logo Sign In

Don't get technical with me...

Author
Date
Author
Time
Post link
This is a thread for technical questions about editing.


How do I covert a 5.1 surround audio track to a 2.0 stereo track?
And how do I convert a Letterbox 4:3 MPEG to anamorphic 16:9?

I know I’ve made some very poor decisions recently.

Author
Time
Post link
The best place to look for answers to both of your questions is at Doom9's forum: http://forum.doom9.org

You wouldn't walk into Blockbuster and ask about specs on a TV. Well, at least I wouldn't. People on Doom9 answered this sort of thing about four years ago. There's not much point in reinventing the wheel by hashing though it all again and again here.

What maybe should go here is some links to appropriate threads at Doom9. I'll see what I can do...
Author
Time
Post link
If you are converting a commercial DVD 5.1 soundtrack to 2.0, they usually have both soundtracks to begin with. You are better off using the existing 2.0 (which may be PCM) rather than simply converting the 5.1 to 2.0. From what I've read about it, it's actually kind of a tricky process, as you don't want the other speakers to overwhelm the dialogue.

Otherwise, you could just hook up your DVD analog stereo audio outputs to the input of your soundcard, and let the player downmix the 5.1 for you (as it and the soundtrack were designed to do.)

As to the video conversion, the best way would be to convert the MPEG to AVI first, and then use the video editor of your choice. I don't think you can just change the IFO files, because people were trying to do this with the ROTS rip and while it *did* make the picture more presentable, it still wasn't the correct aspect ratio.

Of course, I've not used every single program out there, so I won't say it's impossible.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
I've got one for you (and I've asked every wise man I know... think Lone Star there)...

How the heck can I demux a DTS into 5 separate WAV files. I've tried a couple of things, they've only given me errors and headaches. Please, get technical with me.
VADER: Let me look on you with my own eyes...

LUKE: Dad, where are your eyebrows?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WO_S6UgkQk0
Author
Time
Post link
Have you used BeSweet? I know it will work for AC3, but I don't know if it'll work for DTS.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
There is another way to do it. I don't remember the details but I think you use a combination of GraphEdit and Intervideo WinDVD (a version that decodes DTS).

The WinDVD components can be used as part of the graph, decoding the stream to a 6 channel WAV (I think). This method requires a soundcard capable of playing out 5.1 (like the Creative card I have which can play out of 3 stereo jacks), otherwise WinDVD won't decode to 6 channels.

Edit: you also might need the DTSWAV filter from here: http://hypercube.is.dreaming.org/

Like I said I can't remember the details, but hopefully this has given you a few hints (or a few more Google keywords).

DE
Author
Time
Post link
Would there be any glaring audio problems if I mixed a source with 5.1 with a 2.0 source? (Assuming that I was watching it on 2.0 speakers anyway.)

I know I’ve made some very poor decisions recently.

Author
Time
Post link
"There is another way to do it. I don't remember the details but I think you use a combination of GraphEdit and Intervideo WinDVD (a version that decodes DTS)."

This is highly likely, since I used both to help me create a 5.1 soundtrack from the 2.0 PCM tracks. Finding the details, however, will be difficult. Doom9 would be your best bet, as that's where I found the conversion process I needed.

"Would there be any glaring audio problems if I mixed a source with 5.1 with a 2.0 source? (Assuming that I was watching it on 2.0 speakers anyway.)"

That depends on 1) how you downmix your 5.1, 2) what sounds you are trying to edit, and 3) if your final product is 2.0. MagnoliaFan has made some fantastic audio edits with dialogue - and it sounds flawless.

Can you give us some idea about what you are trying to do?

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
Vegas 6/soundforge can create 5.1 soundfields and encode to ac3. I have read that decoding ac3 is not included in non-linear editors for piracy reasons. audio extractor This program says that it can decode ac3, wav, dts, all of it. Haven't had a chance to play with it yet.
16 years I wait and this is what I get???
Author
Time
Post link
An alternative to VobEdit, PgcDemux demuxes a DVD/VOB,IFO (PGC) in its elementary streams, video(m2v), audio(ac3,wav,dts,mpa) and subtitles(sup).
pgcdemux program


The solution to DVD Copy 1:1, IFOEdit allows users to parse VOB files, remove and add video, audio and subtitle streams to VOBs, create new IFO files, create DVD images. Also basic DVD Authoring. IFO edit

