Surround Sound in DVDA?

M

Mark Seibert

Well-known member
Hey All, I've been trying to work with Surround Sound, and have finally got Vegas 8.0a configured correctly with my system. I have successfully rendered out a wmv 5.1 surround sound test video that tests each individual channel when played on my system using mediaplayer - and it works great :laugh:

However, when I render the files for DVDA (The mpg and ac3 files) and then play them in DVDA all I get are the front channels. Is there some kind of audio configuration that I need to do with DVDA like I did with Vegas when I selected the different drivers for the 6 different channels? I've already set the project in DVDA to be surround, but it seems to not be working. Any ideas why?
 
I tried a quick experiment using the same workflow I've always used to create 5.1 DVDs, and I get the same result as you with Vegas 8. I don't have time right now to explore it further; it could be a workflow change of some kind, or it could be a V8 bug. If it's a bug, it's a ludicrous one, and it ought to be addressed without delay.

Check out the Sony Media Software Vegas forum and see if they have any insights.
 
Using DVDA Pro 4.5, if you create a New Project, there is a Project audio format that can be set to AC-3 5.1 Surround.

Also, when you 'Make DVD', and get to the Review Message List window, you can use the 'Optimize' button to access the Project audio format.

I hope that helps.
 
Thanks for confirming this David. I have an open tech support issue with Sony on this and have given them my test files. I just updated them with all this new information right now it looks like this might actaully be a bug. I'm not sure if it's a render issue or a DVDA issue. If you have any insights I'd be happy to pass them along. Thanks for your help.
 
I've tested the new versions (Vegas 8.0b, and DVDA 4.5b). These seem to still have this bug. Any audio isolated to the rear channel ends up on the front channels when rendered as AC3. The only surround sound render I have found to work is the WMV format.
 
The problem appears to be in DVD Architect 4.0 or later. A 5.1 file rendered from V8.0 appears as 5.1 surround in DVDA 2.0 or 3.0, but as "stereo downmix" in 4.0 or 4.5.
 
Thanks David - I will pass that information along to the tech support person at Sony who has been working on this with me.
 
David, I've gone back to a previous version (3.0) and found the same thing - files appear as stereo mixdown in anything 4.0 or later. However, in 3.0 I still do not hear 5.1 sound in the preview in DVDA. Can you confirm this behavior? Have you ever got 5.1 sound to work in DVDA in the preview mode?
 
It's been a while since I've done a 5.1 track -- I don't remember if it did or not. I do know I've done several successful 5.1 DVDs with 3.0.

I can't test it right now, because there's something wrong with my audio card and I've been lazy about getting it replaced.

I suggest burning a test.
 
Just in case anyone is interested - it turns out that DVDA does not support 5.1 playback in preview mode. This was the biggest part of my problem. Once I Sony confirmed this, the rest was easy to narrow down and was mostly opperator malfuntion. Just FYI -
 
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