Best way to author a dvd of shows with commercials

[PharmBoy]

While I am not an expert by any means, I have done some fulfilling things through authoring projects. I had always used the simple yet trustworthy DVD Architect (version 1.0 none the less). However in seeing the many experts on this forum that use TMPGEnc DVD Author. And then I found a feature that makes alot of sence.
The skip to bookmark section.

Which brings me to my question.
I Tivo shows off the internet, transfer it to my computer strip out the commercials using mpeg-vcr and then of course author it.
Would I be better off using the skip to next bookmark and leave the commercials in.

Pros that I see of doing it this new way --> Fewer audio sync problems
Cons that I see of doing it this new way --> Less space to record on the DVD

I would like to know your suggestions. Because if I am going to do it, I want to do it right. I don't mind spending extra time doing it the right way.
If I am missing something please feel free to banish me to the newbie section.

[rkr1958]

As I'm replying to this very message I'm in the process of reauthoring, with the commericals removed, the latest two episodes of American Idol recorded with my TIVO. My TIVO unit has a DVD-RW writer. This is what I do.

(1) Record my show with TIVO, (2) Write to DVD-RW, (3) Rip with DVD-Decryptor to my harddirve (I could actually do a straight copy but I chose to rip). (4) Using TMPGEnc DVDAuthor I then import the DVD-Video. (5) Under "edit clip" I then just cut out the commericals (6) Add menus (7) (Re)Author (8) Burn

I now have a commerical free DVD of my favoriate shows.

Bottom line, if you're going to use TMPGEnc DVDAuthor then I'd go ahead and cut out the commericals instead of skip to bookmark.

[steve2713]

I've got a related issue - With heavy amounts of cutting using both TMPGEnc DVDAuthor and MPEG-VCR, the audio eventually loses it's sync, worsening more and more after a large number of cuts. I'm talking 40+ cuts in a 45 minute clip. With mild cutting such as commercials, maybe 5-6 in an hour, I don't seem to have sync issues. But with heavy amounts of cutting I have problems with both of these programs. Not to mention the pathetic 're-encoding' of the few frames surrounding cuts with MPEG-VCR, the 're-encoded' frames often look like lego blocks, it's grotesquely bad at times and makes it essentially useless to me, too bad it doesn't allow cutting at I frames only as TMPGEnc DVDAuthor does. I'm editing straight from a DVD rip, btw.

Does anyone have any advice to remedy my audio sync problems? Any other alternatives to try without making the process too tedious? I'd prefer to not have to convert the DVD rips if at all possible.

Hopefully my question is closely enough related that I'm not detracting from your original questions PharmBoy.

[rkr1958]

I've got a related issue - With heavy amounts of cutting using both TMPGEnc DVDAuthor and MPEG-VCR, the audio eventually loses it's sync, worsening more and more after a large number of cuts. I'm talking 40+ cuts in a 45 minute clip. With mild cutting such as commercials, maybe 5-6 in an hour, I don't seem to have sync issues. But with heavy amounts of cutting I have problems with both of these programs. Not to mention the pathetic 're-encoding' of the few frames surrounding cuts with MPEG-VCR, the 're-encoded' frames often look like lego blocks, it's grotesquely bad at times and makes it essentially useless to me, too bad it doesn't allow cutting at I frames only as TMPGEnc DVDAuthor does. I'm editing straight from a DVD rip, btw.

Does anyone have any advice to remedy my audio sync problems? Any other alternatives to try without making the process too tedious? I'd prefer to not have to convert the DVD rips if at all possible.

Hopefully my question is closely enough related that I'm not detracting from your original questions PharmBoy.

One possible workaround using TMPGEnc DVDAuthor. What if you imported the uncut DVD Video multiple times into the same track (for example, 4-times). Do the necessary cuts on the 1st import to get the 1st quater of your show, the 2nd import to get the 2nd quarter, and so on. In effect you'd be limiting the number of cuts to around 10 per segment.

Also to prevent a momentary pause between different clips on the same track check out https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=258137&highlight=

[steve2713]

That's a good idea rkr, it's worth a shot anyway. My audio will probably still eventually go out of sync , but it will likely be far less severe since it will, in effect, be 'resyncing' at the start of each new split.

[masterpug]

audio gets out of sync ONLY because you're using a womble product
to edit the video AND the source is a capture.

no need to use womble if you have tmpgenc dvd author as you can
cut out the commercials withing that app and it WILL NOT get audio
out of sync. trust me...been down this road with tv captures...it's
a womble thing. womble products are fabulous (video wizard well worth
the upgrade from mpg-vcr) for all sources EXCEPT the long captures as they get out of synce further you play.

mike

[starwarrior29]

With my Panasonic HDD/DVD recorder I just edit out the commercials while the show is still on the hard drive, then record that to a dvd-ram disc, transfer to computer, author with tmpgenc dvd author and burn the final project to a dvdr disc and have no audio sync problems at all.

[hudsonf]

steve2713; have you tried VideoReDo to cut your commercials? I like it better than MPEG-VCR and it's supposed to fix the audio sync. I think they still have a trial version.

[victoriabears]

I have use Tmpg mpeg editor for cutting out chunks such as commercials, also re-inventing(If thats the right word) proper episodic openings for a project where some clever clogs had tried to make one 3 hour continious show of a 3 epsidoe drama.

Tmpg editor has many settings and it does a great job for the money.

[pcostanza]

I use Videoredo and have had good luck with it. No sync issues. I haven't tried many other programs unless they offer a trial but VideoRedo is my choice.

[masterpug]

yes, videoredo will always keep sync, even with capture files. it is
the answer to womble products when they have sync issues. all around
great editor and best support you've ever seen!