Some other programs that might help, again I haven't played with them...I will be attempting this soon myself. And thanks Mebejedi, for letting me keep bother you
16 years I wait and this is what I get???
Author
Time
Post link
No problem, and be careful with IFOEdit. For such a seemingly innocuous program, it's actually very powerful, and makes it very easy to screw up the DVD files. It's kinda like tinkering around with Regedit for Windows. I recommend backing up your IFO files before making any changes.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
I've got a bad burn of MF's Balance of the Force, in which the blue is pushed and the contrast is waay off. I talked to him about it in another thread and he says this was just a bad burn. So, I figured I'd just put it in Adobe Premiere Pro and adjust the levels and such. Well, got everything the way it should look and now I can't get the file out of the program. Whenever I go to burn it directly to a DVD from Adobe Premiere, I can't find settings to get the same file sizes he originally had. I just want to adjust the contrast and the blue (black) input levels and then put it back on his dvd (fresh burn). Can anyone help?
The Jedi are all but extinct.......
Author
Time
Post link
What you are describing doesn't sound like a "bad burn". Something of this nature wouldn't alter the properties of the video - it would render the disc unplayable.

If you are editing this in Adobe, then you are going to have to "Export" the video out. Now, I don't know if Adobe will output in MPEG form (since I use Vegas), but if it doesn't, then you'll have to output as an AVI and then encode to MPEG with another program. Lastly, you will have to re-master the files to make it ready to put on DVD. Unlike music CDs, you can't just drag-&-drop any file onto the disc and have it play in a DVD player.

Oh, and as to downmixing to 2.0, I ran across this in my bookmarks. Downmix discussion. I hope it helps.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
Yes, Adobe doesn't allow straight MPEG outputs. However, it does allow you to burn directly to DVD in DVD format. I was planning on burning the files to a DVD, then ripping the DVD and replacing the original ripped files with the new ones, then reburning. That is why I am trying to get them as close as possible to the originals in size.
The Jedi are all but extinct.......
Author
Time
Post link
"However, it does allow you to burn directly to DVD in DVD format."

It encodes to MPEG2 on the fly? That's interesting.

I don't think I would waste too much time trying to get the files to the same size. Burn the DVD, rip the VOBs, and then remaster. This is your best case scenario.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
Ok, I guess that's what I'll do. Yeah, apparently it does MPEG2 on the fly. Unfortunately, I have to figure out the right settings ie quality level 1-5 and CBR or VBR settings to get the video that *was* 3.85 GB and has only been color corrected and contrasted with NO SOUND, that is now 5.1 GB and won't allow me to record (obviously).
The Jedi are all but extinct.......
Author
Time
Post link
First off, you definitely want VBR (Variable Bit Rate). This assigns the minimum necessary bit rate for each scene, whereas CBR (Constant Bit Rate) will assign the same bit rate to all scenes regardless of content (very wasteful-big file sizes). If possible, look for an option for "2-pass VBR", to give the program a chance to analyze the video before applying the bit rate (though I'm guessing it won't be there.)

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
Unlike music CDs, you can't just drag-&-drop any file onto the disc and have it play in a DVD player.
That depends on the DVD player. The ones that are advertised as being able to play DivX files will generally play most anything. My brother got a cheap one at Wal-Mart (like this one) that plays most anything such as WMV, MPG, and DivX or XviD AVI's. It has a built in file browser so all you do is drop the files on a DVD or CD in ordinary "data disc" format. Of course, it also plays proper DVD's as well.
Author
Time
Post link
True, but that's not the kind of player I have in mind when mastering my DVDs, nor would those be considered "proper DVDs". I always aim for the highest compatibility possible. For instance, I only -R media.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: MeBeJedi
True, but that's not the kind of player I have in mind when mastering my DVDs, nor would those be considered "proper DVDs".
Indeed.
I always aim for the highest compatibility possible. For instance, I only -R media. "-R media" tends to be more compatible with stand-alone DVD players but with bitsetting (to DVD-ROM), +R media can be more compatible, even the most compatible. As far as the quality of the burn goes, I haven't seen many burns that are better than RICOHJPNR01 DVD+R's burned with my Liteon 812s@832s; which is why I stick with +R; i.e. because the famous RICOHJPNR01's are +R media and with bitsetting to DVD-ROM (the DVD player will "see" the media as a DVD-ROM, rather than a +R); they tend to be the most compatible. Of course, bitsetting to DVD-ROM only works with +R media; -R media will always be "seen" as -R media by the player:

http://maxim.skyphix.com/ricohjpnr01.PNG

The burns I get with that media and burner combination are unbelievably good, far better than a typical factory pressed DVD in regard to the PI and PO errors. When I posted that scan on the Club CD Freaks forum some time ago before I knew how to interpret it, these were some of the comments:

