Ulead VideoStudio audio sync issues [Archive] - VideoReDo MPEG Editor Forums

View Full Version : Ulead VideoStudio audio sync issues

crauen

03-20-2005, 01:21 AM

DanR

03-20-2005, 02:41 AM

Which build of VideoReDo are you using? If you're not using Build #320, please download a copy from here and give it a try: ftp://beta:beta@videoredo.net There's a field order fix that might help.

If not, look for messages on this board authored by PHD, he's posted a number of Ulead fixes and settings.

crauen

03-20-2005, 04:52 AM

Version 1.6.2.284 - October 20, 2004 - at least that's the "version" I was using (has recently expired). Trust the build you recommend is newer?

Thanks...I will give it a shot.

-Chris

phd

03-20-2005, 08:54 AM

Apparently there have been innumerable complaints about Ulead VS8.

I do not have VS8 but do have VS6 and 7. I have not used them for authoring as I always used DMF. VS8 has a very limited feature set of options for authoring and burning as it is primarily an editor and they added some authoring capabilities.

Many people are describing the A/V sync issue in VS8 as a major bug that has never been fixed. If fact there are quite a few recommendations to completely uninstall VS8 and reinstall it without any patches!

I personally recommend installing the patches in chronological order.

There is a web board for Ulead products which I would recommend you register for. There is a forum specifically for VS. Read the announcement, "PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE POSTING A PROBLEM ON THIS FORUM" There are a bunch of tips to properly set up VS8 as well as recommendaed workflow solutions. One of the first is the recommended order of installation of the patches. Follow the recommended installation order. There are certain components within the patches that are updates. Installing an older one after a newer one will overwrite some of the fixes.

For burning a DVD in VS8 here is the recommended procedure:
(Heed the warning about no files in the timeline. In fact start VS8 fresh to author a DVD. I recommend authoring to a folder on your hard drive and burning as a separate step.)
Burn DVD Phase
Caution: Never try to Create a DVD with anything in the timeline.

1. Select NEW project.
2. If you are in PAL country, Select FILE/Project Properties/Edit/Compression tab select Media Type = PAL DVD.
3. Select SHARE/Create Disc
4. Press Add Video. Navigate to select your new Mpeg video file. It will appear in the lower display
5. Click the little Gear-Shaped icon on the lower left, second to the right
6. Press "Change Mpeg Settings", then press "Customize," then the "Compression" tab.
7. Media Type should already be selected. Push the quality slider to 100%.
8. Set Bitrate = Variable, and enter your bitrate number from the property list on your wall (or 8000 kbps for good quality DVD).
9. Set every other property to match the property list on your wall.
10. Now press Add/Edit Chapters and use the jog bar set up your DVD Menu entry points.
11. Press Next. Now edit your DVD Menu labels, choosing each one from the selector at the top.
12. Optional Step: You can save all this by pressing "Close". Select FILE/SaveAs and name this project "BURN Project" or something like that. Then press SHARE/Create Disc again, and everything should still be there.
13. Skip to the last screen, Check Record to Disk. Uncheck the next two options.
14. Verify the Required vs. Available disc space.
15. Hit the Output button. Burning should take about 30 minutes at 4x
I have not tried this procedure so I cannot say whether or not it works. Based upon the above procedure, there does not appear to be a checkbox for "Do not convert compliant..." as there is in DMF. This may be the kiss of death because it may have to rerender your video files which can take time as well as potentially introduce A/V synv issues. Let me know whether or not they have an option for that as I do not have the product.

Currently DMF4 has been released and there are deep discounts in stores for DMF3. Some as low as $0.00 after rebates! You might want to consider that as well as other options for authoring if this does not work.

crauen

03-20-2005, 05:52 PM

Thanks for all the detailed tips.

Yes, there is a checkbox in VS8 for "Do not covert compliant MPEG files," which I always have checked, so the rendering is much faster and more accurate.

If Movie Factory is a better product/burner then perhaps I should look into it, but I will try the steps you mentioned first. I also need to install an updated version of Video ReDo, as it seems I have an older "build" from last year that I was trying to use.

