Normalize AC3

[Locutus]

Is there any way to normalize the sound of an AC3 video? I got some that are very silent.
Thanks

Locutus

[datascab]

If you want to normalise you could use besweet or headac3he.

They use the azid.dll which features a 2-pass normlisation feature.

Depending on which route you go down you'll end up with a wav, mp3, mp4(aac).

You could even encode back to ac3 but unless you are authoring a dvd I wouldnt bother.

Personally I dont use either.

I use foobar 2000 with the replaygain option to raise the overall level to a predetermined dB. and make a 5.1 HE-AAC mp4(aac) file.

This gives a very good quality file and usually 1/2 the size (if HE-AAC).

If this interests you then get the latest foobar2000 special and the foo_nero.dll.

You'll also need a copy of the latest nero (the demo will do 30 encodes i believe).

It all depends on what plans you have for the sound file really.

One other option if you want to keep the ac3 is you use ac3filter or matrix mixer to gain the ac3 as it plays.

You'll need a directshow compatible player like media player classic for that.

HTH

Data

[KpeX]

As datascab mentioned there is really no way to normalize AC3 without reencoding that will be recognized universally. Most users with this problem are normalizing through AC3Filter for playback.

[Locutus]

Ok, i installed the audiofilters package from doom9, which is said to also have an AC3Filter, but nothing changed. Still far too silent.

Where is the setting for normalisation or gain?

I found something in the Windows Media Player - DVD-settings, but it didn't seem to have any effect. I also tried BSPlay and WinDVD 5 without sucess.

What am i doing wrong?

Thanks

Locutus

[KpeX]

You need to configure AC3Filter either through the start menu or through a player's configuration (usually right click > filters > AC3Filter ) . Read through the AC3 FAQ linked in my sig.

[Locutus]

So i installed the AC3Filter, but it's interfering with the mmswitch filter, as described in the AC3Filter help.

How do i uninstall the mmswitch filter now?

Thanks

Locutus

[KpeX]

regsvr32 /u mmswitch.ax

[Locutus]

I executed the command as said, but media player says, that still morgan stream switcher is handling the audio. Also the peaks of input and output level in the AC3Filter property window dont go up and down.

Is AC3Filter not handling the sound?

What is this?

Locutus

[datascab]

It all depends on where you are accessing the filter properties page from.

You need to access it from within the player to see if its processing.

If you get MPC http://www.doom9.org/Soft21/Players/mpc2kxp6478.zip

you can easily see and access any filters that are being used to play your clip.

It even has an ac3 decoder built in with normalise function.

HTH

Data

[Haaan]

I suggest the use of graphedit, you can get it here (http://gd.tuwien.ac.at/hw-related/hauppauge/Support/Temp/graphedt.exe)

It shows you what filters are loaded when you render a file.

[Locutus]

Well, something seems to normalize the AC3 now, as the volume is ok now, no matter what player i use.

The Windows Media Player properties-window still says that Morgan Stream Switcher was handling the audio.

Even stranger is that, when playing with Media Player Classic, i got an entry called "AC3 Audio Decoder" in the filters menue, but its not accessible.

So how can i change the AC3Filter-settings and be sure AC3Filter is handling my AC3-audio?

[datascab]

Thats becoz its using the MPC ac3 deocer which is configurable via the options section.

If you want to use ac3filter then goto the options filter section and uncheck the ac3 decoder from the built in filters list. Then u can use ac3 filter.

Or still use MPC ac3 filter and stick matrix mixer on your PC.

This filter can down/up mix, normalise any sound file before it gets rendered.

HTH

Data