problems encoding stereo ac3 with ac3enc

[fuct]

I am not sure if I am doing something wrong, but when I encode an ac3 5.1 channel to 2 channel I have errors using azid to encode it to mp2. I dont have this problem when encoding (changing bit rate) to 5.1 again, but once I go to 2 channel, surround or stereo, I have problems encoding it into mp2 via azid. I cant say its a bug, as I have just started using ac3enc, but I would like some input on what I can do to avoid this error: "E33: Illegal symmetric 7-level value =7"

*********************************************************************
Here is the log from the 5.1 to 2 channel encode:

BeSweet v1.4RC8 by DSPguru.
--------------------------
Using azid.dll v1.8 (b825) by Midas (midas@egon.gyaloglo.hu).
Using AC3enc.dll v0.2 by Gerard Lantau & Dg (http://ffmpeg.org).

Logging start : 09/21/02 , 02:29:15.

D:\_encoding tools\besweet\BeSweet.exe -core( -input O:\LOTR Extra\3_6\3_6 AC3 T01 3_2ch 448Kbps DELAY -66ms.ac3 -output F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\Output2.ac3 -logfile F:\BeSweet2chann.log ) -azid( -L -3db -g max -s surround ) -ota( -d -66 ) -ac3enc( -b 192 )

[00:00:00:000] +------- BeSweet -----
[00:00:00:000] | Input : O:\LOTR Extra\3_6\3_6 AC3 T01 3_2ch 448Kbps DELAY -66ms.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Output: F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\Output2.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Floating-Point Process: No
[00:00:00:-66] +-------- AZID -------
[00:00:00:-66] | Input Channels Mode: 3/2, Bitrate: 448kbps
[00:00:00:-66] | Output Stereo mode: Dolby surround compatible
[00:00:00:-66] | Total Gain: 9.184dB, Compression: None
[00:00:00:-66] | LFE levels: To LR -3.0dB, To LFE 0.0dB
[00:00:00:-66] | Center mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:-66] | Surround mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:-66] | Dialog normalization: No
[00:00:00:-66] | Rear channels filtering: No
[00:00:00:-66] | Source Sample-Rate: 48.0KHz
[00:00:00:-66] +------- AC3ENC ------
[00:00:00:-66] | Bitrate method : CBR
[00:00:00:-66] | AC3 bitrate : 192
[00:00:00:-66] | Channels Mode : 2.0
[00:00:00:-66] | Error Protection: Yes
[00:00:00:-66] +---------------------
[00:20:51.840] E7: CRC error
[00:20:51:774] Conversion Completed !
[00:20:51:774] Actual Avg. Bitrate : 192kbps
[00:09:24:000] <-- Transcoding Duration
Logging ends : 09/21/02 , 02:38:39.

BeSweet v1.4RC8 by DSPguru.
--------------------------
Using azid.dll v1.8 (b825) by Midas (midas@egon.gyaloglo.hu).
Using MP2enc.dll v1.129 (23/5/2002), Engine 1.129 <http://www.cdex.n3.net>.

Logging start : 09/21/02 , 02:38:39.

D:\_encoding tools\besweet\BeSweet.exe -core( -input F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\Output2.ac3 -output F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\LOTR_2Chann.mp2 -logfilea F:\BeSweet2chann.log ) -azid( -L -3db -c normal -g max) -2lame( -e -b 192 -m s )

[00:00:00:000] +------- BeSweet -----
[00:00:00:000] | Input : F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\Output2.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Output: F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\LOTR_2Chann.mp2
[00:00:00:000] | Floating-Point Process: Yes
[00:00:00:000] +-------- AZID -------
[00:00:00:000] | Input Channels Mode: 2/0, Bitrate: 192kbps
[00:00:00:000] | Output Stereo mode: Dolby surround compatible
[00:00:00:000] | Total Gain: 5.961dB, Compression: Normal
[00:00:00:000] | LFE levels: To LR -3.0dB, To LFE 0.0dB
[00:00:00:000] | Center mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:000] | Surround mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:000] | Dialog normalization: No
[00:00:00:000] | Rear channels filtering: No
[00:00:00:000] | Source Sample-Rate: 48.0KHz
[00:00:00:000] +------- MP2ENC ------
[00:00:00:000] | Bitrate method : CBR
[00:00:00:000] | MP2 bitrate : 192
[00:00:00:000] | Channels Mode : Stereo
[00:00:00:000] | Error Protection: Yes
[00:00:00:000] +---------------------
[00:01:13.434] E33: Illegal symmetric 7-level value =7
[00:01:13:440] Conversion Completed !
[00:01:13:440] Actual Avg. Bitrate : 192kbps
[00:02:34:000] <-- Transcoding Duration
Logging ends : 09/21/02 , 02:41:13.

