Point me in the right direction..

[K_cin_az]

Hey guys,

I just need a little point in the right direction. I have read through a couple of the guides and forum topics but I am unable to find the best method. IF someone could just point me at the best method to complete what I'm looking to do I can follow the guides and etc.


I am looking to create my own dvd's off of files downloaded from the net (concerts, when I get a dvd recorder I will be looking to get much deeper). Most of my files are mpg-1 or avi. I want to create my dvd's using ac3 audio. I have played with tmpgenc and have found no way to do this. What steps do I need to take to get my video files in mpeg-II format with AC3 audio?

Ive noticed the besweet program seems simple but I am not sure exactly what are the most efficient steps to get my mpeg I or avi video converted to mpeg II and join it with the ac3 stream. ANy help would be great!

And once I get that accomplished can I use tmpg dvd author to create my dvd's with those files? Down the road I would want to get into better programs where I can make motion menus and etc, but right now I am just looking to get started.

[pijetro]

Just a thought, but since you're at the mercy of the person who created these music videos, quality can take a second seat..

As far as audio goes, I'm not going to get into it too much (it's late), but depending on the quality of the video, you might be better off saving it as an uncompressed wave file. Yes it takes up space, thus shrinking bitrate for your videos, but this will probably give you best audio quality.....Actually, since .AC3, uncompressed, and Mpeg1layer2 audio are all supported by the DVD standard, why not leave the original audio alone??

Although I personally use BeSweet to transcode my captures to .AC3 sound.

[dafreak]

here's what i do.
I don't know if it's the greatest method, but I've created some really nice anime dvd's this way.

1. load each video file into gspot
-write down the total length of the video
-the frame rate used
-the bitrate used for the audio
-note what mhz the audio is also

2. add up the lengths of each video
-insert the total length into the vcdhelp bitrate calculator
-make sure you enter in the correct bitrate for the audio that you wrote down earlier or if you know what bitrate you want, you can add that to the audio bitrate.
-this will give you the bitrate you should encode for your video.

3. encode using tmpgenc.
-open up tmpgenc, and cancel out of the wizard
-along the bottom, you should have an option to choose ES (elemantry stream) or video only.
-click on settings.
-choose to encode the video using cbr (you can use vbr, but it takes longer, and you can get similar results with cbr).
-enter the video bitrate you found in step two.
-choose the frame rate. If you want to make a dvd, it's usually in 29.97 fps or pal. if your video source is 23.97 fps, choose 23.97 and 3:2 pulldown under the encode mode field.
-check out this website for more info on the tmpgenc settings. there's a lot of information to take in. tmpgenc settings
-start the encode.
-repeat process for all the files you want to include in the dvd

4. strip the audio and convert to ac3
-open up the original video in virtualdub
-click on streams | streams list
-if the stream is not 4800 mhz then right click on the stream you want and choose conversion.
-place a dot next to 4800 mhz and click ok
-click on save wave
-show where you want to save the audio.
-it should save as a .wav file
-next step is to convert to ac3
-use ffmpegGUI convert the wave file to ac3

at this point you should have m2v and ac3 files for each clip you want to add to your dvd compilation.
it's time to create chapters and menus for your dvd.

open up tmpegnc dvd author.
-click on add clip
-add the first clip (m2v file) and the corresponding audio file (ac3) file.
-click on edit to create chapters if you want.
-when you're done adding chapters. click ok twice till you come back to the start of your project.
-on the left side, click where it says "add another track"
-repeat all the steps above until you've added all your clips.
-create menus if you want and then show tmpgenc where you want your final dvd files saved.
-when it is finished...burn your new files onto a blank dvd and you're done.


This process takes some time to do. I think the encoding part is the longest part of the process, but when you see the final results, you'll be happy you spent the time.

[K_cin_az]

Thanks man! thanks exactly what I was looking for!