encoding and dvd authering help plz

[lucid_dreams]

1 OK i use dvd lab pro to author my dvd. The dvd lab pro guid tells me to encode my avi. files to mpg. The thing is when i encode the video to mpg it doesnt look as good as the original avi file quality .The software i use to encode the video if TMPGexpress.When encoding should i just encode it to video-cd,supercd or ,dvd just so i get beter quality or do those not really matter?

2 Is it better to take subs out of a video file or is it ok to leave them in there .I encoded an avi file once leaving the subs in the video but the end result was the audio and subs match so no problem there.

3Also was wandering how to author a dvd using dvdlab pro2.5. I mean have it where u can switch btween playing subs and not play in subs . reason is i have alot of mkv fies that have 2 aduio files 1 jap and 1english.I want the subs to to play with the japanease file but want to keep the english audio for other people who watch it. Me myself i like subs and japeneease adio.Is there a way to author it to where i can switch between sub+jap audio and just plain english adudio

4 Also wanted to how to make like a 2 menu disc meaning having like my main menu link to another menu that contained links so that my main menu didnt look so crowded with links . zzzz that sounded confusing lol If u know a ny other programsthat would make this easier please tell ^_^
something like.Or

main menu or root
play movie
Scene selction
subs


2 nd menu
Subs on-off
thumnails
scenes
blah
blah



any of ur help of thoughts always appreciated






bed time zzzzzzzzzzzz

[Baldrick]

I need you to change the topic subject to something that better describes your topic. Just click on the edit-button to change it.

[guns1inger]

1. Garbage in = garbage out. AVI covers a wide range of quality. If you are talking about downloaded Divx/Xvid files then you have to understand that these are usually heavily compressed already, and less than DVD resolution. When you upsize and re-encode, then play them back on a TV, you see all the flaws you didn't notice originally.

2. If the subs are hard-coded into the video then you may as well leave them. If they are soft subs embedded, get them out so you can match them up if necessary. Not all encoders/authoring tools handle internal subs well.

3. There are tutorials with step by step screen shots for authoring multi-audio/multi-sub discs in DLP at the Mediachance site ( www.mediachance.com )

4. Just add more menus and link them with buttons. This is very basic, beginners stuff, and again, it is covered by tutorials at the site.

[redwudz]

The thing is when i encode the video to mpg it doesn't look as good as the original avi file quality.

Then you likely need to use a higher bitrate. What's the running time of the video? You can plug that into a bitrate calculator, along with the size of your DVD and it will tell you the bitrate needed to fill the disc. Extra audio tracks and subtitles will take a small bit of room that you need to take into account.

Bitrate calculators: https://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/bitrate-calculators You can check the bitrate of the DVD VOBs you have already created with Gspot.

You should be able to get two hours of good quality video on a DVD. One hour at best quality.

Someone else should be able to answer the authoring questions.