Hi all-

I am just curious what settings in TMPGENC you choose to use when converting d2v files to m2v files.

I am given the task of taking DVD masters and adding menus and chapters and making minor edits. I am using DGIndex to convert the VOB files to d2v and AC3. Then I bring it into TMPGENC to convert to m2v. I have followed the PAL to NTSC tutorial on this site using the same tools to great success but I am unsure about the optimum settings for just a basic NTSC video format in the VIDEO tab settings. The TMPGENC help section is not overly in depth in describing these features so I wanted to ask you pros that are familiar with TMPGENC what settings you use in the Video tab. Just an FYI, the video that I am converting is a 90 minute instructional painting video with very little rapid movement. The audio file is only 111 megs.

Vide tab settings

Rate Control Mode: (I used 2 Pass VBR, do you suggest this for DVD-r output?). When using this setting I have no idea what the difference is between 2 Pass and 2 Pass Old Type in the 2 Pass Settting option. Is there a difference? Also, I have used the Video Help bitrate calculator but sometimes the max bitrate is as high as 9500 and I think that's too high for a max bitrate, isnt it? I usually set the min to 2000. But what about average and max even if you have as much room as 9500 bit rate to work with? Will that cause problems with some computers or DVD players to go to a max that high? How about the average bitrate? Can you go too high with that even if the bitrate calculator gives you a high number to work with?

If you prefer a different Rate Control Mode than VBR for DVD-r output what settings would you suggest for my project?

What should the DC Component Precision be set at? 10 bits?

I usually opt for high quality slow for Motion Search Precision setting.

When I converting a couple of the DVDs I noticed a few hiccups in small parts of the DVD playback after I converted them. I am concerned I am using the wrong settings so any help would be appreciated.

I am only using a background still, 3 text menu options and a small loop wav for my menu intro in After Effects so not a whole lot of extra room is needed for the buffer but I factor in 200 megs in the calculator to be safe.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
nicole