Sony DVD Author "Studio" Version Question

[Tolwyn]

Ok.
I've used Sony Movie Studio and frame served my "titles" out to TMPGEnc. Used ffmpeg to encode my audio into AC3.
The two titles take up about 94% of the DVD (I used the handy dandy bitcalculator to ensure this).

So I have completely compliant MPEG2 video and AC3 audio.

Using Sony, I have some concerns that it may be attempting to re-encode my nice MPEG2 files... Would it do this? I've not instructed it to... I just want to use this application to generate the necessary files that I will then use Nero to burn to DVD.

Any warnings I should note before using this application as my main authoring tool? I certainly don't want it messing with my MPEG2 files... and I'm not sure how it's dealing with slideshows... I imported an MP3 to use as background audio... Is this blasted program (re)encoding the audio to AC3, MP2, or (gasp) PCM? I don't mind AC3 or MP2 even, but if the darn thing is using PCM, I don't want to use the application.

The "manual" and help file don't address these questions. I hope maybe someone here can.

[BJ_M]

it uses ac3

[Tolwyn]

Ok.
I did find some other information... but my audio is AC3 muxed into the MPEG file. Upon coaxing it to generate the TS* folders for Nero, it indicated that it was going to re-encode the audio (it did say my video was fine, though).

Why would it try to do that?

[disturbed1]

Movie Studio doesn't support AC3 audio.

Sony will let you purchace the full version of DVD Architect for AC3 support

[Tolwyn]

I don't want it to "support" the AC3 audio, I just don't want it to mess with my muxed MPEG2 file AT ALL.

It should do that, right?
Why would the damn thing not support the DVD standard????

[thecoalman]

Why would the damn thing not support the DVD standard????

So you buy the more expensive software to make it easier. See if there's a "do not convert compliant files" type option.

[disturbed1]

Not supporting AC3, means it will not even pass through an already encoded AC3 stream.

I was thinking about purchasing MovieStudio a few months back, and contacted Sony Support about this issue. The responce was that they do not support AC3 encoding, or pass through, but if AC3 is imported it will be re-encoded to PCM.

I asked, if it doesn't support AC3, how can it decode AC3 to PCM. Never got a responce, never purchased the program.

BTW, the dvd standard includes PCM, so they do support the standard.

[Tolwyn]

Ok. So it's a Sony "Screw You" application. Got it. I guess I'm forced to use MP2.

I'm satisfied with VMS. Just not their crappy DVD Authoring thing now.

And since it doesn't acknowledge that an MPEG stream even contains audio if it's been encoded with AC3, I can't even get the application to re-encode to PCM.

It's a useless application to me.

[disturbed1]

When I demo'd Movie Studio, I did use it to edit/encode my project, but then used one of the many GUIs for DVDAuthor to handle the authoring chores.

For the price of Movie Studio, it's a well rounded entry level editing app, just a shame they include a hindered authoring app.

Reminds me of Dazzle's DVD Complete. Excellant authoring app, but nearly useless for not supporting AC3 audio.

[Tolwyn]

I'm giving up on Sony's DVD Authoring Programs.
If you don't encode the MPEG stream using Sony's encoder, it will try to recompress.

What a joke.

[canadateck]

You should get a real Sony Authoring Program like DVD Architect , These others are just cut down versions,You get what you pay for...Sony Rocks

[Tolwyn]

If I get what I pay for, I paid much less for TMPGEnc and it handles it just fine.

To not incorporate a pass through option, that is a blatant intentional cripple of the product. Which, in turn, sorry to say, makes Sony SUCK, not Rock.

[thecoalman]

To not incorporate a pass through option, that is a blatant intentional cripple of the product..

They all do it, the more you pay the more options you get. Get DVD Workshop and you can do anything you want..... Do you have cable? DL the trial version of Ulead Video Studio and see if it works. There's a "do no t convert compliant file" option and I'm curious myself. I'd try it myself but have no need.

[Tolwyn]

What other strictly authoring applications are available?

[canadateck]

I was just looking at the sony site and it said nothing about AC3.This is a 99$ program,I may add can do many things TMPGEnc cant. Like i said you get what you pay for , if you want everythig buy DVD Architect along with Vegas and youll see a big difference..Sony Rocks....

[Tolwyn]

I'm happy with VMS. Don't misunderstand me. I'm just damn frustrated that I HAVE all the applications I need, and none of the bastards work together. It's stupid.

[canadateck]

I agree it is stupid,Even ulead without AC3 support will take it and not re-encode it, I quess sony felt the need to offer somthing for eveyone , But being you know what you want then I would say spend more get more. TMPGEnc is very limited in what it can do. On the other hand DVD Architect can do almost anythihng you tell it to.

[thecoalman]

Or get DVD workshop and you can do everthing Arcitect can and can't do....

BTW, I'm pretty sure I saw someone post a lnk for a ac3 plug-in for Video Studio.

[canadateck]

Yes you are right Workshop is good, more easy to handle then DVD Architect, I use it all the time.

Adobe After Effects, Ulead DVD Workshop,Vegas 5.0 + Architect is all that I use,It also helps to get a teachers discount

[BJ_M]

sorry - i thought it used ac3 .... i see that it doesnt ..


still for a $100 ...

http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/Products/showproduct.asp?PID=856&FeatureID=7231