Audio Problem with conversion of AVCHD files to Cineform .avi with HDLink at DVinfo.net

John Rich · June 11th, 2010, 12:10 PM

I just got a new computer (AMD PHenom II x6, GTX 285,16 gb RAM, Raid 0 for data, etc with Win 7 Home Premium) and installed CS5 Prod Premium and upgraded from ProspectHD to NeoHD (two days ago).
I downloaded AVCHD files to the computer from SONY XDR-XR520V with the new version of SOny's Picture Motion Browser and then used HDLink to convert the AVCHD files to Cineform .avi

When I imported the cineform files into Prem Pro CS5 and put them on the timeline, the audio was "bad". Specifically, the audio appears as a rapid series of high pitched clicks on the timeline. The sequence is a Cineform 1920x1080 60i.
The audio doesn't play in Windows Media Player.
Checking the tech blog, I thought said there was no need to have Haali splitter installed as it had been for prior versions of HDLink.
I even checked the haali splitter sites, and now there are several versions to install so I'm not sure how to approach this (aside from filing a trouble ticket which I just did).

I should add that when I create an AVCHD non-cineform sequence and add the unconverted AVCHD file to it, the audio plays perfectly, so this seems to be something happening when I use HDLink to convert the files.

Does anybody have an idea for a quick fix here?

Thanks in advance,
John Rich

Robert Young · June 12th, 2010, 03:09 PM

John
The solution from Jake @ Cineform:
1) You do not need the Haali splitter
2) What you do need is the free ac3 filter from AC3filter.net. Download and install that and then your conversions should have audio. Make sure to download the 64-bit version and during installation select both the 32-bit and 64-bit components.

John Rich · June 12th, 2010, 08:38 PM

Bob,
It looks like you're the man. I got a test file to convert with good audio after downloading and installing ac3filter per your instructions.
I'll give it a more extensive test tomorrow. Just out of curiosity, did you have a similar problem? I wonder if this is a CS5 general problem, or just a rare anomally?
I'm waiting on Jake for a followup suggestion (he was working on it for me), but I'll probably just tell him it's fixed.

Thanks again,
John

Robert Young · June 12th, 2010, 09:12 PM

It's always been confusing to me.
For AVCHD conversion to Cineform you have to have an AC3 decoder for audio.
BUT, supposedly you should already have at least one AC3 decoder onboard anyway, courtesy of a variety of already installed software (i.e. Adobe Production Suite). Maybe the problem is getting CF to find the decoder- I never really knew.
Clearly, if you install this particular "AC3 Filter", CF knows how to find and use it.
I have been through this before with CF v3 and CF v4- we used to use Core AVC to solve the problem. When I switched from Vista 64 to Win7 64, Core AVC no longer worked with PHD4 and CS4.
AC3 Filter did work, and has continued to work through my current upgrade to Neo5/CS5.
Maybe some genius on this forum will reveal the naked truth about this issue :)

David Newman · June 13th, 2010, 09:34 AM

We use DirectShow for conversion, we need any DirectShow AC3 decoder. We do not request any particular component, but we recommend the AC3Filter as it worked and it was free. We attempted to license that component, but got no reply. No other external component is required as we licensed everything else and ship them with the application.

John Rich · June 13th, 2010, 11:34 AM

Bob,
I found this down at the bottom of the discussion on conversion of AVCHD in the "Tech Blog"

"NOTE about Audio: If you are not properly converting audio, you may not have an AC3 decoder installed. Many software packages install an AC3 decoder, but if not, you can get a free AC3 decoder here".

It would have been handier if it were up at the top, since I originally didn't get down to it before. Also, perhaps this should be the first suggestion for audio problems from tech support. IMO, your specific instructions for installation also should be included. Unfortunately, for Cineform, there is probably a wide spectrum of technical expertise represented in their users so they may not be sure how detailed to make their technical suggestions. Personally, I would favor more details.

