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1. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Hindsight_Productions May 24, 2012 7:13 AM (in response to eday_2010)I believe that you need a plugin to handle Dolby 5.1 (Minnetonka). As in comes, CS6 will handle Dolby, but it down grades it to 2-channel stereo. There may a trail period for use of 5.1, but I think even it down grades to stereo for output.
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2. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 24, 2012 7:54 AM (in response to Hindsight_Productions)The number of "trials" for the Minnetonka Audio SurCode DD 5.1 SS Encoder plug-in WAS three. Not sure if that has changed with CS 6. After that, one would need to purchase that SurCode plug-in, add in the S/N in the proper dialog box for the SurCode plug-in, and then DD 5.1 SS AC3 is unlimited.
Good luck to the OP,
Hunt
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3. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 24, 2012 8:37 AM (in response to Bill Hunt)Well, that's annoying. An $800 program needs a third party plug-in for DD 5.1, but I can get cheaper programs that handle it by default. I guess I'll try the Minnetonka trial then and see how that goes. Thanks for the info!
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4. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Harm Millaard May 24, 2012 9:01 AM (in response to eday_2010)The choice is simple. Dolby charges licensing fees. You can include that in the basic program by adding the licensing cost to the price of $ 800, increasing it even further, or you can leave the choice to the user. Adobe chose the latter approach, because not everybody needs or wants 5.1 sound. Makes sense to me.
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5. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
JSS1138 May 24, 2012 9:03 AM (in response to Harm Millaard)Me too. In 10 years of editing, I haven't used it yet. I'd hate to have paid for it all those years.
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6. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 24, 2012 9:19 AM (in response to Harm Millaard)This has been an argument, discussed since at least PrPro 2.0.
Going back to about that point (when Minnetonka Audio offered a discount for PrPro users), Minnetonka Audio basically opened up their books to me, when I inquired about volume licensing. I do not recall the exact prices, or even the discount, but the Dolby Labs' charge was most of the cost, and Minnetonka Audio only made about US $50 per SurCode plug-in.
Now, with the Minnetonka Audio SurCode, one CAN use the DD logo, when certain criteria have been met. With most other 5.1 SS Encoders, they are NOT certified DD, so cannot legally display that logo. Sony, with their Vegas NLE's, seems to be an exception to that restriction. I am not sure what the legal issues are, but Sony does (or did) create DD 5.1 SS, with some of their programs. Perhaps some sort of "brother-in-law deal" with Dolby Labs?
To some editors, having fully legal DD logos is not important to them, or to their clients. In those cases, there are a few other methods (though somewhat convoluted), to Export 5.1 SS AC3's, just not DD-certified.
I used the DD 5.1 SS enough, that I bought a license for each computer, and felt that my $ was well-spent. As you, and others mention, paying the licensing fee to Dolby and Minnetonka Audio, if one never uses the SurCode plug-in alters the price-point of the program, and all users will be paying more, whether they derive any value, or not. To me, it has more than paid for itself.
It would akin to Adobe including the full Red Giant Magic Bullet Looks suite in their program. Price would go up, and many users would never need that, or want it.
If asked, my vote would be to keep things, as they are, and those who want/need the SurCode plug-in can buy it.
Hunt
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7. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Hindsight_Productions May 24, 2012 9:25 AM (in response to Harm Millaard)I understand the thinking, but how do programs like Avid Studio ($129) offer 5.1 functionality?
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8. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 24, 2012 9:27 AM (in response to Hindsight_Productions)I do not know about Studio, but it could well be that their 5.1 SS Encoder is not Dolby Labs certified. Some other, consumer-level programs do that - 5.1 SS, but not DD 5.1 SS. Maybe someone from AVID can answer that question?