-Chris

phd

03-21-2005, 10:18 AM

crauen

03-21-2005, 05:50 PM

There doesn't seem to be a trial download of dmf available at all on the Ulead website. I guess they're coming out with version 4 but I have no idea how that one will handle files from Video ReDo. Haven't seen many other alternatives as most posts here appear to deal with Movie Factory, and since I'm already using (and purchased awhile back) VideoStudio, that's fine...I'd sure like to be able to make it work.

Unfortunetly I've tried to burn files from ReDo in VS8 this weekend, followed the tips, and no luck - file is totally out of sync. Not sure what I've overlooked.

frankhad

03-21-2005, 06:48 PM

Has anyone else tried yet another Ulead product called VideoStudio 8? It's not the same as MovieFactory, doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but was wondering if anyone knew if the burning component was the same in this program as it is for MovieFactory? I've been trying to burn files with VideoStudio and the audio/video is way out of sync, much in the same way as people have described with the other Ulead products. I have tried with both the MovieFactory option checked & unchecked, and still get the same results when burned.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. -Chris

I have UVS8 but can't tell you if the burning component is the same as Movie Factory. As I view the various update packs available on the Ulead site, it seems that it just may be the same. (The same ULCDRDrv.dll update pack seems to apply to VideoStudio, Movie Factory (up thru version 3) and other Ulead products as well.

http://www.ulead.com/tech/general/burning_engine.htm

But even if you update the burning module, I can almost guarantee you'll stll have audio/video sync problems. You see, I don't think the problem lies in the burning engine at all, but in the final rendering process.

I've been using VideoStudio ever since version 6 came bundled with my first DVD burner. I updated to version 7, and again to version 8 last December. I have always had problems with VideoStudio no matter what version I've used.

Thanks to VideoReDo, I only use UVS8 for authoring when I find it's not possible in another authoring program I'm currently testing -- (DVD-Lab.)

(Just this past week I had a video which wouldn't compile properly in DVD-Lab. For some reason it kept dropping frames during the final compilation. So I loaded the video in UVS8. turned off all rendering processes and authored the video from there.) Since I never burn DVDs through UVS8, but DO experience OOS when SmartRender is kept active, I'm sure the OOS problem lies within this phase and not in the Ulead burning engines.

Once I find an Authoring program on which I can rely, I'll be deleting all iterations of Ulead VideoStudio from my system.

f

crauen

03-21-2005, 07:36 PM

"SmartRender" is an option for saving files that are edited in VS8 - did you edit *and* author your video with Ulead? The only preferences they seem to give in the Create Disc stage are "Perform non-square pixel rendering," "Anti-flickering filter," and "VCD compliant." I also have the box checked that says, "Do not convert compliant MPEG files." If you successfully brought your edited video from ReDo to VideoStudio 8 and burned it without a problem, what settings did you use?

Forgot to ask: You mentioned you're using a program called "DVD-Lab." I've found a few other references to it in the forums but not a ton of detail - is this an easy program to work with & are there a number of menu options (layouts, backgrounds, etc) to choose from? Thanks,

frankhad

03-21-2005, 07:50 PM

These suggestions were from other users on the Ulead web board. I would suggest looking at some of the other tips there as well.

Try the demo of DMF to see if it meets your needs before purchase. Also you may want to try some of the DVD authoring alternatives mentioned by others on the forum if its a new purchase.

I'm at a momentary "cross-roads" regarding the use of various authoring programs. As indicated by another of my posts in this thread, I've been using UVS8 (which I intend to toss once I'm sure I'll never use it again) and I'm also 6 days away from the expiration of my trial version of DVD-Lab.

I happen to like much of what DVD-Lab offers but when I finally plunk down my money for an authoring program, I want to spend it on a program on which I can rely and be happy, and not one that has presented the kind of on-going problems experienced with UVS8.

I notice here in this discussion group, you are the "Resident Expert" :-) on Ulead Movie Factory. Since I am a UVS8 licensed user, I qualify for an upgrade to Movie Factory 4 at the upgrade price. However, I wouldn't consider purchasing another product from Ulead without a prior (free) trial. Unfortunately, there is no trial yet available on the Ulead website for MF4. So, I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing some insight on your experience with Movie Factory?

