Questions regarding compiling DVD

[Golem]

Thanks again to all that replied to my initial query!

Since I am just preparing files with the intent to burn them to DVD in the near future I can only go by the many great tutorials I've been reading when it comes to using authoring/editing/burning software.

Previously I saved all my DVD "short" clips to avi using the following softwares:
SmartRipper->DVD2AVI->VFAPIConv->VirtualDub.

I am gathering numerous "short" (1min-12min) files to be burned to DVD. I've now learned how to trim those to just the meat of the files but am unsure as to the following:

1. Is there any file degredation from VOB->MPG during the TMPEGnc editing/trimming process. Is there a bitrate that would make this a moot subject? If so, is there a max/min bitrate?

2. Is VOB->MPG the best/only option for preparing these "short" clips for burning to DVD?

3. Can "Frame Clip" in TMPEGnc be used without effecting file output intended for DVD? Does this not effect aspect ratio?

4. Can different aspect ratios be intermixed on the same DVD burn?

As stated, I've read many tutorials but none seem to address these issues since I'm not doing chapter or complete movie back-ups.

Thanks!,
Golem

[Golem]

Hi all,

This is my only real dilema at the moment that I would be greatful for an answer to...

I am using TMPEGnc only for the purposes of trimming excess footage off of my VOB files, not to re-encode for file size. What I would like to know is what settings should I use so as not to loose any DVD quality? As stated, I will be burning these back to DVD and would like 1to1 quality.

Cheers,
Golem

[dmonty]

1. Is there any file degredation from VOB->MPG during the TMPEGnc editing/trimming process.

No. The act of "editing/trimming" will not degrade the video quality.

2. Is VOB->MPG the best/only option for preparing these "short" clips for burning to DVD?

There are several ways to go about it but my favorite way with "shorts" are to stream the VOB using Smartripper into a M2V (video) and AC3 (audio) file. These files can then be inported into most of the "better" authoring apps like SpruceUp, Scenarist or Maestro.

3. Can "Frame Clip" in TMPEGnc be used without effecting file output intended for DVD? Does this not effect aspect ratio?

Don't know for sure. Purhaps someone else can answer this one

4. Can different aspect ratios be intermixed on the same DVD burn?

I can't get into detail unless I know what authoring tool you will use but YES you can have several aspect ratios on a single DVD.

Hope this helps

d

[garryheather]

If you want to adhere to the DVD Video specs, I think you will find you can NOT mix aspect ratios WITHIN THE SAME VOB.

Other than that I think you will be OK (top tip for ULead's DVD MovieFactory - if you get any errors relating to illegal MPEG formats, that's probably why... and ULead, if you're reading this, it took me a while to work out what I had done wrong here so a slightly better error report popup would be nice).

[dmonty]

If you want to adhere to the DVD Video specs, I think you will find you can NOT mix aspect ratios WITHIN THE SAME VOB.

Who said anything about mixing aspect ratios within the same VOB? I stated that your can have multiple aspect ratios on the same DVD. I did it with Monsters Inc. Kept the 16:9 version of the movie and all the "shorts" at 4:3 on the same DVD.