DVD AUTHORING: Where to start, what to use?

[mceyedol]

Hiya Guys,

I need help please. I am using Windows 98 it's a Pentium III not sure on the speed (but it use to be 777 and is now 1.4 i think), 120GB Hard drive. My DVD Writer is a Pinoeer A04.

I don't know where to start about putting a DVD together all the infomation is overwhelming... I have made 2 successful DVD's using Pinnacle Expression and Sonic My DVD and have been please with the results.

BUt I'd like to make something a little more slick looking. Instead of the main menu page have 8 thumbnails crowding it, I'd like selections such as Play All, Chapters, Extras....

If possible I'd like to have the option of either have a text selection or thumbnail of the video or graphic to select each chapter.

In the Extras section I'd like to add DVD Audio tracks, like on DVD Singles that are about at the moment... e.g. I have some audio interviews I'd like to play with say a static background.

I was excited about using Adobe Encore, but it only works for Windows XP. Anyone got any ideas of any software that will be simple enough for me to use and create the results I would like?

Thankyou in advance.

Michael

[holistic]

DVDLab ...... nuff said.
http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/index.html

I'd like to make something a little more slick looking

Takes patience ,but it can be done.

Some may recommend the more expensive tools but this program is great value.

][

[mceyedol]

Thankyou I have just downloaded it... and first problem. I wish to burn some m2v's and I have now got the message:

"This is a system file where Video and Audio is multiplexed together."

What do I do for the best results? demultiplex it or use it directly?

Thanks

[Baldrick]

http://www.mediachance.com/dvdlab/Help/index.htm

and click on Assets and it will describe the demultiplex part.

[yuffy]

Tell you what the best article i found here concerning making a DVD is this.
Substitute CCE for TMPGenc for a cost effective solution.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/userguides/179038.php

Try this guide for TMPGenc.
http://dvd-hq.info/Compression.html
Those two guides sorted it for me.
One other for Besweet.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/userguides/129419.php
Save them to favourites, follow the guides.
Thank god for DVDRHELP.

[mceyedol]

I am at the END of my tether NOW!!!! I have a collection of mpgs and m2v's, that I have now converted them all to PAL format for my DVD Player....

First I tried Sonic MyDVD and when it came to the last portion of burning some error flashed up. I then moved onto Dvd-Lab and was incredibly proad of all the menus and text I designed... again problems when coming to burn... first I do complile like it asks...

At first fine... building menus and the audio but then towards the end the messages cannot open media/vid popped up on the error log and when I go to simulate it running, says there is no video footage... GRRR!!! Can someone help? I am trying to put together a DVD of my relatives wedding, I have the clips in both vcd(mpg) and svcd(m2v) formats... I've worked for days on the design and now nothing!!!

This is silly you pay £200 to burn DVD's and nothing works unless you're a complete genuis! HELP please

My deadline was Monday and now I have to dissappoint people

Hope to find help soon.

Thanks in advance.
Michael

[overloaded_ide]

My deadline was Monday and now I have to dissappoint people

Best advice I can give to help you on this is, if you don't know what you are doing then don't give a deadline to have it done for anyone!!

First you need all the hardware to do the job, computer, burner ect... and you need to know how to use those. You need your files in a DVD compliant format. Mpeg2 is good
Then open those with Tmpgenc DVD author (or other program) and create your DVD. Problem is you said you have Windows 98. I think tempgenc dvd author will create your dvd fine to the hard drive, but won't burn the disks if not at least W2K.

Can someone help? I am trying to put together a DVD of my relatives wedding, I have the clips in both vcd(mpg) and svcd(m2v) formats... I've worked for days on the design and now nothing!!!

This is silly you pay £200 to burn DVD's and nothing works unless you're a complete genuis!

Not silly at all, your not working with DVD video files! You can burn raw data disks if you want, back up your hard drive and all kinds of things with a DVD burner, other than just makeing DVD movies

If you can have the movies captured over from the master tapes my suggestion would be too make mpeg2 files and author those. Vcd ain't that great, and it won't get better just by using the same files on a DVD disk.
As for using what you have, you might need to look at the converting section to the left for guides how to get the correct files you need.

