Laserdisc to DVD, and a little more

[Grain]

After much reading in the Forums and Guides sections, I still need some advice. I suspect that TMPGEnc DVD Author 2.0 may be one of the programs I'm looking for, but read on and please let me know if you concur.

What I'm starting to work on is creating DVD's from LD and DVD files (1 for the feature, 1 for extras). Essentially creating a Criterion DVD from LD and DVD sources, for a film that got the LD Criterion treatment, but hasn't been released on DVD. The film is The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. My sources are the Criterion LD (3 LD's, 6 sides, all CAV), and a Superbit DVD (may use the regular release audio also). What I want to do is take the commentary track from the LD's, and add it to the Superbit DVD video, keeping the DTS track, and if space also the DD 5.1 track (may even add the DD 2.0 track from the regular DVD, space permitting). Will create a second disc for extras from the LD's, likely will only require a DVD5. I intend to create menu's for the feature disc (will have to be a DL) and also for the extras disc. Getting the LD's on to the computer in a DVD format isn't a problem, I'll be doing that via a DVD recorder.

Here's where I need some advice.

1) What is a better audio format to use to record the LD in, AC3 or LPCM (to later edit/splice)? My DVD recorder will use LPCM if set to 1 hour record, settings longer than that use AC3, I believe. LPCM is my first choice, but it will be larger and is probably not necessary quality wise for a commentary, so that is not in stone. I'll need to cut the audio tracks (will be 6, one from each side of a LD) for continuity, then splice to 1 full length track. Which is easier to splice & join, AC3 or LPCM? And just as important, what's a good program to use?

2) Chapters when recording: I can only assume that there is no point in adding chapter stops (via the recorder, set intervals ie 4 mins etc) when recording the LD's to DVD, as later they will be redundant if not obstructive when merging the LD originated audio to DVD video, correct?

3) What program can I use to add the commentary track to the DVD video? Ideally, I'd like a program that can also create menu's for same. It can be freeware or buyware, unfortunately hopefully not some $300 suite though.

4) It appears that TMPGEnc DVD Author 2.0 won't work with a DTS track, even though I won't be modifying it, correct? I may want up to 4 audio tracks, it appears that it can only have 2, correct?

Ideally I'm looking for a DVD authoring suite/program that can add an external audio track to a DVD video, create menus, etc. If possible I don't want to re-encode the video, but that may not be possible.
Thanks for any comments and/or suggestions. If successful, Terry Gilliams The Fisher King Criterion LD is next!

[Marvingj]

Try Sony Vegas...

[edDV]

Here's where I need some advice.

1) What is a better audio format to use to record the LD in, AC3 or LPCM (to later edit/splice)? My DVD recorder will use LPCM if set to 1 hour record, settings longer than that use AC3, I believe. LPCM is my first choice, but it will be larger and is probably not necessary quality wise for a commentary, so that is not in stone. I'll need to cut the audio tracks (will be 6, one from each side of a LD) for continuity, then splice to 1 full length track. Which is easier to splice & join, AC3 or LPCM? And just as important, what's a good program to use?

I'd use Vegas maybe with SoundForge linked for added audio capability. I'd stack the synchronized audio channels as LPCM tracks. These can be combined in any way when encoding in Vegas. You can do AC-3 and/or up to 8 output LPCM tracks for single DVD authoring or more tracks if multiple DVD discs will be used for extras..

Remember that Vegas does nested subprojects so each mixdown audio track can have a full page of source multi-track.

2) Chapters when recording: I can only assume that there is no point in adding chapter stops (via the recorder, set intervals ie 4 mins etc) when recording the LD's to DVD, as later they will be redundant if not obstructive when merging the LD originated audio to DVD video, correct?

I'd rebuild chapters in the DVD authoring program.

3) What program can I use to add the commentary track to the DVD video? Ideally, I'd like a program that can also create menu's for same. It can be freeware or buyware, unfortunately hopefully not some $300 suite though.

Vegas can do this. SoundForge on it's own can do this including audio synch to video playback. Audigy can do this without the video synch.

4) It appears that TMPGEnc DVD Author 2.0 won't work with a DTS track, even though I won't be modifying it, correct? I may want up to 4 audio tracks, it appears that it can only have 2, correct?

Not sure about DTS.

Ideally I'm looking for a DVD authoring suite/program that can add an external audio track to a DVD video, create menus, etc. If possible I don't want to re-encode the video, but that may not be possible.
Thanks for any comments and/or suggestions. If successful, Terry Gilliams The Fisher King Criterion LD is next!

Most any upper middle authoring program can do this without re-encoding the video.

[Grain]

Thanks for the info Gents!

[jman98]

I just want to warn you that if your edit of the LD differs from the DVD edit that you may have sync issues with the commentary track.
Vegas costs $500, which might be out of your price range.

I think you might as well just record the commentary in AC3 format. You'll be converting to that anyway as LPCM takes up too much space. It would be insane to have a commentary track in LPCM format, although you certainly could do it if you wanted to. Recording to LPCM first and converting to AC3 later will gain you nothing over just recording to AC3 to begin with. You could throw away the DVD AC3 track and replace it with the commentary if you want and keep the DTS. It's odd, but I have a Hong Kong DVD of Jackie Chan's _The Myth_ that is a legitimate release and it does that very thing. The movie only has a DTS soundtrack but the commentary is AC3. As long as your DVD has at least one LPCM or AC3 track, it's legal.

Setting chapters in your case on the DVD recorder is pointless as you'll re-author the DVD anyway and ignore any chapters the recorder sets.

[Grain]

I just want to warn you that if your edit of the LD differs from the DVD edit that you may have sync issues with the commentary track.
Vegas costs $500, which might be out of your price range.

I'd thought of the sync issue, but being that it is a commentary, if it's off by a few seconds that shouldn't negatively impact it much. Yes, $500 is more than I want to spend. I'll have to keep looking unfortunately.

I think you might as well just record the commentary in AC3 format. As long as your DVD has at least one LPCM or AC3 track, it's legal.

Setting chapters in your case on the DVD recorder is pointless as you'll re-author the DVD anyway and ignore any chapters the recorder sets.

I think your right, AC3 no chapter marks will be the way to go, although keeping it legal by having at least one AC3 track isn't really a concern, I'll not be selling it. Thanks for your input!

[jman98]

I shouldn't have used the word "legal" in my post. Replace that with "conforms to DVD specs". Any DVD authoring application should refuse to let you create a DVD with only DTS sound, although some may allow you to do so with the warning that it violates DVD standards, which require either LPCM or AC3 be present at a minimum. The DVD standard states that DTS can't be the only audio option on a DVD.

[Grain]

As a DTS enthusiast, I've never agreed with that standard, but they didn't ask me when they made it either

[edDV]

If anyone has a question for the Fraunhofer Institute engineers (MPeg gurus from Germany), I'm down in San Jose at a convention and they are here. Also Silicon Image.

They are pushing:
MPG3 Surround + Surround Headphone
MPeg4 AAC advanced audio
MPeg4 AVC H.264
DVB-H to handheld devices