*********************************************************************
Here is the log from the 5.1 to 5.1 (Bitrate from 448 to 192 (just a test; I know it will sound bad)) channel encode:

BeSweet v1.4RC8 by DSPguru.
--------------------------
Using azid.dll v1.8 (b825) by Midas (midas@egon.gyaloglo.hu).
Using AC3enc.dll v0.2 by Gerard Lantau & Dg (http://ffmpeg.org).

Logging start : 09/21/02 , 02:41:14.

D:\_encoding tools\besweet\BeSweet.exe -core( -input O:\LOTR Extra\3_6\3_6 AC3 T01 3_2ch 448Kbps DELAY -66ms.ac3 -output F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\Output2.ac3 -logfile F:\BeSweet5_1chann.log ) -azid( -L -3db -g max ) -ota( -d -66 ) -ac3enc( -b 192 )

[00:00:00:000] +------- BeSweet -----
[00:00:00:000] | Input : O:\LOTR Extra\3_6\3_6 AC3 T01 3_2ch 448Kbps DELAY -66ms.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Output: F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\Output2.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Floating-Point Process: No
[00:00:00:-66] +-------- AZID -------
[00:00:00:-66] | Input Channels Mode: 3/2, Bitrate: 448kbps
[00:00:00:-66] | Total Gain: 2.576dB, Compression: None
[00:00:00:-66] | LFE levels: To LR -3.0dB, To LFE 0.0dB
[00:00:00:-66] | Center mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:-66] | Surround mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:-66] | Dialog normalization: No
[00:00:00:-66] | Rear channels filtering: No
[00:00:00:-66] | Source Sample-Rate: 48.0KHz
[00:00:00:-66] +------- AC3ENC ------
[00:00:00:-66] | Bitrate method : CBR
[00:00:00:-66] | AC3 bitrate : 192
[00:00:00:-66] | Channels Mode : 5.1
[00:00:00:-66] | Error Protection: Yes
[00:00:00:-66] +---------------------
[00:20:51.840] E7: CRC error
[00:20:51:774] Conversion Completed !
[00:20:51:774] Actual Avg. Bitrate : 192kbps
[00:19:25:000] <-- Transcoding Duration
Logging ends : 09/21/02 , 03:00:38.

BeSweet v1.4RC8 by DSPguru.
--------------------------
Using azid.dll v1.8 (b825) by Midas (midas@egon.gyaloglo.hu).
Using MP2enc.dll v1.129 (23/5/2002), Engine 1.129 <http://www.cdex.n3.net>.

Logging start : 09/21/02 , 03:00:38.

D:\_encoding tools\besweet\BeSweet.exe -core( -input F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\Output2.ac3 -output F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\LOTR_5_1Chann -logfilea F:\BeSweet5_1chann.log ) -azid( -L -3db -c normal -g max) -2lame( -e -b 192 -m s )

[00:00:00:000] +------- BeSweet -----
[00:00:00:000] | Input : F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\Output2.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Output: F:\DVD2SVCD\LOTR Extras\3_6\LOTR_5_1Chann
[00:00:00:000] | Floating-Point Process: Yes
[00:00:00:000] +-------- AZID -------
[00:00:00:000] | Input Channels Mode: 3/2, Bitrate: 192kbps
[00:00:00:000] | Output Stereo mode: Dolby surround compatible
[00:00:00:000] | Total Gain: 13.732dB, Compression: Normal
[00:00:00:000] | LFE levels: To LR -3.0dB, To LFE 0.0dB
[00:00:00:000] | Center mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:000] | Surround mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:000] | Dialog normalization: No
[00:00:00:000] | Rear channels filtering: No
[00:00:00:000] | Source Sample-Rate: 48.0KHz
[00:00:00:000] +------- MP2ENC ------
[00:00:00:000] | Bitrate method : CBR
[00:00:00:000] | MP2 bitrate : 192
[00:00:00:000] | Channels Mode : Stereo
[00:00:00:000] | Error Protection: Yes
[00:00:00:000] +---------------------
[00:20:51:776] Conversion Completed !
[00:20:51:776] Actual Avg. Bitrate : 192kbps
[00:09:41:000] <-- Transcoding Duration
Logging ends : 09/21/02 , 03:10:19.