I'm particularly interested in MF's ability to allow the creation of custom menus and templates -- the same factor I find so appealing in DVD-Lab.

Typically, all my videos come from cable TV programs I've captured directly to my hard drive via an ATI All-In-Wonder 9600 XT video card. I bring this video into VideoReDo, edit and trim unwanted clips (usually commercial ads) and prepare the video for submission to the authoring program.

In DVD-Lab, I'm able to create custom-made menus and the chapter menus using PaintShopPro which I can easily drop into the DVD-Lab project. Since Ulead seems to use proprietary (UFO) file designations, I'm wondering if I'd have the same custom menu-making ability with Movie Factory. Or, would I be relegated to using ONLY Ulead templates which can only be made by a Ulead product (PhotoImpact) and must carry the Ulead File Object (ufo) file designation?

In short, just what possibility is there to design and create custom-made templates, menus and chapter menus, complete with linking buttons (objects) using Ulead Movie Factory? If it can be done, can it be done using another image-creation product such as Paint Shop Pro; or must it be done with a Ulead product?

As mentioned, I like much of what DVD-Lab does, but I do seem to have quite a problem keeping chapter points exactly where they were initially created -- even WITH Frame Indexing and no matter how meticulous I go about setting them initially. Once the final compilation has completed, I find it necessary to replay the compilation in PowerDVD, locate the exact I-Frames of the preferred chapter points, record the chapter points in a notepad document and import them into the project. I then re-compile the project again and the new chapter points are (finally) where I wanted them in the first place.

Thanks for any advice and guidance you can provide.

f

bitter_old_man

03-21-2005, 08:54 PM

frankhad

03-21-2005, 11:30 PM

I'm testing DVDLab Pro and I've found the best way to set chapter points is to locate the desired I frames in VRD, write the timecode of each one to a text file and import the file. I've not had to change any chapter points afterwards.

Barry

I sure don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I do exactly as you suggest: Locate the chapter points in VideoReDo, type them (hh:mm:ss:I-Frame) into a notepad document and import them to my DVD-Lab project. While those chapter points may register the same point in DVD-Lab, I find the video in DVD-Lab isn't precisly the same as was in VRD at the same point. (Not sure if that made any sense.) :-)

Don't know whether you've ever noticed, but ALL I-Frames in DVD-Lab are listed as :00 or :15. That is to say, a chapter point I might identify and in VRD as 00:01:40:23 will NOT transfer to DVD-Lab at that same, precise point, but rather will register as 00:01:40:00 or 00:01:40:15 or 00:01:41:00. No DVD-Lab GOP deviates from the xx:xx:xx:00 or xx:xx:xx:15 I-Frame. Further, because of the (different) manner in which DVD-Lab seems to process GOPs, it may place a chapter point exactly (or close to) where I've indicated, but the video at that point is no longer the same point in the video it was in VRD. The later into my video it goes, the further the video moves from the point I originally intended.

Please bear in mind, I typically create long videos. Last week, for example, I created a DVD of a 4-hr movie which was captured from PBS. (Dr Zhivago) After I've authored and compiled, I then process in DVD-Shrink in order to fit this 4-hr movie to a standard DVD-5. Because this video was so long, and because DVD-Lab processes GOPs the way it does, by the time my video reached the last 1/2 hour of each 2-hr segment, my chapter points kicked in some 4-5 seconds later than was originally identified in VideoReDo. (The chapter point was where it should have been, but the video was now at a later spot by some 4-5 seconds.)

I can work around this by running the compiled Video_TS (IFO) in PowerDVD and identify where the new chapter points should go. But it means I now must re-author (remove and recreate chapter points and scene menus and add appropriate links) and then re-compile which, for a video of this length means another 2:30 just to compile.

f

bitter_old_man

03-21-2005, 11:56 PM

That's really strange. Most of the things I'm recording are musical performances from TV and I'm putting in chapter points at the beginning of songs. I usually put the chapter point a little bit before the actual song start, so I may have enough leeway so that if the chapter moves a little, I don't notice it. Or perhaps Pro does things a little differently than standard.

