PE 2025 : On M2TS files with 5.1 sound, audio channels not imported correctly

[erpol]

I'm fairly sure that this is a bug, I'm not sure if this is the proper place to report it though.

Here's what happens:

- I have M2TS video files (Sony camcorder), full 1080i 25 fps video with 5.1 audio channels.

- I create a project with the PAL full 1080i HD / 5.1 audio preconfig. The program creates 3 video channels, and 3 5.1 audio channels 

- When I import an M2TS clip to Video 1, PE2025 systematically says that the format is different from the project, do I want to conform it, etc.

- Regardless of the choice I make, the program will then create 6 additional audio channels, one for each of the clip, import the audio in them, AND leave the initial 3 5.1 channels it created empty.

The only way to circumvent this, is to convert the files to MP4 with the same settings (and highest possible quality!). Then they are recognized properly, all the audio going to the Audio 1 channel subdivided in 6 sub-channels.

The 1st screen cap is how it looks with an M2TS clip, and the second one is with the same file converted to MP4, the way it's supposed to work.

[Ann Bens]

This is a long-standing issue.

Elements interpreters the file as 6 mono tracks instead of one.

Elements does not allow you to modify the audio channels.

[erpol]

Well, at least it works with MP4, so it's a minor hassle - I just need to make a note so I know in 5 years why on earth I converted all those files !

As it is, the M2TS are unworkable, as you can't do any global audio treatment (fade ins or out, volume etc) with 6 discrete channels!

[Bill Sprague]

I have a Panasonic camcorder that records "Dolby 5.1" in the .mts format.   My solution is to change the camera settings to stereo.  If you can, consider changing the 1080i to 1080p.  I don't work for Adobe, but based on public information, there was a licensing issue between Dolby and Adobe.  It may not be possible for the 5.1 issue to be resolved. 

[Ann Bens]

IMO this has nothing to do with dolby.

Works in PPro beta after modfying the audio channels from 6 channels to one.

[erpol]

I'm not on Ppro though, so I need to make do with Elements!

[Bill Sprague]

IMO this has nothing to do with dolby.

Works in PPro beta after modfying the audio channels from 6 channels to one.

By @Ann Bens

You are probably right.   My guess was based on when 5.1 stopped working working in PrE and that my old Panasonic camcorder clearly states that it has "Dolby 5.1".  There also seems to be a lack of interest in fixing this.  I put the three events together and assumed a wrong conclusion.   

[erpol]

Unfortunately this ship has sailed - I'm talking about hours of footage shot 12 years ago, so it is what it is: 1080i with 5.1 audio. I've been shooting in stereo for some time now, 5.1 for camcorders is a bit of a gadget!

But as I said, the problem solves itself if the files are converted to MP4. 

[erpol · Accepted solution]

Post-scriptum:

This problem is new, it appeared with some version of PrE prior to 2023. 

Since I have been shooting with this Sony camera for a number of years until about 2017, and editing M2TS footage without any audio problems with whatever the current PrE version was, I was intrigued and went back to revisit my archives. 

I found out that I can't load properly any of my old prel projects based on M2TS files, whether with PrE 2023 or 2025 (the only ones I keep). When the first clip starts to load, I get the message "Can't load the selected file because it has 0 audio channels, while the element was created with 6 channels". If I ignore all the warnings from there, the program will load the project with generic "blank" clips. 

I'm pretty sure it would work if I reinstalled the PrE version that I used for the initial editing (12 or 14 I think), but I'd rather convert the files to MP4 and re-identify them in the program if it comes to that (I use Handbrake for this). 

So it's a new-ish problem and does have a workaround, in case it happens to someone else.