*********************************************************************

I dont post much here, but I do read the faq's and I hope I didn't miss something on the forum that could have resolved this, and if I did, in advance, im sorry for wasting your time. Ultimately, I was just wondering if I did something wrong, or if others have had the same problem

[DSPguru]

yeap, seems like AC3ENC's product came out buggy.


it would be nice if you could do some more testing and tell me when this error occurs - only in 2/0 mode ? only in 2/0+192kbps mode ?

i must admit that i don't care much about the 2/0 AC3 mode, simply because you could use anything else (mp2/mp3/ogg), but maybe i could fix this bug easily..

[marsoupilami]

First of all - HI EVERYONE!

@fuct
I have the same problem when encoding to 384/448kbps AC3...
additionally:
.)'PX3x->WAV Converter' / WinDVD produces short gaps/clicks.
.)My standalone (JVC) drops both audio and video frames switching to the ac3enc.dll-produced language track.
...for me it seems to be a common problem

@DSPguru
'... because you could use anything else (mp2/mp3/ogg),...'
Does it mean i can mix e.g. 2xAC3 + 1xMP2 streams into one VOB?

[Syndrome Zed]

I apologize to the mods for this cross-post, but judging from the big Goose Egg I've gotten in replies in DVD authoring, I think maybe the readers of this forum might be a better help. I tried a search but all I found was the well-known AC3enc "volume bug". Anyways....

I'm having a problem with my sound. I was taking an old divx recording and turning it into DVD. I used TMPGEnc to encode the video, but everything I've read said not to do the sound in it, so I transcoded the MP3 of the audio track (48 KHz 2 channel stereo track, originally AC3) back to AC3 using AC3Machine/BeSweet - no errors reported in the logfile. The AC3 plays in Win Media Player without a problem, but it won't play in PowerDVD. Actually, it will play, but there's no sound, even with the volume cranked to maximum - PowerDVD doesn't report any errors with the file either, just doesn't actually play any sound. I thought maybe it didn't support separate AC3 files (it says it does but you never know), so I proceeded with the authoring anyway.

I did all the "fun" stuff in SpruceUp (full version) - menus, etc. etc. SpruceUp imported the video file and seemed to successfully import the audio file as well (the little speaker symbol on the clip asset was present). When I compiled the disk image for burning, no errors were reported. But when I played the image in PowerDVD it still had no sound. So I used DVD Decrypter to extract the AC3 from the new disk image, and it extracted the stream successfully, including playing it again using WMP. Just as another test, I took a DVD from my collection and it played normally using PowerDVD. It had the same kind of AC3 format/bitrate as the one I encoded that didn't work.

So does anyone know where the kink is in all this? Why am I not getting sound in PowerDVD with that particular file, when other programs will play it? I'm at a loss right now, and I don't want to burn a DVD until I find out the problem - I'm inexperienced, but not stupid :rolleyes:.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

QUICK UPDATE: I used the AC3 I ripped from my "working" DVD - the one from my collection - and ran it through Azid/BeSweet (1.5b21 for one try, then 1.4 for a second try, same results) via Gordian to turn it into an MP3. The MP3 played in Sonique normally. I then took the MP3 and ran it back through BeSweet via AC3Machine as I did the first one, and it too stopped working in PowerDVD after that (but still works in WMP). I have all the filters (using AC3filter), have removed Morgan Stream Switcher, updated and downdated BeSweet, and I'm now at a total loss. Is there any other way to re-encode the AC3? Is there a way to set the byte order if that's the problem? I'm so....:confused::confused:

Here's the BeSweet Logfile in case something in the command line sticks out as a problem:


