MOV output has split audio in QuickTime

[Ron Hunter]

I just made a 4minute product introduction video using PRE9. The audio should be a blend of my voice as narration and Ron's "TechnoTranceMe" wave file as the soundtrack. I "shared" the timeline using Share>Computer>QuickTime with a "YouTube friendly" preset (AAC codec, stereo, 44.1kHz sampling rate).

When I view the output MOV file with Windows Media Player, the audio sounds fine with a blend of narration and soundtrack balanced between left and right ears. However, when I view the movie with QuickTime, my voice is in the left ear and the musical soundtrack is in the right ear. This is annoying and objectionable to my audience. Final medium is YouTube but I'm concerned the audio will sound "split" if the movie is uploaded in its current state.

I tried creating a movie without the soundtrack, then adding the soundtrack to the movie and re-exporting it. Same results.

Why is this happening, and what can I do to correct it?

Thanks!

[Steve Grisetti]

That's a tough one, Ron! I've never heard of that happening -- and I don't have any idea what could be causing it.

Until we figure out, there's a simple workaround: Output your video as an AVI using Share/Computer/AVI with the DV preset. Then open a new project, put that AVI on the timeline and output your MOV from there.

And if that STILL results in this issue, something very strange is going on.

It could be related to the fact that Apple is, I believe, still working on a 64-bit version of Quicktime Player for Windows. (Or intentionally boycotting it, as they did with iTunes when Vista first came out.) But that's just speculation.

[Ron Hunter]

Steve, since this is a HD project will your AVI suggestion work?

I note that when the HD timeline is produced with Share>MobilePhone>iPod and iPhone>"Vimeo and Muvipix Recommendation" preset (MP4 output), this audio problem doesn't happen. Audio settings for that preset are also AAC codec, 44.1kHz sample rate, stereo, 128kbps. (Note that the "YouTube Friendly Preset" I used for the problematic file doesn't specify bit rate for audio encoding. Don't know if that matters or not.)

I wonder how YouTube will respond if I upload a movie created with Vimeo preset? Guess I'll just try and see how it works out.

[Ron Hunter]

PROBLEM SOLVED. My fault, the original audio was recorded in MONO. Just found out this morning. D'oh! I'm using "Fill Left" from PRE9 audio effects to give me a stereo presentation.

[Steve Grisetti]

D'oh indeed!

Glad you were able to resolve that one, Ron.