dell i3 low audio solved Broken sound

[Vixen]

Ever since the most recent update to Videopad, all videos added to projects will only load sound for the first half. Audio was working properly in the project until this update, clearing cache files (while having no project open) has no effect, and I have double checked that the audio is not broken in the video itself.

Is there any fix or at least a way to revert back to the previous version temporarily?

[borate]

What's the version #?  Look at the start-up screen or the left-bottom corner of the Videopad window.  Here's the latest.  For licensed users upgrades are free for up to six months from purchase date.  After that, VP will continue to fully function but a fee will be required in order to register the newest.  Retain your old install file and registration info.

 No other reports of this have been posted.

Share your project.  Someone will take a look and come up with a fix.  The process is easy, quick and can be done privately.  Just follow these steps...

•     Back up --- With your project on the timeline, click on MENU at the top-left.  Click FILE|BACK UP PROJECT FILES TO FOLDER.  Choose a folder and SELECT FOLDER.
•     Upload ---  Use a free server - Google Drive, MS OneDrive, etc.* - to upload the saved, numbered FOLDER.    Do NOT upload the individual VPJ or export file. 
•     Get link --- Get a public link.  If using Google Drive click GET SHAREABLE LINK. If necessary change "restricted" to "anyone with the link can view" 
•     Share ---     Click COPY LINK | DONE.  Paste that link here, or click the folder at the top-right of this forum to message it privately to me.  It won't be shared.

          *    Before uploading, right-click the folder, click PROPERTIES.  Look at the File Size to confirm that it's not too big for the free space on the server.

[Vixen]

Version #10.12

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Hzf6_8BRI2ublIalswhiFW0XrbyXg6h5?usp=sharing

[borate]

You have stumbled upon an obscure bug, apparently due to the encoding of the MKV files.  It's been reported.

Consider recording future projects using a different format or codec.  Or convert them... https://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/index.html

Another route to fixing files like these MKVs is to use an extractor.  Add the audio file that results to another VP track, in sync, and mute the original.

[Vixen]

Thank you, I'll try converting to mp4.

[borate]

The batch extractor method mentioned above takes but a few minutes - faster than converting.  The result will look like this, with the original audio track muted.

[borate]

Fixed in the current version.  If thumbnails do not display, expand the timeline with the slider at the right-bottom of the VP window.

[Joel S]

Hello-

I just downloaded and installed the version that Borate posted on March 2.  This was version  8.97 that superceded the version 8.91 that I was using.

My problem is the same as has been mentioned numerous times on this forum.  That is an inability to generate any sort of audio track once I load a functioning MP4 file.  It used to be that once I clicked the Play button while in the Preview Window, I would at least get a text message highlighted in yellow at the bottom of the screen stating my sound clips were not yet done processing.  When I ultimately waited for that processing step to complete, I would see a proper Audio track with a waveform that could be used to tell where there were dead spots or gaps in my audio so that I could remove those gaps.  Now, with this 8.97 version as well as with 8.91 and earlier versions, I no longer see that message and I am left with absolutely no audio track at all.  I am creating these MP4 files using Debut so it is truly transferring one file from one NCH application to another.  

Is this an ongoing bug with VideoPad or is the real cause some setting in Debut that I unknowingly have that prevents me from coming up with any sort of audio track?  This is very frustrating as I have no other way to split the relatively large (770 MB) video files I am creating in Debut. These files reflect up to 6 hours of continuous video and they play just fine as MP4 files with perfect audio using a variety of other video file players.  I truly need to have control over these MP4 files to where I can do something with the audio tracks I know are embedded in the video track. 

I would appreciate any assistance to resolve this.  I had already cleared the folders that Borate suggested and after reinstalling, nothing changed.  Thank you very much.

 

[borate]

Please install the current version.  If you have a 64-bit PC try this one.  If a 32-bit, this is the latest.  Earlier occasional audio load failure should be remedied.

For licensed users upgrades are free for up to six months from purchase date.  After that, VP will continue to fully function but a fee will be required in order to register the newest.  Retain your old install file and registration info.  The unlicensed 64-bit free version, with some limitations, is here.

If the problem persists, share a file that does this and someone here will check it out.  Just upload the file/s to a free server, such as Google Drive or MS OneDrive, get a shared (public) link, copy the link and paste it here or to me in a Private Message via the mail envelope in the top-right corner of this forum.

Using Google Drive, if necessary change "restricted" to "anyone with link can view."

