Advice on encoding problem in Ulead DVD Workshop...?

[ben.franklin]

I've converted three NTSC films using TMPGEnc, which are all to the correct size to fit onto one DVD. When I put them into ULEAD DVD Workshop, with menus etc. I'm finding that Ulead wants to convert them again?

This is really confusing me, and becoming a bit of an irritance. Can anyone offer any advice please?

Thanks in advance guys (and gals).

[korth]

I've converted three NTSC films using TMPGEnc, which are all to the correct size to fit onto one DVD. When I put them into ULEAD DVD Workshop, with menus etc. I'm finding that Ulead wants to convert them again?

This is really confusing me, and becoming a bit of an irritance. Can anyone offer any advice please?

Thanks in advance guys (and gals).

Well if dvd architect and dvd workshop want to convert your files then there must be something wrong with your settings in tmpgenc. Did your read my response to your question in the dvd architect thread?

[ben.franklin]

I'm using the same format for each one I encode, and usually it is just done through the project wizard. Two of the films were NTSC, one was PAL - could this be the problem for this particular DVD I'm trying to make? -

For an NTSC DVD, these are my settings -
29.97fps or 23.976fps
CBR MPEG1 layer II audio (MP2)
352 x 480
Bitrate - Depends on original file quality
Aspect Ratio - 4:3
Full screen (keep aspect ratio)

Is there not a guide to making a DVD with more than one film on? One of my friends was had a DVDR with around 5 films on the other day that he'd bought from someone? How would they manage to do that?

[ben.franklin]

I noticed that you put you used AC3 audio - how do I do that? I can't see that in the settings. Also, in "Encode mode" it is selecting "3:2 pulldown when playback".

Could this be where the problem lies?

Thanks for your help

***EDIT*** Actually I only get 3:2 pulldown if I select FILM MOVIE, whereas usually I always use VIDEO MOVIE.

[korth]

I'm using the same format for each one I encode, and usually it is just done through the project wizard. Two of the films were NTSC, one was PAL - could this be the problem for this particular DVD I'm trying to make? -

For an NTSC DVD, these are my settings -
29.97fps or 23.976fps
CBR MPEG1 layer II audio (MP2)
352 x 480
Bitrate - Depends on original file quality
Aspect Ratio - 4:3
Full screen (keep aspect ratio)

Is there not a guide to making a DVD with more than one film on? One of my friends was had a DVDR with around 5 films on the other day that he'd bought from someone? How would they manage to do that?

I noticed that you put you used AC3 audio - how do I do that? I can't see that in the settings. Also, in "Encode mode" it is selecting "3:2 pulldown when playback".

Could this be where the problem lies?

Thanks for your help

OK we're in two different authoring programs now so I'll try to keep it straight <g>. Ulead products don't like 23.976fps and handle 3:2 pulldown very poorly. Dvd architect will convert 23.976 and 3:2 pulldown to 29.97fps. The second problem is your frame size. It should be D1 or 1/2 D1 to work in most authoring programs. In NTSC that would be 720x480 or 360x480. For PAL that would be 720x576 or 360x576. I don't think CBR would be a problem other than it's a terrible waste of space. VBR from 2000 to 8000 would be better. The max of 8000 leaves room for your audio.

I create dvds with multiple mpegs and menus. Workshop can do it. So can architect. See below for a suggestion.

Dvd architect will convert your mpeg-1 layer II audio to AC3 when you compile your project. An option pops up at that point. Workshop is going to want to convert your audio as well but it doesn't have an AC3 option.

I'd suggest you next try dvdlab. There is a forum here and at http://www.mmbforums.com/
It can handle 3:2 pulldown and non-standard frame sizes (provided your player will) and is pretty easy to figure out.
If you go through tje forum at http://www.mmbforums.com/ you'll find links to the beta. There is only one more beta scheduled before the program goes to market so the current beta is very stable. I've been using it from the first beta.

[ben.franklin]

Thanks Korth, I'll add this to favourites then I check back when I'm doing my next lot of encoding! )

I'll also try DVDLab right now - thanks for the link. Ulead DVD Workshop is currently converting some files for me now to burn to DVD, so I may as well leave it to it, though the estimated time is something like 10 hours.

Do you use DVDLab instead of TMPGEnc?

[ben.franklin]

Also, I must just mention another problem I have. When trying to encode a film from DivX to MPEG2 (DVD) in TMPGEnc, sometimes I find that it won't let me lower the size of the output file to any less than 50%. This means I can only fit two on in total! Any ideas?

DVDLab is looking good by the way! Apart from the finished file is estimated at being 5.7gigs.



EDIT*** Actually, upon compiling it reads as....

ESTIMATED DVD SIZE: 5.69GB (4.7GB DVD SPACE = 6.11GB)

Does this mean I'm okay then???

[txpharoah]

I'm using the same format for each one I encode, and usually it is just done through the project wizard. Two of the films were NTSC, one was PAL - could this be the problem for this particular DVD I'm trying to make? -

For an NTSC DVD, these are my settings -
29.97fps or 23.976fps
CBR MPEG1 layer II audio (MP2)
352 x 480
Bitrate - Depends on original file quality
Aspect Ratio - 4:3
Full screen (keep aspect ratio)

Is there not a guide to making a DVD with more than one film on? One of my friends was had a DVDR with around 5 films on the other day that he'd bought from someone? How would they manage to do that?

Your only problem is that you need MPEG2, not MPEG1. The authoring package should convert the audio to WAV/AC3 for you. Everything else is just fine.

[korth]

Your only problem is that you need MPEG2, not MPEG1. The authoring package should convert the audio to WAV/AC3 for you. Everything else is just fine.

Me thinks your looking at audio information. Mpeg-1 layer II is MP2.

[korth]

Also, I must just mention another problem I have. When trying to encode a film from DivX to MPEG2 (DVD) in TMPGEnc, sometimes I find that it won't let me lower the size of the output file to any less than 50%. This means I can only fit two on in total! Any ideas?
DVDLab is looking good by the way! Apart from the finished file is estimated at being 5.7gigs.
EDIT*** Actually, upon compiling it reads as....
ESTIMATED DVD SIZE: 5.69GB (4.7GB DVD SPACE = 6.11GB)
Does this mean I'm okay then???

You are aware that DVD blanks are in 1000s instead of 1024s? So a 4.7GB blank only holds 4.37GB or 4472MB. No you are not alright <g>. Dvdlab allows you to go over if you want so you can create a title set with 6.11GB. You just can't burn it.
Not sure you allowed dvdlab to transcode your audio to wav files or if your files are really too big to fit one disc.

Do you use DVDLab instead of TMPGEnc?

I use tmpgenc for encoding. I don't use the wizards. I don't use any of the stock templates.

[ben.franklin]

Ok, thanks.

But by not using a wizard how will I be able to approximate how big the final size of my MPEG will be, for example if I want to fit 3 films on one disc?

[korth]

ben.franklin,

check your personal messages.