they will not reproduce the same higher fidelity as an .Aiff or .Wav

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike

That is a valid point with MP3's - I use WAV files wherever possible, and mp3 if they are low level background music.

John EB