I don't know if it works the same way in the standard version, but in the Pro help file, there is this "If you like to use Frame-Index for Chapter Points you will have to enable "Create/Use Frame-Index ..." in the compile window. If you don't enable it, a GOP timecode will be used even if you have index created."

And this: "Normally the GOP timecode and the displayed Frame timecode should be close, but sometimes there may be a slight discrepancy of a few seconds or so if the MPEG is in drop-frame format - this is nothing to worry about. The Frame displayed timecode is calculated from the frame number, frame-rate and pulldown. In rare cases, the GOP timecode and the Frame-Index based timecode may differ by more than a few seconds. The Frame-Index based timecode is the accurate one."

Barry

frankhad

03-22-2005, 01:30 AM

That's really strange. Most of the things I'm recording are musical performances from TV and I'm putting in chapter points at the beginning of songs. I usually put the chapter point a little bit before the actual song start, so I may have enough leeway so that if the chapter moves a little, I don't notice it. Or perhaps Pro does things a little differently than standard.

Perhaps there IS a difference between DVD-Lab Standard and DVD-Lab Pro. I've been testing the Standard version. Admittedly, I may be a bit more anal about chapter points than most, but such things as where a new chapter begins are important to me. I look to start a chapter in a manner that brings no audio remnants from the preceeding chapter. Or, I want to chapter at the beginning of a musical cue.

I don't know if it works the same way in the standard version, but in the Pro help file, there is this "If you like to use Frame-Index for Chapter Points you will have to enable "Create/Use Frame-Index ..." in the compile window. If you don't enable it, a GOP timecode will be used even if you have index created."

It not only works the same way, but I routinely do create a Frame Index on all my DVD-Lab projects. As I said, the chapter point I input into the video project does compile to the correct spot I've recorded on the notepad import; but the video itself somehow differs after the final compilation. I assume it is due to the way DVD-Lab time stamps its video and creates GOPs.

Thanks for your time & attention, Barry

f

phd

03-22-2005, 08:39 AM

I'm at a momentary "cross-roads" regarding the use of various authoring programs. As indicated by another of my posts in this thread, I've been using UVS8 (which I intend to toss once I'm sure I'll never use it again) and I'm also 6 days away from the expiration of my trial version of DVD-Lab.

I happen to like much of what DVD-Lab offers but when I finally plunk down my money for an authoring program, I want to spend it on a program on which I can rely and be happy, and not one that has presented the kind of on-going problems experienced with UVS8.
Based upon what I've read, VS8 has big problems with AV sync and had users' installations of DMF having problems at the same time due to common files. I have both VS6 and VS7 installed on the same computer as DMF2, DMF3, and MediaStudio Pro 7 (Ulead's professional video editor) simultaneously and don't have a sync problem in DMF2 or 3.

I notice here in this discussion group, you are the "Resident Expert" :-) on Ulead Movie Factory. Since I am a UVS8 licensed user, I qualify for an upgrade to Movie Factory 4 at the upgrade price. However, I wouldn't consider purchasing another product from Ulead without a prior (free) trial. Unfortunately, there is no trial yet available on the Ulead website for MF4. So, I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing some insight on your experience with Movie Factory?
Uh oh! That title is coming back to haunt me! ;-) Since DMF4 is a new product, they haven't put up a new trial version yet. Basically my original experiences with DMF and the Hauppauge PVR card produced horrible AV sync problems with edited files. Unedited files most of the time weren't a problem. Since VRD, I haven't had any sync issues. I followed the guidelines for installing the patches and always installed them in chronological order. I also followed the tips on adding extra lines to the ".INI" files to correct sync problems.

I'm particularly interested in MF's ability to allow the creation of custom menus and templates -- the same factor I find so appealing in DVD-Lab.
On the VideoReDo FTP, there are some examples of custom templates I created using Ulead's PhotoImpact for editing. You're welcome to download them. This way you can see what I've done with them to customize them for my own purposes.

