Double Layer / custom menus / subtitle combined question

[k1darkknight]

Okay, I've seen questions relating to all these issues, but I have yet to see a solution for my needs, without trying to read through 14+ page posts, or trying to figure out JUST the right combination of terms for a search, that gives me anything close to the right results. So if I'm re-re-reposting on existing issues, I'm sorry.

That said, I own a few seasons' worth of Anime DVDs, and I've already managed to get them ripped to my HD as ISO files. What I'm wanting to do, is to put these episodes on Double Layer discs, possibly compressed a bit (as animation tends to maintain decent quality at lower bitrates, simply because...it's animation), to fit up to 12 episodes per disc. There are 4 or 5 per disc as it stands, but I REALLY hate having to swap discs, just as I'm getting into a given storyline. I've already got all the quality issues figured out, and I think they'll still look good enough at the quality necessary to fit this much on a DL disc. I want to retain the subtitles, without having to demux/remux anything, and also create a fairly simple set of menus, for chapter select and language/subtitle selection, though I'm not so concerned about the latter, and would like to use text (episode titles) for the chapter select menu, so I don't end up with several screens for thumbnails. For that matter, I could even deal with having the chapter select as my only menu, not bothering with a main menu or setup menu.

So far, I've used ISO files with Nero ImageDrive (virtual CD/DVD drive softward), to make other software see them as though they were the original DVDs. I then used Nero Recode to shrink the episodes enough to fit onto a DVD9-DL disc. As a result, I currently have a VIDEO_TS folder, containing the following:

VIDEO_TS.BUP ... VIDEO_TS.IFO
VTS_01_0.BUP -through- VTS_12_0.BUP
VTS_01_0.IFO -through- VTS_12_0.IFO
VTS_01_1.VOB -through- VTS_12_1.VOB

I have loaded the VIDEO_TS.IFO file into PowerDVD, to confirm that the subtitles and chapter points have been preserved in these files. Some of my experimentation has resulted in files with subtitles that would show up in Nero Showtime, but not in PowerDVD, so I took this as a good sign.
Now, I want to be able to take this folder, add the aforementioned relatively simple menus (no 'moving menus' or anything, just a basic jpg or bmp background, or somesuch), and burn the whole project to a DVD9 disc.

I have (the trial version of) DVD-lab PRO, CopyToDVD, and DVD Menu Studio, as well as Nero 7 (Ultra?), DVD Decrypter, SubRip, and an old version of Ulead VideoStudio. I may have a couple other tools as well, and can download most anything recommended. The MOST important thing is being able to retain subtitles, and getting the project to burn RELIABLY onto a DL disc. I've read about LOTS of people having difficulty with DL burning, and I don't want to make any coasters.
I would like to do this all with one program, though if it's possible to make the menus in one program, then import them into another, or just write the files or whatever, then pull the whole folder into a burning program, that'd be fine too. I REALLY do NOT want to have to demux anything, or try to put files back together, ala subtitle importing in DVD-lab. If anyone can tell me something that HAS WORKED for them, and works most of the time, I would be most grateful. Otherwise, if someone already has found such a solution, I'd appreciate a link to the thread, along with a mention of which page and post to look for.
Sorry for being so (virtually) long-winded. I just want to get this right.


Thanx in advance,
Chris, aka k1darkknight

(edit: I forgot, I also want to retain the chapter splits, which DVD-lab PRO seems to require you to import a separate file for...?)

[Krispy Kritter]

Have you looked through the guides on how to merge 2 dvd5 discs to a single dvd9 disc? There should be enough information there to point you in the right direction.