[Joel S]

Hello-

I very much appreciate your sending me the link for the 64-bit version. I now have version 10.35 Professional installed.  As I have moved up from my earlier version of 8.91 to 10.35, I have been able to use the same registration code that I was originally issued almost a year ago.  I was unaware there is a need for existing users to pay an additional fee after 6 months in order to register it.  I hope the fact that I am outside of that 6 month window since purchase is not the cause for my ongoing problems since I have never paid any additional fees beyond the original $40 US.

Once the new version was installed, I did the same test I have been doing and there is no change, no improvement.  After waiting the few minutes to go through the processing of my MP4, the message highlighted in yellow that appears at the bottom of the screen goes away and I continue to be left with the "flat line" waveform for the audio track. I have added screenshots of that flat line audio file in my Google drive folder along with the actual 90 Megabyte MP4 file that I am using for testing.

The link for the actual MP4 file  is: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sq7xWReNCvDYf35qgQLz3OgaEZkDEJNO/view?usp=sharing and the link to see the screenshot of the flat line audio form is: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QFUB30Ofd1xgvkqjR1Y9aPOKDAtfbrfm/view?usp=sharing.  As you can imagine, there is not really much to see when viewing that flat line waveform screenshot.  I still have no audio file at all being created in VideoPad from this 90 Megabyte source MP4 file.  As a result, I did take your suggestion and used the Pazera-Free-Audio-Extractor_64bit program to create a separate MP3 file from the 90 Megabyte MP4 file above.  When I attempted to simply add that newly created MP3 directly to the Audio track in VideoPad, the result was a proper audio file though it was quite muted when played in VideoPad.  Note when bringing this MP3 file into the NCH WavePad Sound Editor program, it playing perfectly and the sound was not muted in any way.  It just seems very clear there is something that is blocking or preventing any audio track from being created in the expected way when I load any MP4 files from Debut into VideoPad, regardless of the version and regardless of the size of that MP4 source file.  I have tried numerous MP4 files, all of them generated in Debut and continue to get no audio.  For the record, the settings for the video and audio on these MP4 files from Debut are:

Video:  AVC, kbit/s varies between 50 and 256 kbit/s, resolution is 1280x702 

Audio:  AAC, 158 kbit/s CBR, Channels: 2 

I am really looking for help to get this resolved or the whole purpose for my buying VideoPad has been defeated. 

Thanks again for following up with me.

Joel Stevens

[borate]

You lucked out with registration after the six-month grace period.  This has no bearing on the audio issue.  Of course, your 8.91 would have continued to function.

Here, the mp4 loaded in about ten-seconds and cached in a minute or so with full audio on the timeline... 

This hints at a VP installation or PC fault.  Try this...

Shut down VP.  Use Windows Explorer (the file manager) to delete all files in these folders...

"C:\Program Files (x86)\NCH Software\Components"  (or similar without the X86)

"C:\Users\<PC Name>\AppData\Roaming\NCH Software\Components"

Reboot the PC.

Reinstall the latest 64-bit version, which you may already have.  (Right-click on the install file and click PROPERTIES - compare file sizes)

What are the specs of your PC:  CPU/GPU/RAM?

[Joel S]

Wow, Borate.  Thanks so much for this timely research.

As you had previously suggested deleting all files in those 2 folders which resulted in another user having success, I am certainly interested in following the same process.  However, I need to note on my Dell Model 3793 running Windows 10 Pro, I do not have a folder called C:\Users\<PC Name>\AppData\Roaming\NCH Software\Components.  The specs on my laptop are:  Model Inspiron 3793, Processor is Intel Core i3-1005G1 CPU @ 1.20 GHz  1.19 GHz.  Installed RAM is 8 GB with speed not known, 64-bit OS.  This would seem like quite a dramatic situation if something as basic and important as being able to create an audio file is tied to the installation of the actual product.  I will say for any of the six NCH applications that I have, they are always very straight forward to install.  I will follow the same process as I would always do which is simply run the .EXE file as Administrator then enter the registration code and the program is immediately available.

I will remove the series of folders I see in the C:\Program Files (x86)\NCH Software\Components folder, remove the existing version VideoPad 10.35, reboot and re-install. When you say compare file sizes, I can tell you the Videopadsetup_v10.35.exe file shows a file size of 5,321 KB.  The videopadsetup.exe for that version shows the same size.  For what it is worth, the videopadsetup_v8.97.exe file had a size of 3,362 KB.

I am floored with your result that a full audio was created and I am very concerned about what my next step is if the above attempt does not work.  Again, thanks for your help and I will report within the next 10 minutes.