In DVD-Lab, I'm able to create custom-made menus and the chapter menus using PaintShopPro which I can easily drop into the DVD-Lab project. Since Ulead seems to use proprietary (UFO) file designations, I'm wondering if I'd have the same custom menu-making ability with Movie Factory. Or, would I be relegated to using ONLY Ulead templates which can only be made by a Ulead product (PhotoImpact) and must carry the Ulead File Object (ufo) file designation?

In short, just what possibility is there to design and create custom-made templates, menus and chapter menus, complete with linking buttons (objects) using Ulead Movie Factory? If it can be done, can it be done using another image-creation product such as Paint Shop Pro; or must it be done with a Ulead product?
In previous versions of DMF or any Ulead product except DVD Workshop (their professional authoring software), you could perform limited editing functions within them with some presets for layout, background pictures, buttons and frames using their presets. With PhotoImpact, you can have much more creative controls over the layout, size etc. The only product I know of that can edit the UFO files is PhotoImpact. A free trial is available for download from the Ulead website. It is similar in function to Photo Shop. Each object in the tmeplate is a separate layer and editable.

In DMF4, they are promising the direct functionality of editing. Being able to change the size and location independently of all objects. This sounds like all the functionality I get using PhotoImpact but a lot easier. Haven't tried DMF4 yet. Waiting for the demo also.

As mentioned, I like much of what DVD-Lab does, but I do seem to have quite a problem keeping chapter points exactly where they were initially created -- even WITH Frame Indexing and no matter how meticulous I go about setting them initially. Once the final compilation has completed, I find it necessary to replay the compilation in PowerDVD, locate the exact I-Frames of the preferred chapter points, record the chapter points in a notepad document and import them into the project. I then re-compile the project again and the new chapter points are (finally) where I wanted them in the first place.
In DMF I have the same issue. Chapter points can be off by a few frames from where I would like them exactly. That's why I try to maximize the fade to black so I can set within the cut points.

frankhad

03-22-2005, 04:42 PM

Uh oh! That title is coming back to haunt me! ;-) Since DMF4 is a new product, they haven't put up a new trial version yet. Basically my original experiences with DMF and the Hauppauge PVR card produced horrible AV sync problems with edited files. Unedited files most of the time weren't a problem. Since VRD, I haven't had any sync issues. I followed the guidelines for installing the patches and always installed them in chronological order. I also followed the tips on adding extra lines to the ".INI" files to correct sync problems.

I couldn't begin to tell you how many times I've installed, uninstalled, reinstalled UVS7 and UVS8 and its respective patches and .INI settings. It has truly been a study in futility. And, I've spent hours upon hours on the Ulead support forum looking for ideas and solutions -- to little or no avail. Currently what works for me (on those very rare occasions when I have no other choice but to use UVS8) is version 8.00 with no additional patches whatsoever. All rendering is turned off. I use UVS8 in Share mode only. I expect to run into a problem soon when Daylight Savings Time kicks in, but hope to have UVS8 deleted from my system by then.

On the VideoReDo FTP, there are some examples of custom templates I created using Ulead's PhotoImpact for editing. You're welcome to download them. This way you can see what I've done with them to customize them for my own purposes.

Thank you, Pat. I'm downloading them now. While I'm sure I can copy and paste the ufo files into UVS8, I probably won't be able to open them for view in Paint Shop Pro or any other image software.

The only product I know of that can edit the UFO files is PhotoImpact. A free trial is available for download from the Ulead website. It is similar in function to Photo Shop. Each object in the tmeplate is a separate layer and editable.

I was afraid it would necessary to use PhotoImpact in order to design custom menus in a Ulead product. Since I've always been happy with Paint Shop Pro, and since Movie Factory might only be used as a last-resort when other authoring tools might not suffice, I have no desire whatsoever to purchase PhotoImpact. Paint Shop Pro can save (layered) images in Photoshop (psd) format which I've already used in DVD-Lab. But without PhotoImpact, I'd have no way of creating the .ufo files necessary for a Ulead product. We'll see if MF4 grants any additional leeway, but I'm not very hopeful.

In DMF4, they are promising the direct functionality of editing. Being able to change the size and location independently of all objects. This sounds like all the functionality I get using PhotoImpact but a lot easier. Haven't tried DMF4 yet. Waiting for the demo also.