C:\GordianKnot\BeSweet\BeSweet.exe -core( -input C:\Captured Video\DVD Rips\THING\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_PGC_01_1.mp3 -output C:\Captured Video\DVD Rips\THING\VIDEO_TS\Thing.ac3 -logfilea C:\GordianKnot\AC3Machine\BeSweet.log ) -ssrc( --rate 48000 ) -ota( -d 0 ) -ac3enc( -b 320 ) -profile( The AC3Machine v0.4 )

[00:00:00:000] +------- BeSweet -----
[00:00:00:000] | Input : C:\Captured Video\DVD Rips\THING\VIDEO_TS\VTS_02_PGC_01_1.mp3
[00:00:00:000] | Output: C:\Captured Video\DVD Rips\THING\VIDEO_TS\Thing.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Floating-Point Process: No
[00:00:00:000] | Source Sample-Rate: 48.0KHz
[00:00:00:000] +------- AC3ENC ------
[00:00:00:000] | Bitrate method : CBR
[00:00:00:000] | AC3 bitrate : 320
[00:00:00:000] | Channels Mode : 2.0
[00:00:00:000] | Error Protection: Yes
[00:00:00:000] +---------------------
[00:24:01:504] Conversion Completed !
[00:24:01:504] Actual Avg. Bitrate : 319kbps
[00:01:03:000] <-- Transcoding Duration

[DaRat]

Hey all!

I was toying around with my T3 dvd, converting from ntsc to pal and when i was transcoding the 2 directors commentary with ac3machine i noticed some weird things, like: ac3machine dont give a damn what i check in or out, except changing the bitrate setting.. It always wanted to encode in 5.1, no matter what.. :-/ Maybe im just a b-a-d lama but after searching the forums i havent find anything similar. On the other hand I had _never_ have a low volume ac3 with ac3machine.. :D

Logfiles: (settings were the same for both ac3 streams! then whats with the downmix thingy in the second?)


*************************************************

BeSweet v1.4 by DSPguru.
--------------------------
Using azid.dll v1.8 (b825) by Midas (midas@egon.gyaloglo.hu).
Using Shibatch.dll v0.2 by Naoki Shibata & DSPguru (shibatch.sourceforge.net).
Using AC3enc.dll v0.2 by Gerard Lantau & Dg (http://ffmpeg.org).

Logging start : 11/10/03 , 20:06:01.

BeSweet.exe -core( -input D:\T3ROTM\VIDEO_TS\0x83.ac3 -output D:\Projects\t3\assets\t3_0x83_en_51_dc2.ac3 -logfile E:\dvd\Be[stuff]\besweet\BeSweet.log -substream SubS ) -ota( -r 23976 25000 ) -ac3enc( -b 192 ) -profile( The AC3Machine v0.4 )

[00:00:00:000] +------- BeSweet -----
[00:00:00:000] | Input : D:\T3ROTM\VIDEO_TS\0x83.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Output: D:\Projects\t3\assets\t3_0x83_en_51_dc2.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Floating-Point Process: No
[00:00:00:000] +-------- AZID -------
[00:00:00:000] | Input Channels Mode: 2/0, Bitrate: 192kbps
[00:00:00:000] | Total Gain: 0.000dB, Compression: None
[00:00:00:000] | LFE levels: To LR -INF, To LFE 0.0dB
[00:00:00:000] | Center mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:000] | Surround mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:000] | Dialog normalization: No
[00:00:00:000] | Rear channels filtering: No
[00:00:00:000] | Source Sample-Rate: 48.0KHz
[00:00:00:000] +-------- FRC --------
[00:00:00:000] | Source Frame-Rate: 23976
[00:00:00:000] | Dest. Frame-Rate: 25000
[00:00:00:000] +------- AC3ENC ------
[00:00:00:000] | Bitrate method : CBR
[00:00:00:000] | AC3 bitrate : 192
[00:00:00:000] | Channels Mode : 5.1
[00:00:00:000] | Error Protection: Yes
[00:00:00:000] +---------------------
[01:49:00:192] Conversion Completed !
[01:49:00:192] Actual Avg. Bitrate : 184kbps
[00:32:53:000] <-- Transcoding Duration
Logging ends : 11/10/03 , 20:38:54.