 

 

[Joel S]

OK, Borate, here is the bottom line.

All along there has been an audio track being created but I have never seen a waveform at such a reducted miniscule level.  What I was seeing as a flat line was truly an audio waveform but it was so reduced in amplitude as created by the processing (at least on my laptop) of the embedded audio that it was constantly appearing as if there was no track being created.  I have the Zoom and other settings turned all the way up to see if I can magnify the waveform but the peaks on that waveform are barely visible no matter where the settings are.  This is most disconcerting since your screenshot shows a very definite waveform with plenty of amplitude on the peaks.  Thanks to a YouTube video, I learned I can use the Amplify audio effect to turn up the gain on this audio track and that is the only way I am able to actually hear the audio track.  I did the full re-install per your instructions and while I am sure that didn't hurt, I am hopeful the installation is not related to what I have been seeing.  There is a difference between NO audio track being created and one that barely is visible under normal viewing settings within the program.  I am well familiar with how a waveform should look for an audio track and in this case, it is very disappointing to not know why this waveform is a virtual flatline with no way to have it show as a normal waveform so that I can do what I was always wanting which is to remove gaps of no sound in an efficient fast way.  I very much appreciate your help to make sure I was getting a proper install but as far as I am concerned, this problem of an extremely reduced waveform still exists and has not been resolved.

Thanks again and I will be submitting this to NCH Support. Whether they generate some sort of decent answer is unknown.

 

[borate]

Your file was tested in two recent VP versions and in 8.99, which predates some significant under-the-hood improvements.  Results were identical, and normal.

Then the file was run on an I3 laptop that is nearly identical to yours, which replicated your result.  Audio peaked at only -36 (or so) and the waveform was nearly flat.  (Even if amplified the result will not alter the waveform.)  Other mp4 files tested were normal.  This has been reported to development.  Please leave your link to the file 'hot' for a week or so.

[Joel S]

OK, Borate, thanks again.  Will do the testing you describe though it may take me a day or so to get that done.  I will certainly leave the link live for as long as needed.  I am at least somewhat relieved that there is a workaround where I can hear the audio track after I apply the Amplify effect.  Otherwise, I had virtually no audio at all and that was most disconcerting.  If the bottom line is that production versions show this problem only on laptops that have similar hardware specs as mine, it may give me a reason to reconsider moving forward with VideoPad though I absolutely want to stay with it if at all possible.  It would be the first time in 30 years of IT work that I came across an application having loss of some features when loaded on a specific type of laptop.  I realize though, that scenario can sometimes take place and can only be found after going through the exercises that we have been doing.  Thanks again.

 

[borate]

As you know, it's virtually impossible to test an app against every possible hardware/software configuration.   This issue appears to be unique.

Once a fault can be replicated by the developers, it will be fixed.  Stay tuned to this thread for updates.

 

[Joel S]

Borate-

I did take the time to do some immediate testing and really need to let you know that version 8.45 that you recommended to me truly WORKS!   I absolutely have a perfectly good audio track created for both of my test files and this is a GREAT result.  In addition to the 90 MB file that I sent you the link for, I also have been testing another MP4 that is sized at  770 MB (6.5 hours in length) that I would rather not post a link for.  However, both of those files are now properly AND promptly generating exactly the correct audio track that I need.  In addition to a big THANK YOU, I need to ask if the developers can now review the code that is working correctly in version 8.45 for my hardware and apply that same code in an upcoming build, is it expected that the new build will still work on my specific hardware?  I guess we can only wait to see what happens but this is really a very satisfying result and I will certainly be staying with version 8.45 until further notice.  I have to say I must have been using 8.45 a number of months ago and only recently upgraded to 8.91 at which point I did notice I no longer was getting any decent audio track.  So, thanks to your persistence, we can say, at least for my hardware specs, things were working just fine up to 8.45 but by 8.91, they were no longer working as desired.  I will leave it at that and again, thanks so much for leading me to a solution that I can work with.

 

[borate]

Good to hear.

Re-encoding (1280x720) was successful in several recent VP versions.  Something about the Debut file is not being handled correctly by certain VP installs.       Perhaps you can adjust future Debut audio export parameters to comply the these specs...

Drop by again from time to time.  If a solution is found it will be posted here.  Little doubt it will work with your hardware.