Good luck,
Hunt
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9. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Hindsight_Productions May 24, 2012 9:43 AM (in response to Bill Hunt)Here is an excerpt from Avid's Studio specs (whihc identifies Dolby® Digital 2/5.1 channel audio):
Specifications
Input Options
- Capture from DV, HDV, and Digital8 camcorders or VCRs (requires a FireWire® port)
- Capture from analog camcorders, 8 mm, HI 8, VHS, SVHS, VHS-C, SVHS-C, or VCRs (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) (requires Pinnacle or Dazzle video hardware)
- Import from AVCHD* and other file-based camcorders, digital still cameras, mobile devices, and webcams
Import Formats
- Video: AVCHD*, AVCHD Lite*, BD Blu-ray*, DV, HDV, AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX®*, MPEG-4*, 3GP (MPEG-4, H.263)*, WMV, non-encrypted DVD titles (incl. DVD-VR/+VR), QuickTime® (DV, MJPEG, MPEG-4*, H.264*), DivX Plus® MKV*
- Audio: MP3, MPA, M4A, WAV, AC3*, WMA
- Graphic: BMP, GIF, JPG, PCX, PSD, TGA, TIF, WMF, PNG, J2K
Export Formats
- AVCHD*, AVCHD Lite*, BD Blu-ray*, DVD (DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R or DVD+RW, dual layer)
- Apple® iPod®, Sony® PSP/PS3, Nintendo® Wii, Microsoft® Xbox-compatible formats*
- DV, HDV, AVI, DivX*, RealVideo® 8, WMV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4*, Flash, 3GP*, WAV, MP2, MP3*, QuickTime®, MP4*, H.264*, YouTube HD*, DivX Plus MKV*
- Dolby® Digital 2/5.1 channel audio*
Optional Accessories
- DVD burner for creating DVD and AVCHD* discs
- Blu-ray burner for creating Blu-ray discs*
* Requires free product activation via the Internet.
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10. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
JSS1138 May 24, 2012 9:59 AM (in response to Hindsight_Productions)how do programs like Avid Studio ($129) offer 5.1 functionality?
Here's how.
"We've partnered with fellow industry leaders to bring you over $2,000 in professional editing plug-ins and effects."
Maybe both companies are running some sort of promotion, or maybe this is a loss leader for them. I don't work for either company, so I can only speculate as to the deal that was made.
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11. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 24, 2012 11:16 AM (in response to Bill Hunt)Where can I get the trial for surcode for Adobe Premiere? It is not listed as an available download on Minnetonka's website. I would like to try it out before handing over that much money.
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12. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Hindsight_Productions May 24, 2012 11:25 AM (in response to eday_2010)I think you activite the trial within Premiere Pro, and as Bill hunt mentioned, it works three times and then asks for an activiation code.
BTW, Bill, Avid Studio includes Magic Bullett Looks too.
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13. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 24, 2012 11:38 AM (in response to Hindsight_Productions)It must be well hidden if the trial is already a part of PrePro CS6, because I cannot find it.
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14. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Harm Millaard May 24, 2012 11:50 AM (in response to eday_2010) -
15. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 24, 2012 12:07 PM (in response to Harm Millaard)I don't have that option. My choices are Dolby Digital (stereo) and PCM. I can export in AAC 5.1 when exporting to an h.264 file, but when exporting to Blu-ray (which is my end goal), stereo is my only option. And while I can export to 5.1 in some file formats, I still cannot hear 5.1 when working on a project.
I figured there would be a trial program somewhere to download.
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16. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Harm Millaard May 24, 2012 12:14 PM (in response to eday_2010)Be aware that the export option shown in the screen grab is MPEG2-BR, not H.264-BR. The Minnetonka plug-in and/or Adobe still has problems in combination with H.264-BR, but they are working on that.
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17. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 24, 2012 12:19 PM (in response to Harm Millaard)Even when picking MPEG2-BR, my option for Dolby Digital is stereo only.
I am more concerned about being able to hear my 5.1 audio tracks in 5.1 when I am working on a project.
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18. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 24, 2012 12:43 PM (in response to eday_2010)This will be a function of your Project's Master (set that to 5.1), and then your hardware, plus its settings, and he Audio Hardware/ASIO settings in PrPro. One does not need the Minnetonka Audio SurCode DD 5.1 SS Encoder plug-in to monitor 5.1 Audio - just to Export that.
Good luck,
Hunt
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19. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 24, 2012 12:47 PM (in response to Hindsight_Productions)WOW! A US $129 NLE, that has $800 worth of Red Giant plug-ins, plus $295 in Dolby-certified Encoding software. That is an amazing "loss leader!"
Hunt
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20. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 24, 2012 12:52 PM (in response to Bill Hunt)Well, then PrePro doesn't like my on-board Realtek sound card and/or it's drivers. The Project's Master was set to 5.1, but it's still spitting out stereo when I am in PrePro.
I'll check for a driver update to see if I can fix the problem. I know the surround sound works, it just doesn't work in PrePro for some reason.
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21. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 24, 2012 1:42 PM (in response to eday_2010)Also check the Edit>Preferences>Audio Hardware, and also the ASIO settings.
If all else fails, you might want to look into ASIO4All. That driver has fixed many problems for a lot of people - some with on-board sound, and some with heavy-hitting esoteric pro gear.
