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ADigitalMan's Guide to MPEG2/AC3 Editing — Page 4

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"the output file from VirtualDubMod is a projected 250GB and I only have a 150GB drive ! Is there a way to modulate the size of the outputted file without compromising quality (too much ?). Probably a pipe dream, I know - but thought I'd ask"

I'm away from my main computer, but look under the Video menu (I think), and then Compression (someone please correct me.) You will see a list of codecs, and I'm betting that the first setting - Uncompressed/RGB - is selected. The codec of choice on these boards is called HuffyUV, and it'll get your filesize down well below 100GBs.

<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>

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Great guide and im really getting a kick out of understanding more about video files etc. But how do I get the audio and the video back together? It wont allow me to do this in tmpgENC.

ahh, I see it advises you do this in the editing package.

Do you guys do it this way now or do you re merge the audio and video and then edit from that?
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ok, iv started this again today and am still having problems. Would really appreciate it if someone could help

When using Womble to fix the time code issues I go into tools and select the relevant option. Then by default it selects an output...but when i click start i cant find the output anywhere! it doesent save it. any ideas why this is happening?


EDIT: ahh, it appears because it has found no errors. So hopefully no juddering
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I apolgise for all the questions in the past two days guys. Feel free to delete the two posts I created. Basically im trying to do to much in a short space of time. Need to take short steps etc.

Firstly, I need to extract the audio using the method described in this thread.

With regards to Step 3:

It mentions converting 4x3 interlaced video to 16:9 anamorphic... (Im doing Attack of the Clones...do I ever need to do the step of amending the AviSyntch script? or is this for movies which are not anamorphic?)

Basically Iv followed this to the letter. But I believe my version of tmpgenc is a different version.

When I import the video I get the following options:

Pixel 1:1 (Square Pixels)
Pixel 10:11 (NTSC 4:3)
Pixel 40:33 (NTSC 16:9)
Pixel 12:11 (PAL 4:3)
Pixel 16:11 (PAL 16:9)
Image 4:3
Image 16:9
Image 2.21.1

It also asks me if I want the video mode to be progressive or interlaced. Iv kept it to progressive because the short preview indicates no interlacing (black lines etc. so thats fine by me)

But which of the above settings do I use? Choosing Pixel 40:33 (NTSC 16:9) puts black bars on the top and bottom. If I did this though wouldnt it lose its anamorphic properties?
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AOTC doesn't need the AVISynth work. It's all already 16:9 progressive.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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ahh, cheers ADigitalMan.

I have another question...(sorry about all these!). I want to use Adobe Premier to edit my footage but with the MPG I have, im unable to load it up into Premier. One way around this is to convert this MPEG to avi...but if i do this, even with HuffyUV compression (or no compression at all) will it affect how the file looks?

Essentially---is it better to use the MPG file and not AVI?

Or shall I use DVD2AVI instead?
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I'll leave this question to somebody more qualified like MeBeJedi, who hopefully is listening.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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ADigitalMan, you wrote this in a previous post.

" I still get the sync problem from time to time even though I always flag file splitting off.

My solution has ultimately been to calculate the final number of frames off the result is, and stretch/squeeze the reference audio file that number of frames, then sync all my edits to the altered reference file. Seems to do the trick great. "

Could you please expand on this? I've been having troubles with audio/video sync, and I'm wondering what the best solution is. Are you stretching the audio in Vegas? Is there a way of doing this in Womble? Thanks.
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In Womble, export your audio as a WAV file. Then load your new audio and new video into a new, temporary womble project. See how many frames off the result is.

Then, go to Vegas and load in the WAV file created above as a reference file. Hold down the control key while pushing/pulling the end of the WAV file the number of frames noted above. This will time compress/expand the WAV file. Then sync all your clips to this reference file. Be sure to mute the reference file before you export.

Works like a charm for me every time. If you have long clips to sync, it is best to sync them in the middle of the clip rather than the beginning or the end, as they may get "off" a little because of the time difference. This keeps them from getting off a noticible amount. If you have a REALLY long clip to sync, you may want to splice it in a few places and crossfade a frame or so, just to force it to stay in sync.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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"I'll leave this question to somebody more qualified like MeBeJedi, who hopefully is listening."

I just got back home last night.

"One way around this is to convert this MPEG to avi...but if i do this, even with HuffyUV compression (or no compression at all) will it affect how the file looks?

