joining clips

[dvdpete]

I have 2 clips - one of the promo video and an MPG still created in EasyVCD.

I used Ulead DVD Maker and added the clips and the movie previewed ok. but the mpg still didn't show on the preview.

How can I add an mpg still for @20secs at the end of the movie - (unencoded / protected)

Thanks
Pete

[racer-x]

You need to make an MPEG video out of that still image. Bring that still image into your video editor (make sure it is 720 x 540 for NTSC), strech it on the timeline to make it 20 sec. Then output timeline to a DVD-spec MPEG-2. Then bring that clip into your DVD authoring app.

I don't use DVD Maker, but it should work fine.

You may have to read the manual to find out how to make the 1st clip link to the 2nd clip.

[FOO]

I would suggest 720 x 480 instead

[racer-x]

FOO wrote:

I would suggest 720 x 480 instead

No disrespect FOO, but I feel I need to correct you here. If the image is 720x480 and he outputs to NTSC DVD, then the TV will resize to 640x480 (4:3 ratio). This will result in the video being distorted and elongated virticaly.

Now he can make the image 720x540 (4:3 ratio), then the video editor will resize to 720x480, then the TV will resize to 640x480 (4:3 ratio) and the image will be correctly displayed. Ofcourse he could also make the image as 720x540, then resize it to 720x480 (without maintaining aspect ratio). This will distort it horizontally, but the TV will bring it back to 4:3 ratio (640x480).

I just didn't want to confuse the guy.

I use Premiere and they actually recomend 720x534. Here is a good resource on images and video:
http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/pdfs/ps_to_pre.pdf

[FOO]

What I mean is 720 x 540 is not a legal DVD resolution.

[dvdpete]

It is actually a PAL DVD.

I have tried using VCDEasy to create an MPEG still and it recommends 768x576 for the finished picture.

When I view the MPG still, it looks fine in.

When I create the VOB though in ULEAD Moviemaker the clip is less than 0.1sec in duration.

I am using the 'Add Slideshow' feature and specify the duration of each clip as being 20 secs (only the one slide) - but the finished result isn't 20sec, it's only 0.1sec.

What can be happening?

I need the still as a movie so that I can add the 20sec movie at the end of an existing promo vid with my UK contact details.

Am I using the wrong tools for the job? Is Premiere easy enough to use for a relative beginner (although understand the technicalities) or should I be using something else. I want to avoid quality loss wherever possible.

Thanks guys.

Pete

[racer-x]

Since you already have the MPEG clips, Download DVD-Lab. They have a full functioning 30 day trial version. I use and love DVD-Lab. You can import the two clips, then set the movie as 1st movie in menu. You can have the Movie link to the image MPEG or what ever you want.

DVD-Lab is very powerfull and very flexible.

[dvdpete]

Great Program!!

I can see the benefits and very easy to use.. BUT

When I try and trim the end of the movie (following the on screen help) I get "Error- can not create file"

What am I doing wrong?

I imported the video from the DVD VOB and trimmed on screen and select trim end - that's it.

Thanks
Pete