Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID -AC-3 Encoder

Subject:Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID Posted by: wilsondr Date:3/8/2003 2:13:47 PM Hi Gents. Two bugs you have in these products: SoftEncode: I know you aren't updating SoftEncode anymore, but just thought I'd mention this for your own knowledge. If you select the option to embed SMPTE timecodes in SoftEncode, the timecode that is embedded counts in drop-frame format (skipping certain frame numbers at minute boundaries), but marks the embedded timecode as non-drop-frame. This can (and does) confuse some DVD authoring applications. The time code should probably count in non-drop-frame format. 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID: When rendering the project to Dolby Digital (ac3), the option to embed the SMPTE timecode is not present like it was in SoftEncode. The timecode is not embedded in the file, either (ac3 frame sizes are 768 bytes/no timecode as opposed to SoftEncode's 784 bytes/with timecode). This can (and does) cause synchronization problems in DVD authoring applications that are expecting to be able to match embedded timecodes in the .m2v and .ac3 files when muxed. Can you please confirm the problem in the 5.1 plug-in pack for ACID, and see if your development team can add the SMPTE timecode embed function. (I don't think it would be too difficult to add back in ... the code for the 5.1 plug-in pack seems to be mostly a port from SoftEncode :-) ).
Subject:RE: Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID Reply by: SonyEPM Date:3/11/2003 8:20:23 AM What is your workflow, as in: "I generate my MPEGs in..." "I want to encode my AC-3 files with..." "I author DVDs with..."
Subject:RE: Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID Reply by: wilsondr Date:3/11/2003 10:37:40 AM Forgive me, but your response has confused me. I'm not seeing a connection between the statements and request I made for the 5.1 Plug-In for ACID and your question regarding my workflow. I create MPEGs (.m2v elementary streams) using primarily the Adobe MPEG Encoder built into Premiere 6.5, but I have also used the Cinemacraft Encoder (CCE) and Canopus ProCoder. I have created .ac3 files in the past with SoftEncode, but am now using the 5.1 plug-in pack for ACID. I author DVDs primarily with ULead DVD Workshop, but have also used Spruce DVD Maestro, Sonic ReelDVD, and Sonic Scenarist. I'm not sure what any of these things has to do with the lack of an SMPTE timecode embed option in the 5.1 Plug-In pack for ACID. (???) - Dan Wilson
Subject:RE: Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID Reply by: SonyEPM Date:3/13/2003 9:26:42 AM Thanks for the info. We will consider adding TC stamping in a future version of the AC-3 encoder.
Subject:RE: Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID Reply by: wilsondr Date:3/13/2003 12:57:29 PM I appreciate the consideration, thanks! - Dan Wilson

Subject:Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID

Posted by: wilsondr

Date:3/8/2003 2:13:47 PM

Hi Gents. Two bugs you have in these products:

SoftEncode: I know you aren't updating SoftEncode anymore, but just thought I'd mention this for your own knowledge. If you select the option to embed SMPTE timecodes in SoftEncode, the timecode that is embedded counts in drop-frame format (skipping certain frame numbers at minute boundaries), but marks the embedded timecode as non-drop-frame. This can (and does) confuse some DVD authoring applications. The time code should probably count in non-drop-frame format.

5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID: When rendering the project to Dolby Digital (ac3), the option to embed the SMPTE timecode is not present like it was in SoftEncode. The timecode is not embedded in the file, either (ac3 frame sizes are 768 bytes/no timecode as opposed to SoftEncode's 784 bytes/with timecode). This can (and does) cause synchronization problems in DVD authoring applications that are expecting to be able to match embedded timecodes in the .m2v and .ac3 files when muxed.

Can you please confirm the problem in the 5.1 plug-in pack for ACID, and see if your development team can add the SMPTE timecode embed function. (I don't think it would be too difficult to add back in ... the code for the 5.1 plug-in pack seems to be mostly a port from SoftEncode :-) ).

Subject:RE: Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID

Reply by: SonyEPM

Date:3/11/2003 8:20:23 AM

What is your workflow, as in:

"I generate my MPEGs in..."

"I want to encode my AC-3 files with..."

"I author DVDs with..."

Subject:RE: Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID

Reply by: wilsondr

Date:3/11/2003 10:37:40 AM

Forgive me, but your response has confused me. I'm not seeing a connection between the statements and request I made for the 5.1 Plug-In for ACID and your question regarding my workflow.

I create MPEGs (.m2v elementary streams) using primarily the Adobe MPEG Encoder built into Premiere 6.5, but I have also used the Cinemacraft Encoder (CCE) and Canopus ProCoder.

I have created .ac3 files in the past with SoftEncode, but am now using the 5.1 plug-in pack for ACID.

I author DVDs primarily with ULead DVD Workshop, but have also used Spruce DVD Maestro, Sonic ReelDVD, and Sonic Scenarist.

I'm not sure what any of these things has to do with the lack of an SMPTE timecode embed option in the 5.1 Plug-In pack for ACID. (???)

- Dan Wilson

Subject:RE: Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID

Reply by: SonyEPM

Date:3/13/2003 9:26:42 AM

Thanks for the info. We will consider adding TC stamping in a future version of the AC-3 encoder.

Subject:RE: Timecode Bugs in SoftEncode and 5.1 Plug-In Pack for ACID

Reply by: wilsondr

Date:3/13/2003 12:57:29 PM

I appreciate the consideration, thanks!

- Dan Wilson