Essentially---is it better to use the MPG file and not AVI?"

Really depends on what you want to do with the video. If you are just cutting or rearranging scenes from the DVD, then I would recommend Womble (which would make you ADM's problem, rather than mine, since I have no experience with this program. ). This has the added benefit of keeping the original MPEG source undisturbed.

If you are adding/removing visual information, or making difficult splices with audio or video overlaps, then you are probably better off making an AVI of it. One thing that will likely happen is the reds will change slightly, so if you are fussy about the colors, you should do some color correction.

Vegas will import VOBs and MPEGs, but you need the MainConconcept MPG-2 plug-in. Also, native MPEG editing can be very slow, depending on the size of the video file. If you have the room, you are better off importing the MPEG, rendering out an AVI, and then importing the AVI for your editing work. Then you can render out the final product to a new MPEG. The drawback to all this is that the original MPEG is already compressed, and you are recompressing that visual data when you make the new MPEG. As such, you will probably notice many color differences between the master MPEG and your new MPEG. Experiment until you get the look that you want.

<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>

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Originally posted by: MeBeJedi

I'm away from my main computer, but look under the Video menu (I think), and then Compression (someone please correct me.) You will see a list of codecs, and I'm betting that the first setting - Uncompressed/RGB - is selected. The codec of choice on these boards is called HuffyUV, and it'll get your filesize down well below 100GBs.


Is HuffyUV lossless btw, so as to allow for multiple compressions/decompressions in order to save space during the edit phase?

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Yes. This is why we use it for the X0 Project.

[EDIT]

BTW, when you use it, go to the Huffy settings and make sure it is set for YUV, rather than RGB (The box on the right). This will insure the smallest filesize.

<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>

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  • In Vegas, create a "5.1 Surround DVD" project.
  • Load the stereo wav you exported in Womble. This will be your reference file and will be muted out of the final mix.
  • Drag in each of your six mono files into individual tracks. Label them, so you know which is which. Check the alignment (I usually slam them all as far left as they will go) then GROUP them together so they will be edited and moved together. This is VERY important.
  • Set up the correct sound panning for each of these tracks so that they go to the correct channel in the final mix.
  • If your export had audio drift issues, here is where you would squeeze your stereo reference file the required number of frames. This method has been quite effective at "re-synching" a file for me. Squeeze the source, then align the "unsqueezed" files at each edit point.
  • Using your ears and eyes, align the audio to the reference file.
  • Add in new tracks with the deleted audio as necessary. Split the main movie according to the splits your ears tell you, line up a new scene, realign everything afterward. Keep going through this process until all your edits are re-created. Vegas has lots of fading options that can make for smoother transitions than straight cutting. Experiment.
  • SAVE OFTEN!!!
  • When you're satisfied, mute out the reference channel, then select "Render as" from the file menu. Be sure you're exporting to a 5.1 DVD.
  • Volunteer at a soup kitchen and use the downtime to help out somebody in your community. When you get back the file should be done.
  • Load the final video file with your new Audio file into a new (temporary) Womble project to preview how well they synch up. Pay special attention to the places you edited. If necessary, make changes and re-render the AC3 file or, even the Womble project if you notice issues in the video. It takes a lot of finessing.



    • I have created a surround file the way you described it with Vegas.
    I then imported this soundfile into Womble and edited the video and cut the audio to fit the video.

    I then exported the movie (m2v file), and checked if it still was surround sound. According to my computer, it was AC3 5.1 surround.

    Then to double-check it, I let DVD Lab Pro split the audio from the m2v file, I split the 6 audiochannels again into 6 mono channels, but now suddenly every channel is the same. Each channel has suddenly the voice from the center track in it.

    Do you know if I did something wrong or what is going on?

    Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

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    Go back to your original Vegas project and be sure that your channels are mapped properly. By default, each track is mapped to all five speakers. Turn off all but the correct one on each track and re-export. If you re-export it to the same file name as before, you shouldn't have to re-do all those edits in Womble.

    Hope that solves it for you.
    I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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    Originally posted by: ADigitalMan
    Go back to your original Vegas project and be sure that your channels are mapped properly. By default, each track is mapped to all five speakers. Turn off all but the correct one on each track and re-export. If you re-export it to the same file name as before, you shouldn't have to re-do all those edits in Womble.

    Hope that solves it for you.


