Audio Issues

I recently bought a Sony DCR-SR200. I've transferred my first few files to my computer. When I open the files in the apps that came with the camcorder, everything is fine.

However, when I open the files with Windows Media Player or my editing software, there is no sound.

What do I need to do?

Thanks,

Mr. Clark

Just to clarify, you can open a file in the apps that came with your camcorder & the audio & video play fine. Then you open that exact same file in Windows Media player & get video but no audio?

Just to clarify, you can open a file in the apps that came with your camcorder & the audio & video play fine. Then you open that exact same file in Windows Media player & get video but no audio?

Yes, that is exactly the problem I'm having.

BTW, I went to Sony's support site and started a live chat. Once I told the rep that the files worked with the supplied software, he just told me to contact the company that supplied the other software.

I would think Sony would want their files to work properly in Windows Media Player, but they don't consider it an issue for them.

It is most likely a codec issue. An audio codec issue. If you have 5.1 audio (Surround Sound) that is most likely the problem, you may need the licensed codec. Many times installing software will also install the proper codec. Sorry but I have been usng Microsoft since the beginning and have never become adept at solving their codec issues. I do not reccomend you start loading every codec you can find and the "Download codecs Automatically" in Window Media Player has never worked for me.



Rich

Your going to have to convert it to DV. Go to http://www.squared5.com to get the windows version. Not sure if you need a special codec though. I have the SR100, which like yours, records to mpeg2 format. I had to buy a 20 codec from apple to get my sound. Follow the instructions on there site to see if they tell you that you have to buy one or not. You could try another media player like VLC to see if you get the sound or not. My guess you won't though. Let us know what you had to do.
Randy

Your going to have to convert it to DV. Bad idea.

The audio is there. "When I open the files in the apps that came with the camcorder, everything is fine." However, when I open the files with Windows Media Player or my editing software, there is no sound.




Rich

FYI:

The following codecs are supported in Windows Media Player for Windows XP: • Cinepak codec
• ClearVideo Decoder Driver
• Fraunhofer IIS MPEG Layer-3 Codec
• Fraunhofer IIS MPEG Layer-3 Codec for MSACM
• Intel Audio Codec
• Intel I.263 Video Driver
• Intel Indeo 3.0 Video Codec
• Intel Indeo 5.0 Video Codec
• Intel Indeo(R) Video Interactive 32-bit Driver
• Intel RAW YVU9 Video Driver
• Lernout And Hauspie Codecs
• Microsoft MPEG-4 Standard Video Codec
• Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec v1
• Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec v2
• Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Codec v3
• Microsoft Network Audio CODEC
• Microsoft Screen Video Decompressor
• Microsoft Windows Media Video v7
• Microsoft Windows Media Video v8
• Sharp G.726 Audio Codec
• Sipro Lab Audio Telecom CODEC (Acelp)
• Streaming Animation Support
• Vivo H.263 Video CODEC
• Vivo Siren Audio CODEC
• VivoActive Audio CODEC
• Voxware MetaSound
• Voxware MetaVoice
• Windows Media Audio Codec
NOTE: Not all of the supported codecs are installed by default. These codecs will be downloadable when you play content that requires the codec.

Since mpeg2 isn't supported, it will have to be converted or using the software supplied buy sony, burn it unedited to disc. Unless you have a better solution, I think the solution I suggested will work with minimal loss of quality. I barely notice it when doing this.
Randy

Since mpeg2 isn't supported, it will have to be converted or using the software supplied buy sony, burn it unedited to disc.
You are assuming MPEG2 is not supported in Windows Media Player. MPEG2 and DVD's play on my two systems with Windows Media Player Version 10.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316992:
Because Microsoft Windows operating systems provide only an MPEG-1 video decoder, Windows Media Player cannot play MPEG-2 program streams without an additional MPEG-2 video decoder (also known as a DVD decoder pack) installed. For more information about purchasing DVD decoder packs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/plugins.aspx

What makes you think converting the file to DV will make the audio play?

Why are you recommending the person burn it unedited to disc?

Unless you have a better solution,Yes, get the proper codec (decoder) as described above. I believe my systems play MPEG2 because I have third party DVD player software installed on my systems.

I think the solution I suggested will work with minimal loss of quality. I barely notice it when doing this.Seems like a lot of extra unecessary work just to be able to play video files. Fixing the problem seems to be a better course of action.

Installing DVD playback software may be one solution.

Perhaps someone who has the same camcorder might offer a solution.



Rich

The problem with his SR200 and my SR100 is since it records in mpeg2 format, your going to have to buy something to watch and listen to the video. Both camcorders have the burn to dics option without editing. I have never used this option to see how well it works but I prefer to edit out the stuff I don't want before burning.
Since I use a mac, I have never used sony vegas or some of the other editing packages that let you edit the mpeg2 which he will still have to purchase.
Mpeg streamclip lets you convert to DV for free, edit it in any editing software, then burn the edited film to disc. With the mac version, I had to purchase the mpeg2 codec to have the sound. Not sure with the windows version though.
Yeah, its another step, but it works. 20 bucks is all I spent (for the codec) and iMovie came with my iMac so this wasn't expensive.
IF he uses mpeg streamclip and IF he has to buy the codec, and uses windows movie maker, which I think comes free with most new pc's, this would be a inexpensive way for him to edit and burn his movie.
Buying a program to just watch his unedited movie would add to the expense, IMHO.
If anyone out here use vegas or other software to work with MPEG2 files, please chime in for your solutions. I am sure there are other ways.
Randy

Here is what I finally did...

As suggested a couple of places here, I downloaded MPEG Streamclip. Of course, I also had to pay the $20 for the MPEG codec from Apple. Streamclip states that you can use the Quicktime-like software and not have to spend the $20, but I couldn't make it work.

I've already converted a couple of files to MPEG with mp2 sound, and things seem to be working fine. I haven't tried my editing software yet (no time last night after getting the other stuff done and going to my son's basketball game), but I'm betting it will work too.

Thanks to all of you for your help.

Mr. Clark

Mr. Clark:

I am a bit confused.

Are you using a PC or a Mac?



Rich

Are you using a PC or a Mac?


PC

Mr. Clark

I agree, it sounds like an audio CODEC issue..

k-lite codec - is small
http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

I don't have your camcorder, but this codec is good for almost everything.
http://www.xcodecpack.net/

Try k-lite first, if that doesn't work, install xcodecpack.