[Joel S]

I would love to know how to adjust future Debut audio export parameters to the level you are showing but if you are at all familiar with Debut, there are just not many settings that can be tweaked.  In Debut, setting a Frame rate is available, 2 channels is always assumed and I can investigate sampling rate choices but I don't see where I can set the Codec to mp4a-40-2.  All I see is H264, 265 and MP4.   A setting for Format is truly available as AAC (not specifically AAC LC).  If I can continue to try to get to something close to the above settings from within Debut and a proper audio track is generated consistently, then we should be in business on my hardware.

I will await any future releases and can test them against the gold standard for me which is now version 8.45.  I really appreciate your continuous effort on this problem, especially on a weekend and ESPECIALLY on a problem that seems to be specific to me.  I have not seen this kind of off-hours support from any vendor and it is truly appreciated.  Take care.  

[borate]

This is a peer support forum - mostly folks just like yourself helping others.

In Debut, try mp4 at 384 CBR, sampling 48, if available.

It's lucky that my laptop is virtually the same as yours.  Had that not been the case, the fault might never have been replicable.

[Joel S]

Hello Borate-

Just as a summary, these are the possible Audio encoding settings in Debut:

Compressor is fixed at AAC

Preferred Channel Numbers: Ranges from 6 down to 1 but I always have left it at a setting of 2

Audio Quality/Bitrate: High Quality, Default Quality, Medium Quality, Low Quality, Very Low Quality, 192 Kbps, 128 Kbps, 96 Kbps and 64 Kbps

I have been set at Medium Quality for quite some time as I was not aware of any other setting that would make a difference.  I guess I can roll through various Audio Quality/Bitrate settings to see if they will get to a good audio track at version 10.35 but that will take some time.

On that basis, I am not seeing any way to get to a CBR (Constant Bitrate?) of 384 or a sampling of 48 KHz?  If you are saying I can get to those settings and that will produce MP4 files that will work at version 10.35 on my laptop, that would be great but I am just not seeing how I can get to those specific settings.  While there are numerous settings in Debut, I just am not seeing how I can reach those specific settings.  Yes, we lucked out that our laptops are similar and more importantly that you have the ability to forward legacy versions of VideoPad to me.  Can I ask where you got those audio specs that you pasted into the forum here as a screenshot?   Thank you.

[borate]

Your Debut output was at a CBR.  The pasted stats were from the re-encoded file that succeeds.

So, If you want to experiment, try higher quality settings.  Default is a good starting place.  No guarantees that this will make a difference.

[Maxence]

Hello there, i'm from France and got the broken sound too this afternoon when VP offers me to upgrate to the newest version (10.28 in french).

Yesterday I use VP normally and no sound problem with every video. But I can't tell you the version of VP yesterday.

I try everything you said but still got the sound problem...VP is registered btw.
Here's my computer spec : i7 9700kf, 16giga ram and gtx 1050ti. I'm using like always .mp4 clip upload from my dashcam Blackvue dr-900s 2 channel in 4k or full hd.

The 64bit version you give, still got some sound problem. I try with the old 8.81version.exe (french) i've got and got the same problem as well.
I try the oldest version i've got (4.40) and miracle sound is on !!! So i'm gonna use this one with my registration code for now...

So i'm thinking of something, before installing the update VP work perfectly fine...after the update, no sound. So I thought, I may i've update from version 8.81 --> 10.28 but my licence work on "(This registration is for) Versions 9.07 (Windows) and 9.05 (Apple Mac) as well as any versions released prior to these versions." (cut from the mail you send me when I buy the licence)
My point is, now that i've update to the latest version, my registration code is broken ? Unistall and install 8-10 times to test what you suggest did delete my registration code ? I must pay for another one ??

Thanks for your response

[borate]

After purchase, upgrades are free for six-months.  But they can be test driven unlicensed, to see if new features are appealing.  You can always revert to your earlier licensed version if you don't care to register a more recent release.

Try this...

Delete all files in these two Windows folders...

"C:\Users\<PC Name>\AppData\Roaming\NCH Software\Components"

"C:\Program Files (x86)\NCH Software\Components"  (or similar, without the X86)

Then reboot and install Videopad.  If a component was corrupt, that should fix it.

Report back.

[Maxence]

Hello there,

It doesn't work at all !! I try everything but the 10.28 version is bugged on my computer. I even try the 8.97 ou 8.81 and same bug, but my computer is still the same so...

Btw I try to buy another licence code for the 10.28 today but still the same so I fill the refund form on your site and I'm going to use the old 4.40 version (which works perfectly) since the my licence code work on it too.

I'm really dissapointed now because the version I've got before your update was working perfectly fine. Plus, I'm in the 6 months of free update for my registration code...

Thanks