BeSweet v1.4 by DSPguru.
--------------------------
Using azid.dll v1.8 (b825) by Midas (midas@egon.gyaloglo.hu).
Using Shibatch.dll v0.2 by Naoki Shibata & DSPguru (shibatch.sourceforge.net).
Using AC3enc.dll v0.2 by Gerard Lantau & Dg (http://ffmpeg.org).

Logging start : 11/10/03 , 20:42:56.

BeSweet.exe -core( -input D:\T3ROTM\VIDEO_TS\0x82.ac3 -output D:\Projects\t3\assets\t3_0x82_en_51_dc1.ac3 -logfilea E:\dvd\Be[stuff]\besweet\BeSweet.log -substream SubS ) -ota( -r 23976 25000 ) -ac3enc( -b 192 ) -profile( The AC3Machine v0.4 )

[00:00:00:000] +------- BeSweet -----
[00:00:00:000] | Input : D:\T3ROTM\VIDEO_TS\0x82.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Output: D:\Projects\t3\assets\t3_0x82_en_51_dc1.ac3
[00:00:00:000] | Floating-Point Process: No
[00:00:00:000] +-------- AZID -------
[00:00:00:000] | Input Channels Mode: 2/0, Bitrate: 192kbps
[00:00:00:000] | Total Gain: 0.000dB, Compression: None
[00:00:00:000] | LFE levels: To LR -INF, To LFE 0.0dB
[00:00:00:000] | Center mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:000] | Surround mix level: BSI
[00:00:00:000] | Dialog normalization: No
[00:00:00:000] | Rear channels filtering: No
[00:00:00:000] | Source Sample-Rate: 48.0KHz
[00:00:00:000] +-------- FRC --------
[00:00:00:000] | Source Frame-Rate: 23976
[00:00:00:000] | Dest. Frame-Rate: 25000
[00:00:00:000] +------- AC3ENC ------
[00:00:00:000] | Bitrate method : CBR
[00:00:00:000] | AC3 bitrate : 192
[00:00:00:000] | Channels Mode : 5.1
[00:00:00:000] | Error Protection: Yes
[00:00:00:000] +---------------------
[00:01:03.498] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0dB)
[00:05:51.648] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.9dB)
[00:06:45.733] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.1dB)
[00:07:55.338] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.2dB)
[00:08:18.821] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.1dB)
[00:12:12.842] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.5dB)
[00:13:41.418] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[00:14:31.146] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0dB)
[00:15:01.221] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0dB)
[00:21:10.160] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.6dB)
[00:25:44.202] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[00:27:56.469] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.2dB)
[00:29:47.978] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.6dB)
[00:31:24.213] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.6dB)
[00:31:30.586] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[00:33:42.880] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.2dB)
[00:34:03.594] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[00:34:06.218] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.2dB)
[00:34:15.253] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0dB)
[00:36:16.917] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.2dB)
[00:36:36.634] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[00:36:59.109] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.5dB)
[00:38:54.522] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.5dB)
[00:42:46.485] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[00:46:24.901] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.2dB)
[00:56:20.208] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.0dB)
[00:56:50.048] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.7dB)
[00:57:34.906] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.5dB)
[00:58:04.608] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +1.0dB)
[00:59:04.794] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[00:59:55.370] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[00:59:58.613] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.7dB)
[01:00:41.904] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +2.4dB)
[01:01:16.080] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +2.8dB)
[01:02:11.440] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.3dB)
[01:04:05.349] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.8dB)
[01:11:44.128] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.3dB)
[01:14:16.480] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.9dB)
[01:14:16.549] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.1dB)
[01:14:16.634] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.7dB)
[01:14:16.714] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.2dB)
[01:14:16.794] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.6dB)
[01:14:16.874] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.2dB)
[01:14:17.040] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.7dB)
[01:14:17.194] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.0dB)
[01:14:17.274] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.2dB)
[01:14:17.354] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +1.1dB)
[01:14:17.434] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.2dB)
[01:14:17.600] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.9dB)
[01:14:17.674] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.4dB)
[01:14:18.074] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.3dB)
[01:14:18.474] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.2dB)
[01:14:18.789] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.3dB)
[01:14:26.624] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +2.4dB)
[01:15:51.280] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.1dB)
[01:15:53.066] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.5dB)
[01:19:17.973] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[01:23:10.480] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.6dB)
[01:23:16.325] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0dB)
[01:27:28.741] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0dB)
[01:28:33.525] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.1dB)
[01:29:01.125] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[01:29:02.128] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.4dB)
[01:29:03.893] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +1.0dB)
[01:29:11.936] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0dB)
[01:29:42.709] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.4dB)
[01:30:24.005] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.7dB)
[01:30:32.442] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.1dB)
[01:36:00.378] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.0dB)
[01:36:24.405] W7: Downmix overflow (2: +0.3dB)
[01:41:35.525] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.1dB)
[01:43:16.437] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.8dB)
[01:43:40.656] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +2.0dB)
[01:43:50.602] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +0.8dB)
[01:47:13.125] W7: Downmix overflow (0: +1.7dB)
[01:49:00:192] Conversion Completed !
[01:49:00:192] Actual Avg. Bitrate : 184kbps
[00:34:57:000] <-- Transcoding Duration
Logging ends : 11/10/03 , 21:17:53.

