DVD Authoring -- use AVI or MPEG as source?

[LetsRip]

As I've been getting into the authoring scene creating personal DVDs, I'm a little confused about where in the sequence of events the authoring of a capture should be performed. Is it best to do the authoring to an AVI and then convert to MPEG, or author once the MPEG conversion is complete?

In my case, I am 'capturing' or transferring DV-AVI from my D8, and using CCE Basic for the MPEG-2 conversion, then burn to DVD.

I'll appreciate Pros and Cons regarding the sequence of the authoring step, thanks.

[dcsos]

Please use MPEG-2 files tailored to be compliant with the AUTHORING application you are using. Do not allow the AUTHORING application to transcode the files from AVI to MPEG-2 for you unless you are familiar with this less "quality" of transcodeing that the authoring application offers.

If you need to edit your footge , especially befond the usual cutting and joining of HARD CUT FOOTAGE ie dissolves or titles
PLEASE capture to some kind of .AVI if windows or .MOV if MAC
This way, no re rendering of already compressed sequences are needed..
or to put it another way, CAPTURE TO MPEG-2 directly only if you're grabbing already edited pieses with defined in and out points!
Hope this helps

[LetsRip]

Thanks for the feedback, dcsos -- I think I follow . If I am understanding correctly, the steps of my process for creating a DVD would be as follows:

1- Transfer/capture DV from D8 camcorder to AVI-1 file
I'm using either DVIO or Ulead MS for this step, via iLink connection

2- Convert/demux the AVI file to elementary MPEG-2 video
I use CCE Basic for this step. Depending on the content, I use CCE to convert audio file to MPEG directly (quality not critical) or WAV format (quality is important -- see step #3)

3- (optional) WAV audio file to MPEG-2 using separate process
I use tooLAME for this step, for best quality

4- Author/edit the MPEG video by essentially adding chapter points & menus
I plan to use DVD-lab for this step, which does not resample/convert the video or audio content.

5- Burn video & audio to DVD-R
Again, I plan to use DVD-lab for this step -- I haven't had a chance to play with this, as I'm still waiting on a Sony DRU-500AX on backorder .

Further feedback on these steps is appreciated, thanks!

[bugster]

No, No, No, you misunderstand what dcsos is telling you. Also your use of terminology is wrong. The sequence should be like this:

1) Capture - tranbsfer your DV footage from the camera to the PC via firewire (iLink). Store on PC as avi file.

2) Edit - use a specialist editing program such as Premiere. Cut out unwanted bits and add transitions, titles etc here. When done save as DV AVI.

3) Encode. This is where you use your CCE basic. Encode to DVD complaint mpeg-2.
Option here to keep the audio and video together or de-multiplex if desired/required.

4) Author. Use a DVD authoring package such as Ulead DVD WS, Spruce, Maestro etc To add menus and chapters to your DVD.

5) Burn. You can probably do this directly from your your DVD authoring app. Or your Authoring app can produce a titel set (VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders) or a disc image. Then burn with a specialist burning app like Nero or Prassi.

Be careful in your use of terminology. The commonly accepted use of 'AUTHORING' with regrds to (S)VCD or DVD is as explained in poitn 4 above. Editing is as explained in point 2.


Hope this clears things up a bit.

[LetsRip]

Thanks for the clarification, bugster -- I wish the steps needed for my processes were as clearly outlined in one of the tutorials!

With the numerous conversion, software, and medium options available (let alone terminology), my main issue has been trying to solidify the correct processes in the proper sequence. Its a challenging and critical task, so thanks again for your input.

[donpedro]

Yep...! bugsters stepa are good.....

LetsRip, don't confuse term "edit". By editing I (we) mean, cutting scenes, adding titles, adding or changing sound (backround music), placing some transitions between clips, slow motion, changing color..... do all this in your AVI format. Never convert to mpeg2 and edit that...

[ktnwin]

LetsRip,
the steps you described seem to be for the very advanced folks (I can do it but at this time, I chose not to). I am using a very simple procedure:
1) capture to AVI (same as yours)
2) define chapter points, create menus
3) author the DVD and burn it
There are many software that can perform these 3 steps in one software. I use: PS8, and neoDVD.
The drawbacks of the simplistic method are:
1) menu structure are fixed (as offered by the software),
2) you may not be able to use variable bit rate (because the software do not support VBR encoding)
The procedure you use will yield the optimum DVD (best quality).

[racer-x]

bugster is right! To get the best quality, there is only one way. Video editing is hard and long work. But a lot of fun, when it comes out great. Nothing is worse than spending long hours on video when it looks like crap.