As mentioned, as a licensed owner of UVS8 I do qualify for the Movie Factory4 upgrade price. For that reason I'll probably download the 30-day trial once it becomes available. In the meantime, thought I might try TMPEGnc (TDA 1.6).

In DMF I have the same issue. Chapter points can be off by a few frames from where I would like them exactly. That's why I try to maximize the fade to black so I can set within the cut points.

The more I use DVD-Lab, the more I find some of the things it does as rather curious. Last night I was attemting to identify where I might want chapter points in a new cooking video I'm authoring. Using the DVD-Lab preview window to move back and forth with the I-Frame selector, many of the "fade-to-black" I-Frames did not register a cooresponding or contiguous time code. Sometimes it listed the same (exact) time code as the I-Frame preceeding it or following it Sometimes the time code showed as 00:00:00:xx. even if I was several minutes into the video. Weird -- really weird. :-)

Thank you, Pat, for all your help.

f

crauen

03-22-2005, 05:06 PM

phd

03-22-2005, 10:57 PM

I've had decent luck with my limited use of VS7. It is the SE version though. I'll check out authoring a simple DVD (not sure if my version allows that and let you know if it works for me.

You put in the settings in the INI for always audio seek, always video seek and Close DTR? I don't remember the exact phrases. They're on another post on this forum.

Regarding DMF3. How much would the whole package run you? DMF3 and a version of PhotoImpact for editing the menus. I've used PI7 to edit menus and had picked up a copy dirt cheap for about $15. If the combo of DMF3 and PI is not cheap enough, it may pay to look at DVD-Lab or demo DMF4 which will have the menu editing capabilities in it.

Also check out the GUI interface versions of DVDAuthor. I tried DVD Styler and for the price (free) I thought it was good. Not the greatest flexibility though.

Chris, also are you in PAL or NTSC land? I have noticed significantly more problem posts regrading using Ulead products on PAL machines.

Also, Ulead doesn't necessarily update their programs in spite of creating patches to fix things. What is your version #? That will tell you whether or not the patches are integrated into your version.

crauen

03-22-2005, 11:25 PM

You put in the settings in the INI for always audio seek, always video seek and Close DTR? I don't remember the exact phrases. They're on another post on this forum.

I've never heard of these settings/adjustments before...in Ulead or Video ReDo?

I was able to find a trial download of Movie Factory 3 on a video software website but haven't fully tested it yet. Not sure if I should uninstall VideoStudio first or if that matters? That one local store I mentioned sold out of DMF3 but Office Depot has it for $60, the websites as much as $100 still, so I'm glad I found the trial.

The version number I have for VS8 is 8.00.100. I downloaded it in late December of 04, so I'm not sure if this version has patches in it or not. I'm in NTSC land out here, btw, so at least that's one factor out of the equation.

If you could clarify the other settings you mentioned above, that would be great. Thanks...

phd

03-23-2005, 01:31 AM

Here is the info for modifying the DMF INI file:
1. Locate DVDMF.ini file in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Ulead Systems\Ulead DVD MovieFactory\X.X
(X.X will depend upon your version, could be 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, 3.0, etc.)

2. Open it and add three flags in the VIODRIVER section like below.
[VIODRIVER]
CloseAudioDTR=1
AlwaysAudioSeek=1
AlwaysVideoSeek=1

3. Close and save the ini file.

This is info I had posted on the forum here. You might want to do a search of this forum for "closeaudiodtr" and read the threads. There is other useful info as well.

For VideoStudio, the file will be in the VideoStudio directory and generally is named something like UVS.INI. Don't know if they changed the naming conventions in VS8. That's what its called in VS6.

You shouldn't have to uninstall VideoStudio. For those other prices for DMF3, it seems more cost effective to buy DMF4.

Read this thread:
http://www.videoredo.net/msgBoard/viewtopic.php?t=726&highlight=

phd

03-24-2005, 11:46 AM

I tried using my version of VS7 SE to directly author a DVD according to the recommended procedure:
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=27

Unfortunately since my version is an SE version the option to "SHARE/Create Disc " is ghosted.

Sorry, I couldn't test the DVD creation on my machine.