Basically the way I do tapes is capture at 352x480, 4,000bps, 48,000 stereo audio, mpeg2 for my files. Then I just open the Mpeg2 files and make the DVD files and burn! Sometimes I try other ways too. I use other BPS settings depending on source/time etc..

Last night I captured about 6 hours VHS home movies and made 4 disks for a friend. They were tested today, all work great, and I am now re-authoring a second set for her friend. She doesn't need everything, just about 2/3s of it, so I have lots of cutting to do.

Not rocket science, just takes a little learning!

[FoolishBrett]

I'm pretty far from a PRO but when it comes to figuring this stuff out, all I can say is patience. Start with something, get as many guides as you can. Paticipate in the forums and read what others are saying. Try something else. They all build on each other.

It's not really that hard, just more of a discovery process.

[mceyedol]

My deadline was Monday and now I have to dissappoint people

Best advice I can give to help you on this is, if you don't know what you are doing then don't give a deadline to have it done for anyone!!

First you need all the hardware to do the job, computer, burner ect... and you need to know how to use those. You need your files in a DVD compliant format. Mpeg2 is good
Then open those with Tmpgenc DVD author (or other program) and create your DVD. Problem is you said you have Windows 98. I think tempgenc dvd author will create your dvd fine to the hard drive, but won't burn the disks if not at least W2K.

Can someone help? I am trying to put together a DVD of my relatives wedding, I have the clips in both vcd(mpg) and svcd(m2v) formats... I've worked for days on the design and now nothing!!!

This is silly you pay £200 to burn DVD's and nothing works unless you're a complete genuis!

Not silly at all, your not working with DVD video files! You can burn raw data disks if you want, back up your hard drive and all kinds of things with a DVD burner, other than just makeing DVD movies

If you can have the movies captured over from the master tapes my suggestion would be too make mpeg2 files and author those. Vcd ain't that great, and it won't get better just by using the same files on a DVD disk.
As for using what you have, you might need to look at the converting section to the left for guides how to get the correct files you need.

Basically the way I do tapes is capture at 352x480, 4,000bps, 48,000 stereo audio, mpeg2 for my files. Then I just open the Mpeg2 files and make the DVD files and burn! Sometimes I try other ways too. I use other BPS settings depending on source/time etc..

Last night I captured about 6 hours VHS home movies and made 4 disks for a friend. They were tested today, all work great, and I am now re-authoring a second set for her friend. She doesn't need everything, just about 2/3s of it, so I have lots of cutting to do.

Not rocket science, just takes a little learning!

Ok so i've downloaded Tmpgenc DVD Author and am trying to use this... Is there settings to select Pal/NTSC???

And it has a problem with the video files... I get the message: "The video GOP is too long" what does this mean???

Thanks again

[overloaded_ide]

I mentioned first you need DVD compliant files!
What ever you have now, you need to convert to Mpeg2 files that meet DVD standards! There are a ton of "how to" articals and guides in the sections to the left. That is where you need to begin! You need to find out what you have for files that you are starting with, then what you need for files for authoring a DVD, then how to convert from what you have now to what you need! THEN author THAT into a DVD.

I beleave you choose Pal/NTSC durring capturing or converting or encoding, but not durring authoring itself.

I'll be gone most this week setting up a new shop and building a new system for it. So I won't be around to help answer questions much myself.

I suggest you look in the guides and try to find out how to convert the files you have now into mpeg2 DVD compliant files. I haven't been doing VCD to DVD conversions myself and right now don't have time to look up the answers. But that's what you need to do before you can author and burn a DVD.
Unless there is some program I don't know about that will do it for you in a click or two?? I don't think there is, but then I don't do that so I never really looked for one.

Oh, VCD is mpeg1 files, DVD is mpeg2 files, different formats.
I never messed with M2V files, but I think those are sort of mpeg2 but most likely not DVD compliant as they are and will need converted/encoded.