'Fake' Audio DVD - can ANYONE help??

[frogger]

I need help!! I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how to do what I'm trying to accomplish.

I'm trying to make a "fake" Audio DVD. Sonic Foundry DVD Architect has a 'Audio DVd' mode where you can import audio files and add an image to them, but you can't add menus. I want to be able to add menus to it so I've been trying to make my own files. I've tried compiling the files from DVD Architect and then extracting the MPEG files from the compiled VOB files, but that doesn't work. I've tried converting a BMP to MPEG with TMPEG Encoder and them Multiplexing it with my AC3 files. That doesn't work. My computer won't read any of the files. I know I can take my image file an stretch it in Vegas and render it, but that will make my file size too large and I want to be able to fit as much audio on the DVD as possible. I've even tried redering a 1.5 second clip of the image from Vegas and then mulitplexing that - and it doesn't work!

Does anyone know how I can Multiplex together a BMP or JPG file with an AC3, or convert the image file to an MPEG format that my computer understands and Mux that with my AC3s?? This has become very frustrating. ANY help would be appreciated!!

[coyote]

I don't know if this will help you but I found a tool that creates audio dvd's. They have 2 different versions (it looks like one has many more options including dvd-video compatability). I just added it to the tools section so it will probably take a day or so to appear..... The web site is http://www.discwelder.com

[frogger]

Thanks a lot - I will check it out and let you know how it goes.

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looks like a great program, but a little pricey - anyone know a cheaper way??

[hififan]

Hello

If you also use Vegas 4.0, there is an option/feature to save your mpeg file as a DVD Architect Video Stream. This will add the dummy soundtrack that Architect looks for.

If you are not using an *.mpg file but something like a *.mp2, *m2v, etc.--then you can transcode the file with tmpg enc, This can be found in the tools section and I believe that there is a freeware version that will transcode between mpeg2 formats.

In either case, using Vegas 4.0 or tmpg enc to transcode, you will be re-encoding the mpeg file resulting in a slight loss in quality.

I abandoned DVD Architect and I am trying a 30 day trial version of tmpg enc dvd author, so far this software has detected my mpeg2 file and does not require transcoding/re-encoding.

DVD Architect offers many great features with many restrictions on the mpeg2 file.

Regards

John