[DSPguru]

for stereo encoding use "-azid( -s stereo )"

[Rombaldi]

full message here...

http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/message.php?msg_id=7049392

partial quotes..

I believe I have run across a small problem with ac3enc.c in version 0.4.8 of ffmpeg which causes it to generate an AC3 bitstream which is not quite compliant with the spec. The problem originates in
compute_bit_allocation(), which computes how much of an AC3 frame is
available for the actual data.

I have seen some high-end hardware DVD players which get upset when they see this bit set to 1: they then believe that auxiliary data is present, will try to decode this nonsence data, and you end up with a corrupted audio signal and with the player trying to sync up video to that corrupted audio (i..e the picture jumps forward).

With these two changes, the DVD player is no longer having problems with the AC3 bitstream generated by ac3enc.c

Could this be the fix people have been looking for? Could the mean a return to the BeSweet fold?

[DSPguru]

we still need quality updates..

[LigH]

Dear DSPguru,

"due it its suckness" (how do I translate that?!) you didn't support AC3ENC anymore; although it was not that easy to collect really objective facts about which kind of bugs it contained, at least I understood that {sometimes..often} the resulting file was not normalised and amplified correctly.

Now, according to this message (http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/message.php?msg_id=7049392) (ffmpeg CVS 2004-02-26), there is a fix available, which is already used in ffmpegGUI beta build 3 (http://www.dvdrhelp.com/tools?tool=434). You can read reports about the tool in the DVDRHelp forum (http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=826454#826454). So I wonder if you have the mercy to re-support AC3ENC if this patch fixes that mentioned bug, or if you have some other AC3 encoder project as substitute in mind...

[Insolit]

Please AC3ENC was one of the great possibilities in Besweet GUI, i hope you make it available soon again.

:)

[P0l1m0rph1c]

Originally posted by LigH
Dear DSPguru,

"due it its suckness" (how do I translate that?!) you didn't support AC3ENC anymore; although it was not that easy to collect really objective facts about which kind of bugs it contained, at least I understood that {sometimes..often} the resulting file was not normalised a

I think he meant "due to its suckness" ;)

Anyway, this is the only free AC3 encoder available, and Besweet is the most versatile audio-conversion/resampler/etc around. If there's this patch available, it should be given a chance, at the very least.

We don't really want (or need) to go warez, do we?

[jimmy basushi]

you guys gotta remember, when some people use the ac3 encoder and *if* its quality isnt top notch, or some other bug shows up, they will complain to dspguru about it all. look how many posts are about the ac3enc not working which amounts to people not bothering to read thier log files and that just proves that point.

if it is added, it should be added to a specially marked version that screams at people *not* to use it for anything at all other then testing. but personally, i would love to give it a try again out of sheer curiousity.

[P0l1m0rph1c]

hmm...or even a plugin not natively suported...i don't care :)

But you're right...if there's still something b0rked in the encoder, people will start to flood DspGuru with complains...

Anyway, it's up to DspGuru now ;)

[jorel]

about ffmpegGUI beta build 3:
encode to ac3-2channels only, not to ac3-5.1 channels!
loose the volume ~14 to 20% and the trebles too (easily perceptive)!

@ DSPguru :
guru, BeSweet is very flexible cos you did it!
don't needed to "say" more...we're waiting for you!

:)
best regards!

