Trouble capturing video with multi-channel audio

GJC wrote on 4/2/2005, 3:14 PM

Hi,
I have recently purchased a Sony DCR-HC90 Camcorder with the ECM-HQP1 4-channel surround sound microphone. Importing to my PC via firewire. I need a software solution that will be able to capture the video while also recognizing the 4-discrete audio channels so that I can ultimately burn this information to a DVD in 5.1 AC-3. I'm aware of the "Click-to-DVD" Vaio software will accomplish this, bit I don't have and won't be purchasing a Vaio. I've tried Roxio VC 7 and Pinnacle Studio 9; neither of which will recognize or encode anything but stereo audio?!?!?!?. This is extremely frustrating, please help.

Thanks in advance.

Greg

Comments

JJKizak wrote on 4/2/2005, 4:00 PM

Scenalyser, don't know how to spell it but use search on this forum to get the good stuff on this application.

JJK

jetdv wrote on 4/2/2005, 5:40 PM

www.scenalyzer.com

GJC wrote on 4/3/2005, 9:19 AM

Thanks JJ and Jet. I've installed Scenalyzer-nice little program. Captured a small segment of video containing the aforementioned 4-channel audio. I've set the Scenalyzer audio options as follows:

"audio-channel to capture: second channel (when available)"
"write other audio-channel to separate wav file: YES"

I've verified that there is a video file and an associated seperate and distinct wav file in my capture folder. Upon dropping them into my Premiere Elements Trial software, I can visually verify that the embedded stereo audio track in the video file and the seperate stereo audio track are indeed 4 discrete audio channels (they are all slightly different). It appears that Scenalyzer has properly captured all 4 audio tracks. THANKS GUYS!!!!!

NOW, all I need is a program that will put all of this together and burn it to a standard DVD with AC-3 audio. Premiere Elements Trial doesn't allow the "Burn DVD" feature. So, I'm not sure if this program will solve my problem. Can Premiere Elements or the $99.00 Vegas+DVD software perform this final step? Thanks again for your assistance.

Greg

ScottW wrote on 4/4/2005, 6:30 AM

The Vegas+DVD you are refering to for $99 is actually Vegas Movie Studio with DVD Achitect Studio (the little brothers) - The problem you're going to have with this version is lack of an AC3 encoder - you need to get Vegas and DVD Architect (the big brothers) to get the AC3 capabilities - or you could purchase a standalone AC3 encoder.

--Scott

GJC wrote on 4/4/2005, 7:58 AM

Thanks Scott,

I've had it with this mess. I'm returning the HC90 and purchasing the DCR-DVD403. It has the same specs and imager as the HC90, has the 4-channel surround mic built-in and records to al DVD media in Dolby Digital 5.1. I don't intent to use my camcorder as a playback device. I prefer the convenience and random access of a disc rather than tape. Accordingly, although I realize that MiniDV resolution is superior, the final destination for all of my recordings will ultimately be DVD (MPEG2). Therefore, the resultant playback resolution from both camcorders from a practical standpoint, is the same AND I won't have to spend hours of computer time converting miniDV tapes.

Greg

ScottW wrote on 4/4/2005, 9:04 AM

If you're thinking of editing the MPEG-2 from the DVD's that your camcorder burns, then you are likely to have more heartache than you currently have.

I'm not sure whether the MPEG-2 editors that are out there will handle AC3 5.1 - you may need to convert to WAV files using something like BeSweet and then you're still stuck with having to re-encode the AC3 for the final delivery.

At the very least you should do some research on what you want to edit with. Womble is one MPEG-2 editor. While you can edit MPEG-2 with VMS or Vegas, it's not recommended; plus VMS and Vegas won't read the AC3 either.

--Scott