Good luck,
Hunt
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22. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 24, 2012 2:25 PM (in response to Bill Hunt)ASIO4All seems to have done the trick. I can now hear things in 5.1. Thanks for the help!
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23. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 24, 2012 2:42 PM (in response to eday_2010)You are most welcome.
I went with it some years back, when I had the same problem with my audio card. Someone on the Audition Forum pointed me to it. It gets mentioned a lot there.
Hunt
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24. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 25, 2012 2:47 PM (in response to Bill Hunt)Still trying to find the trial for Surcode for Premiere to try it out if anyone knows where I can find it.
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25. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 25, 2012 5:17 PM (in response to eday_2010)OK, unless things have changed, when one chooses to Export to MPEG (and Audio only in this case), one should be taken to the SurCode tab from Options, when Dolby Digital is chosen in Adobe Media Encoder (AME). The three (unless that has changed) trial usages are from within PrPro.
Now, I did see a "trial" listed on one of the pages at Minnetonka Audio, but am not sure what that is, or if it pertains.
Besides the SurCode DD 5.1 SS plug-in for PrPro, Minnetonka Audio offers many other Encoders, though most are stand-alones.
Good luck,
Hunt
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26. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 25, 2012 7:00 PM (in response to Bill Hunt)Nope, my only option for Dolby Digital is stereo.
On a similar note, are there any DTS surround plugins for PrePro? That would be another option. As long as I can export in 5.1 Surround, I don't care if it's Dolby or DTS.
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28. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 26, 2012 8:31 AM (in response to eday_2010)I do not know of a DTS plug-in, but Minnetonka Audio sells a DTS stand-alone.
I edit a 5.1 Project, then output the Audio to WMA-multi-channel, which I bring into Audition in Multi-Track Mode. There I tweak it, and output as 6 discrete WAV files, which Import into the DTS Encoder.
Slightly longer workflow, but the sound is astounding, and better than DD 5.1 SS AC3.
Now, remember that DTS is not a primary Audio source for DVD, so can ONLY be supplemental. I include a Menu to allow the user to choose either the primary Audio, or the supplemental DTS. On most players, one can also make that selection via the remote control.
Good luck, and maybe other will know of a DTS plug-in, but I have never found one.
Hunt
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29. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Bill Hunt May 26, 2012 8:34 AM (in response to JSS1138)Jim,
Thank you for that first link. I had not seen that.
I've been using the Minnetonka Audio SurCode DTS for some years, and have been happy, so maybe I just stopped looking?
Appreciated,
Hunt
[Edit] Dude, you are either up very early, or staying up late...
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30. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
JSS1138 May 26, 2012 10:42 AM (in response to Bill Hunt)I'm NEVER up early.
But I am frequently a night owl.
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31. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
JSS1138 May 26, 2012 10:45 AM (in response to Bill Hunt)DTS is not a primary Audio source for DVD
That should probably read DTS is not a mandatory audio stream for DVD, you do need either PCM or DD in addition to DTS. But DTS can be set as the default audio stream.
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32. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
eday_2010 May 26, 2012 9:11 PM (in response to Bill Hunt)Now, remember that DTS is not a primary Audio source for DVD, so can ONLY be supplemental.
DVD is so 2003. I am working with Blu-ray . I'll poke around and see what I can find. Your method sounds plausible.
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33. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
JSS1138 May 26, 2012 10:13 PM (in response to eday_2010)For Blu-ray it's a different story. DTS can be the only audio stream.
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34. Re: 5.1 ac3 audio plays and exports as stereo in CS6
Croweyes1121 Aug 11, 2014 5:00 AM (in response to eday_2010)I have a method of doing this that honestly I would prefer even if I could afford the SurCode encoder:
1. Export video with the H.264 Blu-ray preset, and export audio with the Waveform preset (make sure output is set to 5.1). This will leave you with one .m4v file and one .wav file.
2. Use eac3to to extract 6 mono .wav files from the single .wav you created in step 1.
3. Use DTS-MA Encoder Suite (easy enough to find for free) to encode to DTS-MA 5.1. This will give you a .dtshd file.
4. Remux your .m4v video file with your .dtshd audio file with tsmuxer (I export to .m2ts, but that's just my preference).
Done.
I prefer this method because you don't lose any quality from the original 5.1 audio using lossless.
Side Note: If you want your file to read correctly on a PS3, it needs to be exported in tsmuxer in an AVDHD folder structure, then fixed with AVCHDME to comply with the 8.3 file naming convention.




