Encore: Severe restrictions on supported video files

[Sir Jiggles]

I am trying to use Adobe Encore DVD 1.5 to make a DVD of videos I downloaded online.

The videos are encoded using DivX 5 and are at a resolution of 624 x 352. Unfortunately Encore requires them to be 720 x 480, 720 x 486 or
704 x 480 in size, with specific frame rates as well.

When I try to import them as assets, I get an error message to this effect. I have tried using programs to resize the video files, but one I have yet to find a program that can do it reasonably quickly without loss in quality and two, changing the video proportions distorts the viewing experience.

Three, when I tried to import some resized video as assets, I get a message saying the frame rate is wrong and I must transcode immediately. It gives me several transcoding options, but selecting any will then result in an error message saying "Sorry, an abnormal condition has been detected. Before quitting, you have one chance to save your project (don't use the same name as the original)."

First off, what is wrong with Encore? Secondly, is there any way around this whole size issue? Or is there another DVD authoring program I should consider besides Encore? I want to be able to create custom cool menus with animated buttons all that jazz, too.

Any advice is appreciated.

[guns1inger]

What is wrong with Encore ? There are many things wrong with Encore, but in this case th eproblem is definately the user. You are trying to jump in and create a DVD with a tool you have no idea how to use. You need to stake baby steps. If you don't have the patience, bundle up your Encore disks and manuals, and take them back to your Adobe reseller for a refund. Then download VSO DivxtoDVD while it is still free, and use it to convert your avi files. You wont get pretty menus, but you don't need to understand anything about the process either. Just load and go.

If you do want to take the time to understand how it all works, there are many usefull guides to your left, and in the Guides forum. There are many people here who are willing to help people who have shown a willingness to help themselves first.

[jimmalenko]

There's plenty of authoring softwares out there besides encore. TMPGEnc DVD Author or dvd-lab are just two - check out the Tools section under DVD Authoring for a host more.

While never having used Encore, it sounds to me like you're trying to import your AVIs directly into it, and I'm not surprised that it's giving you errors if that is the case. Most likely you need to re-encode to DVD-compliant MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 (See What is DVD? for specs). Then import these DVD-compliant MPEGs into Encore and you'll probably have far greater success.


EDIT:

... or use an all-in-crap-one tool.