Help with audio problems on dvd-lab pro and / or subtitles on a dvd

[Jack the Ripper]

I've been struggeling to add subtitles to a film I've finished on studio 9 and texts I wanted to make on Subtitle workshop. I didn't see how it was possible, so at some point I read somewhere that I'd better use the DVD-lab PRO.

I'm not interested in investing money in another authoring program, but I do have the trial version of it dvd-lab pro.
The problem is that for some reason the audio doesn't work there. All the rendering procedures there are completely new to me and I get the impression that the program is not very comfortable for relative amatures.

I'd very much like to know:

1) Is there any other way you know for me to add subtitles in 3 different languages using only studio 9 and subtitle workshop?
2) If I do have to use the dvd-lab pro, I can't hear any audio's from the films I'm using. What's happening there? Is it because its a trial version? The restriction of formats there is quite uncomfortable and totaly new for me.

I'd appreciate the shortest most productive tips you could offer.

Thanks in advance!

[mats.hogberg]

DVD-Lab is fine with subtitles. The limitation you experience when it comes to formats, is not DVD-Lab, but the Video DVD specification. DVD-Lab is an authoring app, nothing else. It doesn't prepare your source mtrl for you; you have to feed it DVD compliant audio and video to work. (The Pro in DVD-Lab Pro is there for a reason.)
As I don't know anything about "Studio" (what Studio?) I can't say how or if it handles subtitles.

/Mats

[Jack the Ripper]

Ok.
Sounds good.
I'm wondering then, what format exactly should I 'feed' him?
The program I used for editing was Pinnacle Studio 9 with a few upgrades (maybe its 10 by now).
Its not a proffessional program, but I can render to quite a big variation of formats. I hope I have the right ones for the dvd lab.
Would you happen to know that?
Thanks again!

[guns1inger]

DVD Lab doesn't encode. It can do some basic transcoding, but you really have to prepare your assets outside DVD Lab and then bring them in for authoring. DVD Lab Pro is not a toy. It doesn't do everything for you. It authors. That's what it is built to do.

[mats.hogberg]

For valid Video DVD audio formats, see WHAT IS DVD top left:

Audio:
48000 Hz
32 - 1536 kbps
Up to 8 audio tracks containing Dolby Digital, DTS, PCM(uncompressed audio), MPEG-1 Layer2. One audio track must have MPEG-1, DD or PCM Audio.

I'd recommend AC3 (Dolby Digital) if possible (it always is - ffmpeggui can convert most formats to AC3) or MP2.
/Mats

[Jack the Ripper]

Sounds great. Thanks for this!

Any tips on rendering from avi to dvd compatible mpeg losing the least amount of quality? I'm afraid I don't trust my pinnacle program enough for a good rendering.

[tinker]

You got answer for audio type from mats.hogberg.
If I can add few hints. Do not use Subtitle Workshop for your subtitle creation, because you will have a helluva time to synchronize them once imported to DVD Lab.
Use ProEX to do that. It is an addition to DVD Lab and its new version is very good for subtitles. Synchronization is no problem there. However it takes little time to get used to.
DVD Lab Pro can have 8 subtitle tracks.
I do not know if ProEX come with trial version.

[mats.hogberg]

HCEnc (or other mpg encoder). Don't cram > 2 hours to a DVD-5 if you want to keep quality. Optimally no more than 1 hour.
Look under Convert left, AVI to MPG, AVI to DVD for guides and tool suggestions.

/Mats

[Jack the Ripper]

You got answer for audio type from mats.hogberg.
If I can add few hints. Do not use Subtitle Workshop for your subtitle creation, because you will have a helluva time to synchronize them once imported to DVD Lab.
Use ProEX to do that. It is an addition to DVD Lab and its new version is very good for subtitles. Synchronization is no problem there. However it takes little time to get used to.
DVD Lab Pro can have 8 subtitle tracks.
I do not know if ProEX come with trial version.

Something is going wrong. I can't seem to install the ProEx.
There is a beta version (3) and one older one. But after installing my dvd lab doesn't recognize its there.

[mats.hogberg]

I've never had any trouble importing .srt files into DVD-Lab. (And didn't even know there was anything like ProEx)

/Mats

[tinker]

There is no problem importing .srt file from Workshop. Only problem is, they are not exactly in sync after compile, you have to re adjust timing in DVD lab and since there is no sound to it, it is not that easy.
What version of DVD lab are you testing?
There should be an icon in upper toolbar with Pro EX marking.
May be it is a problem with trial version. You should go on DVD Lab forum and ask there.
http://mmbforums.com/ipb/?f=24

[guns1inger]

I would load the video and subs into subtitle workshop and check them there. If the sync is wrong, you can adjust them and save a new version. Subtitle Workshop is much better for adjusting subs that DLP. DLP's subtitle support is really for making last minute changes to spelling or a single phrase, and is not intended to be a full subtitling tool.

[goanna300]

I have been subtitlling using Subtitle Workshop and DVD Lab Pro for 3 years. I send the freeware Subtitler Workshop to my language workers along with a tiny .mp4 video, they email me back the subtitle in .srt format.
I simply cannot see how synch problems can occur. If you're using the same video, the time code from the .srt file corresponds to the video - and that's that.
Note: With Subtitle workshop: learn to work so that you make sure your subtitles don't overlap each other.

A hint for making quick & Dirty DVD's using DVD-lab: Just use any old DVD-maker with your avi's. Then import the first DVD's .VOB files into DVD-Lab Pro.

I *do* have other troubles with DVD-Lab Pro.
1) It can only do 8 Subtitles
2) When you want to change font sizes, they default to the last font used. (I don't want my Italian version to use a simplified Chinese font)
3) There is no way to describe a track as "Simplified Chinese"
4) Still some bugs. My latest 8-Subtitle video will not play subtitles via the clients' remote control "subtitle" button.
I have re-authored this simple DVD from scratch without success.
result: (Someone help me, please?)
or
I sadly say goodbye to DVD Lab Pro & move on to Sony DVD Architect. This job has a deadline.