Joining multiple XVID files, then converting to DVD

[apsd]

Hi all,

Please bear with me as I'm sure this has been covered in other scattered posts, but there is a large amount of software out there to do this kind of task, and I am rather clueless at the moment.

What would be the most popular/best first setup for joining multiple XVID files and then converting them to DVD to be burned?

I have taken a look at some of the how-to's, but I see many programs being able to do the same task, and do not know which one I should go with.

Thanks,
~apsd

[redwudz]

Usually the best way is not to join them but to encode them separately then put them into your authoring program. They would then play seamlessly without joining. Avoids a lot of sync problems.

[apsd]

Ok....

but what software do I use to encode them?
and what software do I later use to link them together like you mentioned (i know what you mean, and this makes more sense)...

Thanks,
~apsd

[m2x]

Use VSO's DivX To DVD. It joins multiple videos and outputs straight to vobs.

[Baldrick]

all-in-one:
divxtodvd
nerovision express
thefilmmachine

or encode and author separate
tmpgenc
mainconcept mpeg encoder
and author with
tmpgenc dvd author

[apsd]

Thanks guys

trying it all out now

[thegeeman]

I agree with redwudz-encode them separately and then join together. If you adamant on joining first then i would use Virtualdud (append segment). Watch for potential audio sync problems though.

Go to 'Tools' section and you will find mpeg encoders. Personally i use TMPGenc Plus to encode (there is a freeware version-TMPGenc-but not Plus) and then TMPGenc DVD Author (TDA) to join together and then create a DVD compliant file-it also acts as a burner. Incredibly easy program to use and ideal for the newbie.

[lacywest]

Using Virtualdub to join Divx/Xvid videos was my choice but quite a few videos are now being encoded with variable audio bitrates. Virtualdub doesn't like those type of videos.

I use to use Cyberlink PowerProducer 3 but it isn't a very smart program. Only works for videos in Full screen formats. If the video uses a wide screen resolution ... it will produce people with melon shaped heads. The features I like are ... fit on a DVD-5 and AC-3 audio.

So what do I use most of the time ... NeroVision Express 3 ... bitrate is adjustable and does a good job with videos that are wide-screen and AC-3 audio is available. I usually set the video bit-rate for 5500 kb or higher. If the DVD is too big ... I use DVD Shrink 3.2 or DVD-RB.

And the menus are decent too ... I can choose what to have playing in the back ground ... while the thumbnails are displaying a segment of the movie.

But I recently did one project where the Xvid movie played okay but it had a hic-cup somewhere ... after NeroVisionExpress processed it ... the little glitch caused the audio and the video to get out of sync.

[apsd]

I've been trying to use this guide here: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=186739&highlight=ac3+xvid

(meets my exact criteria)

However, at the step where you browse for your movie to be converted in TMPGEnc (i'm using the free versoin), after I select my file, it full-on crashes.

"An unhandled win32 exception occurred in TMPGEnc.exe [3796]."

Is there any obvious reason for this?

I'm going to try to reinstall/update the xvid codec...

[apsd]

The codec update didn't help....

[apsd]

Also, I just wanted to ask, what's a good acceptable video bitrate? I'm trying to use as few DVDs as possible but I still want to retain quality... (i'm using this calculator: https://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm )

[ZippyP.]

what's a good acceptable video bitrate?

Depends on the resolution:
1/4 DVD - 1500 Kbps
1/2 DVD - 3000
Full DVD - 6000

Those are good starters, adjust as you see fit.

[apsd]

Thanks ZippyP...

I continued to use the Xvid+AC3 -> DVD guide at: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=186739&highlight=ac3+xvid

but switched to the mainconcept mpeg encoder... I am currently having the problem of unaligned audio ...

I have separate ac3 and mpg encoded files that are later combined in tmpgenc author...

I extracted the ac3 through virtualdubmod and fixed it with ac3fix.

In main concept, I am using these settings to encode:

MPEG Type: DVD
Video Mode: NTSC
Stream Type: Elementary Video
Frame rate: 23.976 (like the original xvid avi video)
Field encoding: Progressive Frame
Deinterlacing: None
Search Method: 11
Search Range: 15
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Display (3:2 pulldown is selected by default)
Auto GOP: Fast
CBR for now: 5460kbps

Resolution: 720x480 - automatically fitted by mainconcept (my original video resolution is smaller)

Anything I am doing wrong or should change? Any other way to align the audio?

[ZippyP.]

Does it gradually get worse and worse? That suggests that the video and audio durations don't match.

Does it start in sync and then go out all of a sudden? That would suggest some bad or corrupted frames.

Is it out from the beginning and stays the same all the way through? That would suggest a "skew" or misalignment from the start.

You may have to convert the audio to wav to make the adjustments. Virtualdub can delete bad frames and adjust the audio skew. Goldwave can stretch the audio duration.