    Hmn, I thought I had the configuration right about my surround sound, but it seems it was not right. I have muted all channels but one, and I can still hear it in every speaker.
    Here's a screenshot of my configuration:
    screenshot

    I rendered as a surround sound.

    Can you tell me what I have done wrong?


    EDIT Oct. 8th:
    I noticed I only heard the center channel, the other channels didn't play. I tested my surround sound on my computer, and it works.

    In Vegas, with each channel I had clicked on the speaker that it should be. But because of this, somehow I couldn't hear it.

    I have dragged each orange figure to each speaker, and then I can hear it.

    But after with rendering, I play the AC3 with Media Player Classic, and I hear the same things in each speaker, which is not the case when I preview the file (before saving) in Vegas.

    I really don't know what to do...

    Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

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    Hello ADM,

    First of all kudos to your excellent work on your edits !!! Thumbs up to your guide too.

    I attempt to repair/add missing Dubbed soundtracks to some of my DVDs, as some of them were never released with them to begin with, or were released with out-of-synch tracks.
    French being my original language, I intend to restore the original French Tracks to Superman the Movie, and The Towering Inferno.
    To get some practice, I started with one DVD that needs an audio track to be re-synched.

    Following your guide, I got no problem setting up Womble MPEG Video Wizard Dvd and DVD Decrypter.
    I'm now done with the editing of my missing track. On top of re-synched, it needed some parts of the other track to be completed.

    Here is my question :
    On page 1 you advised ReverendBeastly to edit his track and then remux it to the original video file.
    I tried several things for hours in Womble but I'm still stuck. At best I was able to get a Video File with 1 Audio Track.
    Could you elborate for a noob on specifically how to remux 2 audio tracks to the original video file in Womble, and then burn it back onto a DVD ?

    EDIT : Alternatively, it is my understanding that I could just remux the modified track back to the ripped content of the DVD. Here again how exactly do you do that in Womble ?

    Thanks a gazillion and keep up the excellent work !!!
    Do you expect me to talk ?
    No Mister Bond I expect you to DIE !
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    Templar, if you are synching multiple tracks with the intent of having them as multiple streams, I recommend muting track1, exporting everything, then unmuting track 1, mute track 2, export everything again to new file names, then throw away the duplicate video file. You should have two tracks synched to the same video.

    I hope that helps. It sounds like it might address your issue.
    I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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    Maurice, you have the mute/unmutes in reverse. Blue=on, grey=muted. Switch them around and you should be good to go. Sorry to take so long to respond. I've been offline for several days.
    I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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    Originally posted by: ADigitalMan
    Maurice, you have the mute/unmutes in reverse. Blue=on, grey=muted. Switch them around and you should be good to go. Sorry to take so long to respond. I've been offline for several days.


    Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

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    Originally posted by: ADigitalMan
    Maurice, you have the mute/unmutes in reverse. Blue=on, grey=muted. Switch them around and you should be good to go. Sorry to take so long to respond. I've been offline for several days.

    I will give it a try, but I'm not sure if it's gonna turn out okay.

    In the mean time, I have saved all streams as a mono wav file and compiled an AC3 audio with an other program. I will try it tonight with Vegas.

    Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

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    Works like a charm, thank you very much. The only problem is the volume is somehow changed....??

    Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

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    Changed how? Can you up another screen shot?
    I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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    I fixed most of the volume now, there's only 1 "problem".
    You know in Terminator 3, when the Terminator goes shopping, there's a song "Dat Funky Man" playing out loud? When I play the compiled movie, the song is almost gone, very muted down somehow. I only hear it when the Terminator steps outside, but that's because the song's volume is cranked up in that part.

    Could it be the case because when compiling the AC3 sound, it does something 27db (lowering the volume with 27 db or something like that, it's the default configuration of the surround sound in Vegas).

    Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.

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    Is the song only present in one of the channels? If it's mixed in (as I'd expect) then it should be at the same level as all other ambient noise in the channel.

    Beyond that, I have no idea.
    I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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    I have mixed it again, but it's still the same. It looks like some background sounsd have gained volume, while the background music has lost some volume. I don't think I'm going to re-do it, especially if it's too much work now. The fancut is completely ready, I'm now busy with the menu. Do you know what could have been the problem with the sound? All the channels did have the same volume in Vegas...

    Same Make. Same Model. New Mission.