[DSPguru]

keep posting your thoughts..
i'll think of something.

[LnxPeng]

It's not that terribly difficult to compile yourself, when I need Ac3 (which I avoid like the plague), I just download the latest version of ffmpeg and recompile......IMHO BeSweet should probably have an "Ac3(experimental)" option to make you think twice. Then when it reaches a stable point add it into BeSweet...anyways that's my two cents :)

[P0l1m0rph1c]

Well, can you compile it in VC++? That's a bit harsh, and Besweet is maioritarilly for Windows users. I dont know how to use gcc/mingw, so a pre-compiled build of the dll for Win32 would be very handy.

[jorel]

up!

this thread deserve the top (easy to find)
i'm appreciator of all audio tools and projects form DSPguru.

...just waiting.

:)

[DSPguru]

i'll be away for almost 10days, (going to some conference), so please be patient.

[LnxPeng]

FYI, apparently the changes made in ac3enc.c were in the program stream to make the parts ac3-standards compiant. I donwnloaded the ffmpeg 0.4.8 and compiled it exactly the way it was. I then downloaded the latest version of ac3enc.c, ac3dec.c, ac3tab.h, and ac3.h. "diff" showed that the version on 0.4.8 was the same as the CVS version, so I pulled up the thread again and manually programmed in the C code that he reccomended be changed. I compiled the new version also. I renamed them to "ffmpego.exe" and "ffmpegn.exe" and encoded a short WAV file at 48kHz. both ac3 files ended up EXACLY the same size (bit for bit), however, when "diff" compared them, it said "Binary files 131n.ac3 and 131o.ac3 differ". So apparently there is a difference. Someone has mentioned that hardware players don't complain with this new method.

Anyways something to think about

p.s. I made the binaries available, but please note that:
a) I'm not liable for anything that happens
b) The few changes made have not yet been officially endorsed by Fabrice Bellard

That said, I would like to hear if it preforms better than the last compile.

You can pick up the binaries at http://www.cbu.edu/~nwebb/ac3.html

[LigH]

Thank you very much for providing this binary, although you obviously are rather a Linux fan than Windows... ;)

Now I'll have to check if this ffmpeg version is also able to encode MPEG-2 video: No matter which bitrate parameters I tried for the EXE included in ffmpegGUI 0.3, it always assumed "2 kbps". But that will be another thread, I'd propose.

[P0l1m0rph1c]

Hmm...how about a build of ac3enc.dll for Besweet, with this new code (patched ac3enc.c)? The source of the plugin is available at DspGuru's page, it's just compile. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to compile it successfully yet. So, a build would be very, very apreciated.

BTW: today I downloaded latest FFmpeg's CVS snapshot, and ac3enc.c had some changes. Probably the changes were already commited.

[LnxPeng]

I just caught wind that the team is not using the sourceforge CVS, even though it exists.....maybe that is my problem.... :o

[Haaan]

By the way, I'm interested in the last version of avcodec.dll, if you can compile it, it's a part of ffmpeg. Please PM me.

[LnxPeng]

Greetings All,

My school does all programming on a SPARC running on Solaris. As such I have never compiled a dll. Therefore I would be happy to provide compiles but need some time to learn the ins and outs of dynamic link libraries(and I need to buy VC++ :) ). But I am working on it.

[LnxPeng]

I have downloaded the latest ac3enc.c off of the new CVS servers :o and recompiled ffmpeg 0.4.8 with the latest and greatest ac3enc. I had to edit it by hand to get it to compile (I uploaded my source that I edited with it).

@DSPGuru...would it be alright if I did recompile ac3enc as a BeSweet dll? I would note that no one should complain to you about it if there are probs :) (That is of course contingent on the fact that I can find my old VC6 cd.)

Lastly, will BeSweet resolve symbols in a dll compiled with MinGW? The site has directions on interoperability here:
http://www.mingw.org/mingwfaq.shtml#faq-msvcdll

Finally, the new binaries can be found here:
http://www.cbu.edu/~nwebb/ac3.html

[DSPguru]

try out v1.5b26 (http://dspguru.doom9.org/beta.html).

[LigH]

http://www.cheesebuerger.de/smilies/lustig/51.gif

[jorel]

:)
in 22nd March 2004, DSPguru wrote :

"i'll be away for almost 10days, (going to some conference),
so please be patient."

thanks for the new beta and for your precision too (10 days)!