G@M3FR3@K
Senior Admin

Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Utrèg, The Netherlands
Posts: 8,189 Re: Interpreting Kprobe Scan Results?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General rule:
PI should not exceed 280 errors max.
PO should not exceed 4 errors max.

So your scan is a very nice one. More information on interpreting these scans can be found in our Media Forum and in Interpreting PI/PO error scans. Welcome to the forums MaximRecoil.
__________________
CDFreaks.com - Independent CD and DVD recording news around the clock!

philamber
Legal Senior Admin

Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: True Blue
Posts: 4,261 Re: Interpreting Kprobe Scan Results?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
What do those mean exactly? 280 errors max per what?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Per sample and both your PI max of 9 and average of .52 are extraordinarily low.
__________________
¿?*¤»~Hôw Çåñ ï m裏 ¥ôü ïf ¥ôü wôñ'± gô åwå¥~»¤*¿?

See the whole thread here.
Author
Time
Post link
My NEC 3250A does bitsetting, but I wanted that moreso for DL media (which I still haven't tried yet. Too many damn projects to get through. )

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: MeBeJedi
My NEC 3250A does bitsetting, but I wanted that moreso for DL media (which I still haven't tried yet. Too many damn projects to get through. )

Yeah, I haven't tried DL media yet either, though I have been wanting to. Is the media still ridiculously expensive? I haven't checked in a while but I think it was like $10 a disc when they first came out late last year. I remember reading a lot of mixed results from people who did try them. Most common was reports of people getting a noticeable pause during playback on the layer break, rather than the seamless playback of factory pressed DL DVD's. Speaking of which, I hope that the X0 project is done on DL media. If it were downloaded by someone who didn't have a DL burner and/or DL media, it would be a simple matter to run it through a transcoder such as DVD-Shrink. As far as through-the-mail distribution goes, it would be best (cheapest) to just burn the IFO and VOB files onto 2 inexpensive DVDr's as data discs and let the recipient do what they will with them, i.e. either make a single full quality DL DVDr from the files or run them through DVD-Shrink to make a single layer DVDr (and most likely save the 2 data discs for when DL media is cheaper).

Author
Time
Post link
The cheapest price I've found is $5 bucks apiece.

"Most common was reports of people getting a noticeable pause during playback on the layer break, rather than the seamless playback of factory pressed DL DVD's."

This is also a function of the player. My old Toshiba does this on all commercial DVDs.

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: Sadly, I believe the prequels are beyond repair.
<span class=“Bold”>JediRandy: They’re certainly beyond any repair you’re capable of making.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>MeBeJedi: You aren’t one of us.
<span class=“Bold”>Go-Mer-Tonic: I can’t say I find that very disappointing.</span></span>

<span class=“Italics”>JediRandy: I won’t suck as much as a fan edit.</span>

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Hardcore Legend
I've got a bad burn of MF's Balance of the Force, in which the blue is pushed and the contrast is waay off. I talked to him about it in another thread and he says this was just a bad burn. So, I figured I'd just put it in Adobe Premiere Pro and adjust the levels and such. Well, got everything the way it should look and now I can't get the file out of the program. Whenever I go to burn it directly to a DVD from Adobe Premiere, I can't find settings to get the same file sizes he originally had. I just want to adjust the contrast and the blue (black) input levels and then put it back on his dvd (fresh burn). Can anyone help?


I do know that there is now a few DVD's of the MagnoliaFan Edits floating around that have been converted from the XVIDS that I made and put up on myspleen.net; another fan mailed me a copy of one of them and it had (I tossed it already) no menu and random chapter stops + NON-anamorphic with 2.0 audio - The colors are WAY screwed and the contrast is to bright.

Sound like yours?

RiK

“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK