Ulead DVD Workshop.....mpeg quality..FYI

[ejai]

I just wanted to post my opinion about the Ulead's DVD Workshop mpeg2 DVD encoding quality.

I have been using Tmpgenc for a few years now and found not one software encoder to rival it's results, until now.

I downloaded the DVD Workshop 1.2 patch and created an avi file from a vhs movie using Pinnacles Studio Deluxe. Installed the patch in the DVD factory and created menus and let DVD Workshop encode the video instead of using Tmpgenc.

The results were outstanding, the video quality was clear and most noticable was no blockiness during fast motion areas, even when encoding at a bit rate of 4000.

I tried the same video file using Tmpgenc and identical settings that were used in DVD Workshop, the results were conclusive. Tmpgenc still had some blockiness and quality was was similar to DVD Workshop, but I liked the Workshop's better.

For those of you that are using DVD Workshop, do the test for yourself. I'm sure you will be suprised by the results.

Happy Encoding,
Ernest

[rsl614]

too bad Workshop has such a problem with audio-sync....otherwise it's a great little program.

R

[tonypro2]

It also doesn't directly support AC3 audio, although you can multiplex it in after the fact using TMPGenc and DVD WS will recognize it.

[leebo]

It dosn't cook my breakfast either, but what do you want for $200?

When do you have sound sync problems?
I haven't has this.

[rsl614]

Anytime I capture an MPEG2 from my Hauppage wintv PVR 250, the resulting MPEG is perfect. Great quality, sound, etc. After Ulead re-encodes it, it's completely screwed. Audio sync is atrocious. Around ten seconds off, and the supposed patch to fix this problem only made it worse.

Hopefully, when they put the 1.2 trial version up on the site, it will fix the issue, and then maybe I'll bite the bullet and purchase the prog.

I don't know why all the authoring programs refuse to include the option not to re-encode. I know Ulead 1.2 does, but If you don't have the full, purchased version, the patch doesn't work, and I refuse to buy software that may end up with such a huge shortcoming.

Rob

[leebo]

I agree with you 100%.

I assumed you were talking about 1.2. It works great.
But wait till you can test it for yourself. I've wasted way too much money due to lack of patience!

[rsl614]

Well, glad to know it's not just me. Hopefully the 1.2 release will do the trick, because aside from the audio sync issues, it is a really good tool...

Rob

[ejai]

I understand the sync issues but I don't have any sync problems because I use a capture software called Scenalyzer, from WWW.Scenalyzer.com.

This software captures avi file in perfect sync. try it out and then use Ulead's DVD Workshop I'm sure you will be pleased with the results

Ernest

[rsl614]

scenalyzer doesn't recognize Hauppage WinTV PVR....at least I'm pretty sure it won't. If I'm not mistaken, the only encoding tool you can use with the card is the WINTV 2000 that it comes with.

R

[ahfairley]

I understand the sync issues but I don't have any sync problems because I use a capture software called Scenalyzer, from WWW.Scenalyzer.com.

My understanding is the Scenalyzer is only for DV caps, not analog caps as from a TV card.

Alan

[ejai]

Not true, I don't have a DV camera and use Pinnacle's Studio Deluxe to capture the video. Mostly from my vcr.

I have no problems what so ever.

ej

[leebo]

[quote]"I use a capture software called Scenalyzer" " I don't have a DV camera and use Pinnacle's Studio Deluxe to capture the video."

Which is it????

[Lamont Cranston]

I have ATI AIW 128 Pro, MainConcept DV Codec and no luck with capture with SceneAlyzer with vfw.

[offline]

Unfortunately I can't test DVD Movie Factory as you have to
have a registered copy to try the new patch but based on my tests with new software mpeg-2 codecs released by others I seriously doubt that Ulead has come anywhere near tmpgenc for quality (the unpatched
version is miles away). Full marks go to Ulead, however, for releasing
full trial versions of their software to test. It is a pity they can't release
even a logo embeded version of their new mpeg-2 codec. However, for
those who want simple VCD and SVCD menu creation, DVD Movie Factory is worth every cent.

NB: for those that complained of sync issues, there are a couple of
patches that will work with both registered and trial versions of DVD
Movie Factory.

Here u go mol3000,

http://ftp2.ulead.com/pub/Updates/DVDMovieFactory/

[Jeff Muller]

After Ulead re-encodes it, it's completely screwed.

Although I don't have it, I believe one of the new features of UDW 1.2 is that it doesn't re-encode MPEG files.

I own VideoStudio 5, and am considering getting "Workshop" for its improved authoring (menus, etc).

Jeff

[rsl614]

OK, so I finally got the 1.0 version of Ulead DVD Workshop, and updated it with the 1.2 patch.

I encoded to MPEG2 using WinTV2000. I used the template for DVD long play. Now, I made chpater stops using the Ulead editor, a menu, and checked the "do not convert to compliant" box before making VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS.

The audio is STILL out of sync. The only thing I can think of is that something must be screwing up the multiplexing process. Any thoughts?

I'm running the following:

pentium 4 2.2mhz
Hauppage WinTV PVR 250
512 mgs RAM
120 gig HD

Thoughts?

Rob

[leebo]

I used the template for DVD long play.

Try using the highest bitrate setting instrad.

BTW, the source file is in sync b4 importing into Workshop?

[rsl614]

yeah, the MPEG is perfect before it goes into Workshop.... And, if I use the highest bitrate, I won't be able to fit the movie on the disc....

R

[leebo]

And, if I use the highest bitrate, I won't be able to fit the movie on the disc....

But since it won't re-encode, it wont have any effect.

Try it.

[rsl614]

I will give it a shot.

Rob

[rsl614]

No good. still waaay out of sync.

Is there anyone out there who is using the WinTV PVR and ULEAD Workshop to make DVD's that has been succesful? What are your settings? Maybe I'm encoding it wrong, although the mpeg plays perfectly in windows....

Rob

[ejai]

I don't understand why you continue to get video that is out of sync. I know the new version will not convert the file if it is compliant.

Also for those who don't have the 1.2 version there is a way to keep Uleads DVD Workshop from re-encoding your video. If you set the settings in DVD Workshop higher than the video and audio in the stream you are using the program will not encode it.

In other words if your video bitrate is 4000 and audio is 224, set the make disk selection in DVD Workshop to 6000 and the audio to 384. As long as the rates in DVD Workshop are higher then it will not encode your video.

This is only necessary for those still using version 1.0 of DVD Workshop

Ej

[rsl614]

I am now (in 1.2) getting a message when I click the make disc button that says MPeg is not a standard audio format for an Ntsc DVD.

I never had this before. What's up wit that?

R

[leebo]

Have you tried re-encoding with TMPEGEnc?

Try asking SHS about this. He seems to be the resident expert on Hauppage stuff.

[Lamont Cranston]

I am now (in 1.2) getting a message when I click the make disc button that says MPeg is not a standard audio format for an Ntsc DVD.

I never had this before. What's up wit that?

R

DVDWS V1.2 supports LPCM audio. If you select mpeg 1 layer 2 audio when you Make Disk DVDWS will post the message mpeg (mpeg 1 layer 2) is not a standard NTSC audio type. I don't know why Ulead has chosen to flag this as an error.

[ahfairley]

I think its because the NTSC spec for DVD is that it can have up to 8 audio channels which can be various formats, including AC3, PM, MPEG-1 layer 2, but at least one of which has to be AC3 or PCM. I suspect DVD WS is only burning the one audio channel, so technically it is out of spec if that channel isn't AC3 or PCM.

BTW, don't take this as gospel, I'm pretty new at this.

Alan

[rsl614]

I swear to god...I'm gonna throw the whole goddamned thing out the window. I am so fed up with this....

[Lamont Cranston]

I think its because the NTSC spec for DVD is that it can have up to 8 audio channels which can be various formats, including AC3, PM, MPEG-1 layer 2, but at least one of which has to be AC3 or PCM. I suspect DVD WS is only burning the one audio channel, so technically it is out of spec if that channel isn't AC3 or PCM.

BTW, don't take this as gospel, I'm pretty new at this.

Alan

Yes, those are the NTSC DVD specs on the left <--- but IMHO the specs have contradictions. DVDs also support the VCD standard which includes mpeg1 layer 2 audio, 48Khz not 44Khx but still mpeg 1 layer 2. IMHO DVD players are not designed to enforce DVD specs and do not reject a DVD if it only has a mpeg 1 layer 2 audio track... At least none that I am aware of. If the DVD player will play a VCD it will play a DVD with mpeg 1 layer 2 audio. Bottom line I have no concern about using mpeg 1 layer 2 audio on DVDs and up until release of DVDWS V1.2 neither did Ulead.

[mol3000]

offline, can u email me that .exe file for the sync problems????

[rsl614]

So I tried to use SpruceUp to burn the same material and got an interesting error message.

"Audio frames were not started at the expected location"

Anyone know why? How? What? I am soooo sick of this.

R