DVD studio pro - m2v import error

[kyno]

I'm trying to import m2v format video file by using DVD studio pro 1.5 os-x version.
But when I select file->import, I can only import audio file(ac3. mp2) and if I try to import m2v file or drag m2v file to asset window, it shows error message.
Also when I see the manual pdf file, there is some audio-video select option in the import window, but I can't find this option at all.
Am i doing something wrong?
Please somebody help me.....

[SCB]

Check out this link: http://homepage.mac.com/rnc/SVCDtoDVD.html

[dvspeed]

I think the problem lies within your .m2v file. Was it originally encoded at 720x480? If it wasn't that's why DVD Studio Pro isn't recognizing it. I use this format to put 2 movies on one cheap $1.95 DVD-r with great results.

[Macnewbie]

When you drag the m2v file to the assets window, what is the error that pops up? If it's "bad format" this can be fixed by running the m2v file through a program called MPEGAppend.

A 7-day trial version is available here:
http://homepage.mac.com/DVD_SP_Helper/Commerical/MAOSuX.html

[AntnyMD]

In actuality, DVD Studio Pro is rejecting your m2v file because it is either not encoded in a DVD spec resolution, or it has been encoded with open GOPs and/or the GOP size is greater than 18.


For the record, ffmpegX makes DVD-compliant MPEG-2 video when using the generic MPEG2 setting (provided you key in a valid resolution).

[techne]

In actuality, DVD Studio Pro is rejecting your m2v file because it is either not encoded in a DVD spec resolution, or it has been encoded with open GOPs and/or the GOP size is greater than 18.


For the record, ffmpegX makes DVD-compliant MPEG-2 video when using the generic MPEG2 setting (provided you key in a valid resolution).

Can you explain more on this? I have tried in vain to produce DVDSP-compliant MPEG2 files and the best I have got are files who can be imported and markers can be set on them but you can't set a marker in its beginning so it seems you can't use the previous-track buttom in the finished DVD.

Oh.. I own a Pismo/500 so I can't make m2v's with the standard MPEG2 encoder included with DVDSP

Techné

[AntnyMD]

If you aren't using the MPEG2 encoder that comes with DVDSP, what software are you using to produce your m2v files? If you're demultiplexing the m2v out of a VOB file from a commercial DVD, that video is already compliant and should import into DVDSP. Before I started using ffmpegX, I produced compliant DVD video streams with Astarte M.Pack, and that produced compliant files (though blocky). ffmpegX produces DVD-compliant video streams provided you input the proper settings, and the output looks great on television.

The DVD spec is very specific about GOP (group of pictures) sizes and DVDSP adheres to the spec. Some encoders that were originally intended only to produce VCDs often allow MPEG-2 encoding to leave the GOP open (DVD requires a closed GOP), and with GOP sizes of any size (DVD requires a GOP of no more than 18 pictures for NTSC). I've found its this GOP business that causes DVDSP to ignore your file, in addition to an invalid frame size or audio bitrate.

[techne]

If you aren't using the MPEG2 encoder that comes with DVDSP, what software are you using to produce your m2v files? If you're demultiplexing the m2v out of a VOB file from a commercial DVD, that video is already compliant and should import into DVDSP. Before I started using ffmpegX, I produced compliant DVD video streams with Astarte M.Pack, and that produced compliant files (though blocky). ffmpegX produces DVD-compliant video streams provided you input the proper settings, and the output looks great on television.

The DVD spec is very specific about GOP (group of pictures) sizes and DVDSP adheres to the spec. Some encoders that were originally intended only to produce VCDs often allow MPEG-2 encoding to leave the GOP open (DVD requires a closed GOP), and with GOP sizes of any size (DVD requires a GOP of no more than 18 pictures for NTSC). I've found its this GOP business that causes DVDSP to ignore your file, in addition to an invalid frame size or audio bitrate.

No, I'm not doing rips. I'm doing this musical video with a Canon Elura videocam for a friend's band. I get the stuff edited and finished in iMovie, then I save the project as a .mov with DV quality. Then I use MMT 0.8.8 to encode it as a MPEG2 stream. I don't know much about other tools and less about MacOS v9 or Classic (I'm a switcher). Default options in MMT 0.8.8 only get you a DVDSP non-complaint file. I read the help pages you can find in RNC and tried with the next command lines:

ppmtoy4m: -v 0 -F 30000:1001 -S 420_mpeg2
mpeg2enc: -v 0 -f 3 -a 2 -b 6000 -q 1 -r 24 -I 0 -S 2000 -M 1 -s

why? It just works. After some tests with a tiny 30Mb .mov it was the one who worked.

What do I get? a m2v file DVDSP would accept. But it doesn't show the thumbnail in the Graphical View window and somehow it prevents you to use the previous button. At least in my computer and my dvd player (Daewoo DVG-3000N). Also, DVDSP reports it as NO closed GOP .

Techné.

[jchansen]

Hang on, I've tried some rips from commercial discs and gotten the bad format error as well. Now, is this some problem with the ripping (OSEx and DVDBackup/BBdemux) or do these commercial VOBs have open GOPs? And, is there no other way besides MPEGAppend, or decoding/reencoding?

Jeremy