John

June 11th, 2010, 12:10 PM	#1
John Rich Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 80	Audio Problem with conversion of AVCHD files to Cineform .avi with HDLink I just got a new computer (AMD PHenom II x6, GTX 285,16 gb RAM, Raid 0 for data, etc with Win 7 Home Premium) and installed CS5 Prod Premium and upgraded from ProspectHD to NeoHD (two days ago). I downloaded AVCHD files to the computer from SONY XDR-XR520V with the new version of SOny's Picture Motion Browser and then used HDLink to convert the AVCHD files to Cineform .avi When I imported the cineform files into Prem Pro CS5 and put them on the timeline, the audio was "bad". Specifically, the audio appears as a rapid series of high pitched clicks on the timeline. The sequence is a Cineform 1920x1080 60i. The audio doesn't play in Windows Media Player. Checking the tech blog, I thought said there was no need to have Haali splitter installed as it had been for prior versions of HDLink. I even checked the haali splitter sites, and now there are several versions to install so I'm not sure how to approach this (aside from filing a trouble ticket which I just did). I should add that when I create an AVCHD non-cineform sequence and add the unconverted AVCHD file to it, the audio plays perfectly, so this seems to be something happening when I use HDLink to convert the files. Does anybody have an idea for a quick fix here? Thanks in advance, John Rich

June 12th, 2010, 03:09 PM	#2
Robert Young Trustee Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coronado Island Posts: 1,472	John The solution from Jake @ Cineform: 1) You do not need the Haali splitter 2) What you do need is the free ac3 filter from AC3filter.net. Download and install that and then your conversions should have audio. Make sure to download the 64-bit version and during installation select both the 32-bit and 64-bit components. __________________ Bob

June 12th, 2010, 09:12 PM	#4
Robert Young Trustee Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Coronado Island Posts: 1,472	It's always been confusing to me. For AVCHD conversion to Cineform you have to have an AC3 decoder for audio. BUT, supposedly you should already have at least one AC3 decoder onboard anyway, courtesy of a variety of already installed software (i.e. Adobe Production Suite). Maybe the problem is getting CF to find the decoder- I never really knew. Clearly, if you install this particular "AC3 Filter", CF knows how to find and use it. I have been through this before with CF v3 and CF v4- we used to use Core AVC to solve the problem. When I switched from Vista 64 to Win7 64, Core AVC no longer worked with PHD4 and CS4. AC3 Filter did work, and has continued to work through my current upgrade to Neo5/CS5. Maybe some genius on this forum will reveal the naked truth about this issue :) __________________ Bob

June 13th, 2010, 09:34 AM	#5
David Newman CTO, CineForm Inc. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California Posts: 8,095	We use DirectShow for conversion, we need any DirectShow AC3 decoder. We do not request any particular component, but we recommend the AC3Filter as it worked and it was free. We attempted to license that component, but got no reply. No other external component is required as we licensed everything else and ship them with the application. __________________ David Newman -- web: www.gopro.com blog: cineform.blogspot.com -- twitter: twitter.com/David_Newman

June 12th, 2010, 08:38 PM	#3
John Rich Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 80	Bob, It looks like you're the man. I got a test file to convert with good audio after downloading and installing ac3filter per your instructions. I'll give it a more extensive test tomorrow. Just out of curiosity, did you have a similar problem? I wonder if this is a CS5 general problem, or just a rare anomally? I'm waiting on Jake for a followup suggestion (he was working on it for me), but I'll probably just tell him it's fixed. Thanks again, John

June 13th, 2010, 11:34 AM	#6
John Rich Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 80	Bob, I found this down at the bottom of the discussion on conversion of AVCHD in the "Tech Blog" "NOTE about Audio: If you are not properly converting audio, you may not have an AC3 decoder installed. Many software packages install an AC3 decoder, but if not, you can get a free AC3 decoder here". It would have been handier if it were up at the top, since I originally didn't get down to it before. Also, perhaps this should be the first suggestion for audio problems from tech support. IMO, your specific instructions for installation also should be included. Unfortunately, for Cineform, there is probably a wide spectrum of technical expertise represented in their users so they may not be sure how detailed to make their technical suggestions. Personally, I would favor more details. John