Authoring clips that are widescreen

[MarilynFan]

OK. I have spent practically the whole day screwing around with this so I am just going to post for help instead of searching these forums anymore. I have 12 DVD's that I would like to take clips from and put them together onto 1 DVDR. I did this previously without problems using DVDShrink. However, I've decided I would like to make it nicer by adding a menu and transitions, etc. The software I use to do this is Studio 8.

In order to get the clips into a format I can use I took the advice I read about here and downloaded AutoGK so I could get my DVD clips in avi format which Studio will read. 2 problems, there is no sound in Studio...I downloaded the AC3 filter and that fixed the sound problem when I play the clip in Windows Media player but there is still no sound in Studio. The other problem I never considered was that about half of these DVD's are widescreen. In Studio the widescreen clips are squished. I guess it doesn't support that format. So now what are my free options? Studio cost me an arm and a leg as it is so I don't want to have to buy another editor. Should I look into converting the widescreen avi's into fullscreen somehow? Any suggestions? Also would love to hear any ideas why the sound might not be working.

[thecoalman]

As you have found studio 8 doesn't support widescreen. If I remember correctly you can do all you edits in studio 8 and create a DVD folder on your HD. Use ifoedit to edit the .ifo file to tag the widescreen video correctly. I've never done this but it can be done.

You sound problem is probably because studio doesn't support AC3 either. I think you have to convert it to PCM before you use it with Studio 8.

[Baldrick]

Or use a software that does support ac3 and widescreeen like Ulead DVD Workshop, DVD-lab.

[t-vs]

Adobe Encore DVD supports ac3 and 16:9. You can even have 4:3 and 16:9 in the same project. Expensive!

Tmpgenc DVD Author also support both, but not in same project, and you need a codec for ac3.

[MarilynFan]

Thanks for the info! Yes, I guess what I need is an editor that will let me have both formats in the same project. I only have this one project to complete so I wonder if I can get by with a trial version of something. As long as I end up with an iso file in the end I would be happy. Maybe I'll try the trial of the Adobe suggestion.

[thecoalman]

None of those are editors, don't know about the rest but DVD Workshop has limited editing ability. About what your going to get from the cheaper all-in-one capture to burn tools (suchs pinnacle studio) but it's authoring abilities are practically limitless. The others will probably be the same. Adobe Encore and DVD Workshop are on the professional side and don't come cheap.

If your looking for something similar to Studio 8 try out Ulead Video Studio 8, it supports widescreen.