AVI to DVD

[Klatten]

Hi there!

I have the following files, which I would like to convert to a DVD containing subtibles and a menu.

File 1: movie.avi
(codec: Xvid)
(audio: Mpeg 3)

File 2: subs.srt

What is the absolute easiest way to make this conversion to DVD? What guide should I follow?

EDIT:
I know this site offers links to many guides, but I would like YOUR opinion on which guide works the best for you!!! Which guide can you recommend!

[Hardcoreruss]

Many guides, many possibilities. I suggest using the forum search button as your question has been asked many times before.

You could also start with the convert tab on the left hand bar.

[Baldrick]

All-in-one solutions
diko
thefilmmachine
dvd2svcd
avi2dvd
All supports subs but no menus by default. I think you can add a menu in diko.

The best method:
convert with tmpgenc plus or mainconcept mpeg encoder
author with dvdauthorgui or dvd-lab pro or gui for dvd author, they support srt subs.

[Klatten]

@Baldrick

What makes "the best method" better than the "all-in-one method"?

[mats.hogberg]

No allinones gives you complete control over every setting available in the doonethinganddoitwell kind of applications. I use to compare allinones with swiss army knives - good to have when you for some reason don't have the real thing at hand, but for every tool in a Swiss Army knife, there's a dedicated tool much better. There is a reason why not every car mechanic and carpenter is equipped with just a Swiss Army Knife.
To answer your original question: My way is a mix and condensation of all guides I've read and tried. I suggest you do the same! Read and try, read and try, read and try. Somewhere along the line, you start taking bits and pieces from different guides, add a few tricks from your own experience, and suddenly you've written a guide of your own!
To give you some specifics, you have to give more details than codecs - how long is the video? What resolution? Is it 100% error free? VBR audio?

/Mats

[Klatten]

Thank you for the colourful resemblence with the Swiss knife! That answered the question to the fullest!

Yes, the file is error free and yes VBR audio!

This is from AVIcodec
Video: 609 MB, 832 Kbps, 25.0 fps, 640*272 (2.21:1), XVID = XVID Mpeg-4, Supported
Audio : 91 MB, 124 Kbps, 48000 Hz, 2 channels, 0x55 = MPEG Layer-3, Supported

For now I'll try using TMPGEnc plus, VirtualDub and DVD-lab

I was just looking for the easiest way out, as I don't have the patience to wait hours and hours for the result! (conversion takes a long time with my system)

[mats.hogberg]

OK! My modus operandi (given your software arsenal) would be:
Make sure you've got the latest XviD codec.
Extract mp3 with VirtualDub, decode to wav (CDEx), Encode wav to AC3 (ffmpeggui)
Encode AVI video to m2v with TMPGEnc. (First using
the bitrate calculator to find the right bitrate, and lowering it 5-10% for menus and safety margin)
Author with DVD-Lab.

/Mats

[xycer]

hi mats, few questions about your steps for AC3 sound.

1) can you create AC3 sound with ffmpegGUI or does the source have to have AC3?

2) do you have to decode to wav with CDEx or can you convert the output from vdub to ac3 with ffmpegGUI?

[reboot]

Ffmpeggui will take the original avi, your extracted .wav, or raw mp3 and make a 48khz (dvd spec) AC3 DD2.0 audio from it.
You can rip the audio from the file in vdub, if you use full processing mode, and click YES if it prompts you to rewrite the header. You don't have to use CDEX.
I would just open the avi in ffmpeggui and transcode to AC3, 224kbps, 48khz. The AC3 it makes is ready to import into dvdlab.

[xycer]

i heard its best to click no when it asks to rewrite the header or are you supposed to select yes in this case?

also, vdub extracts the audio in a larger file than vdubmod, can you just use the extracted audio from vdubmod?

[reboot]

Whenever you extract in vdub or mod, always use full processing.
Use ffmpeggui and don't bother with vdub/mod, goldwave, cdex, or any of that stuff.

[xycer]

ya thats the thing, vdub does full processing mode but AFAIK, vdubmod cant do full processing audio, only video. I guess ill use vdub for that then.

Thanks.

[mats.hogberg]

Whenever you extract in vdub or mod, always use full processing.
Use ffmpeggui and don't bother with vdub/mod, goldwave, cdex, or any of that stuff.

My advice is the complete opposite. Just use VDub to extract audio direct stream. Then handle all audio related issues with dedicated audio apps. In my book, only use VirtualDub to direct stream copy out audio. I don't trust an application that complains about VBR audio to do conversions on the same audio it says it can't handle...

/Mats

[Abond]

ya thats the thing, vdub does full processing mode but AFAIK, vdubmod cant do full processing audio, only video. I guess ill use vdub for that then.

Thanks.

Of corse VirtualDubMod can do full processing audio.

[reboot]

In vdubmod, select Streams, stream list, then RIGHT click the stream, select full processing...
I've done both ways, including vdub's complaint about vbr, and once extracted, I have had no trouble with sync after transcoding in ffmpeggui.
It's just quicker to have ffmpeggui extract and transcode (in most cases).
If it doesn't sync, then I use the vdub method.

[xycer]

thanks, i didnt know vdubmod could do full processing audio.

so what about rewriting the header? should i click yes or no?

[reboot]

I always click YES, with no repercussions. It's the way most tutorials say to do it...

[xycer]

ok thanks.