:cool:

[LnxPeng]

Wow thanks! I apriciate it :)

[P0l1m0rph1c]

Great news! :D

Thanks DSPGuru, for all your efforts. This shall be very useful.

Regards

[P0l1m0rph1c]

OK, so far, so good. I've been doing some encodes in ac3 (both stereo and 5.1) and there weren't problems with compatibility so far.

I'll keep testing.

[tiki4]

Great news. It would be nice to include b26 in the next release of AVI2DVD (DVD2SVCD) to get DVD with AC3 on the fly.

Cheers and thanks Dg,

tiki4

[Corn]

Did a few quick test with the AC3->AC3 convertion. Looks like it scales the audio the right way now and normalize it correctly :)

BTW when you get those overflows in the log file as it was before
the audio not only clips but it wraps du to the float to short (int) conversion and generate massive distorsion as a result instead of just clipping

DSPguru_API void Standard( float* buffer,int size)
{
static unsigned char frame[AC3_MAX_CODED_FRAME_SIZE];
static short samples[6*AC3_FRAME_SIZE];
int ret, i,j=0;

// process the block from BeSweet
for(i=0;i!=size;i++)
{ /* L C R SL SR (+LFE) */
****----> samples[i]=(short)(32767*buffer[i]);
}
ret = AC3_encode_frame(ctx, frame,i, samples);

// return the block to BeSweet
BS_Output(frame,ret);
}

buffer[i] must not be lower than -1.0 and not greater than 1.0
or it will wrap with massive distorsion as a result.

But as long as one normalize and it work as it looks like now there should not be a problem :)
Just be aware that if you get a overflow warning in the log file.

Hope this might shed some light

cheers

[Tsui]

The volume-bug is still there, right?

Input : normalized 2 channel wav
Output : the volume of the ac3 is at 50%

[Corn]

Even with the -azid ( -g max) switch? that should normalize it...

BTW are you using besweet GUI or AC3machine?
I only tested with AC3machine... and it looks ok there

[Tsui]

I thing that '-azid ( -g max)' ist only for ac3 input and not for wav input, right or wrong?

[weirdaznboi923]

if you have massive issues, try using sonic foundry soft encode. its dead for quite a while, but you might be able to find a copy for $2 at a flea market or ebay. i got my CD from the annual boy scouts flea market we have here :) !

[Tsui]

I don't have problmes to encode ac3 with other tools.
The point ist that there seems to be a problem with ac3enc that should be fixed.

[P0l1m0rph1c]

This was why DSPGuru removed ac3enc support from Besweet, guys...

People start complaining about things that have nothing to do with Besweet or DSPGuru.

If you think ac3enc should be fixed, please tell these issues to the ffmpeg guys, not here.

Regards

[tickey]

use ac3 machine it works great.

[LigH]

AC3Machine is just a GUI which calls BeSweet. Didn't you know that?

[tickey]

Originally posted by LigH
AC3Machine is just a GUI which calls BeSweet. Didn't you know that?
Ya I know that.
But besweetgui borks the output by forcing some options in besweet command line.
Ac3 machine does NOT.

[tickey]

Originally posted by P0l1m0rph1c
This was why DSPGuru removed ac3enc support from Besweet, guys...

People start complaining about things that have nothing to do with Besweet or DSPGuru.

If you think ac3enc should be fixed, please tell these issues to the ffmpeg guys, not here.

Regards
Most of the issues are with the besweetgui Version xxx.
If one uses the AC3machine frontend with a "clean" besweet command line the output is excellent.
As for the rest of the crying in your post I think this forum is called audio encoding and the thread is duscussing it w/besweet so add something constructive or nothing at all.

[Redmist]

Just thought I'd mention that the latest CVS ffmpeg AC3 encoder from http://www.cbu.edu/~nwebb/ac3.html produces excellent results that are compatible with my Pioneer DVD player. Previous versions created files that locked up my DVD player.

I also tried the latest ac3enc.dll from the BeSweet site but unfortunately it's still got compatibility problems.

Finally a free, compatible AC3 encoder - I is very happy :D

EDIT: Scratch that - still occasional problems unfortunately... :(