Authoring

[DVWannaB]

Gang,

Help a desperate and getting frustrated man. I have movies rendered in TMPG as SVCD. I want to put them on DVD-R. I have converted the files using vcdhelp to 352x480. I now have 2 files, an MPEG2 and an MPA file. Now I want to author and burn.

I downloaded and tried SpruceUp trial version and everything went fine, but it would not export. Maybe this is a good thing since spruceup is not supported or sold anymore......probably not the way to go. I then downlaoded trial of Ulead Movie Factory. It did not recognize my multiplexed MPEG2 file like Spruceup did. Spruceup automatically added my sound MPA file (cool!!!)

What are you guys using? Which do you prefer and why? HELLLPPPPP!!!!

[DVWannaB]

Nobody authoring DVDs out there?

[LanceSteel]

I tried pretty much every dvd authoring software out there. Most packages will only deal with demuxed video/audio streams. Dvdit even complains if the audio stream isn't ac3 or pcm (no mp2 is allowed apparently.) SpruceUp, ulead dvd movie factory and dvdit are all crap in my opinion. If you want real, professional dvd authoring capability I would get something like dvdmaestro (which is very unaffordable to the average home dvd authorer.)

[Jestorius]

Ulead Movie Factory isn't so bad authoring software for you to make some DVD's.

The main problem is that your footage isn't a dvd compliant mpeg. And I can guess that the audio is the problem. It has to be 48khz.

It is a template based easy to author solution. Makes better menues than DVDit and costs only ~50$. It gives you the possibility to author vcd, svcd or dvd on the same way without any spesial knowledge.

[LanceSteel]

352x480 is dvd complient.

From the dvddemystified faq:

Allowable picture resolutions are:
MPEG-2, 525/60 (NTSC): 720x480, 704x480, 352x480
MPEG-2, 625/50 (PAL): 720x576, 704x576, 352x576
MPEG-1, 525/60 (NTSC): 352x240
MPEG-1, 625/50 (PAL): 352x288


My bet is that it is the audio file.

update:
Looking through the dvd demystified faq I found this:
Discs containing 525/60 video (NTSC) must use PCM or Dolby Digital on at

least one track. Discs containing 625/50 video (PAL/SECAM) must use PCM or MPEG

audio or Dolby Digital on at least one track. Additional tracks may be in any

format. A few first-generation players, such as those made by Matsushita, can't

output MPEG-2 audio to external decoders.
Try to make the stream PCM or ac3 (if you have an ac3 encoder.)

[DVWannaB]

Thanks guys.

My audio file is a 48khz MPA file converted in TMPEG from a demux MPEG2 movie. According to Movie factory, it does support MPA. And yes 352x480 is within DVD specs. Spruceup accepted both audio and video streams and I even played it with no problems. Just would not export the darn thing for some reason. I will check my audio file again and maybe this time I will use tooLame to convert my demuxed audio file.

I wanted a low cost solution, so I will try Movie factory again tonight and see what happens. If not I will try a software called Neo DVD from Medio (or something like that).

Thanks again.

[Jestorius]

The audio is a part of the mpeg in Ulead. It has to be 48khz. If isn't than it is not a DVD complient asset.

You didn't say nothing abouth your GOP structure.

[DVWannaB]

J,

You are over my head on that one 'bro. I used LSX DVD template with bitrate 3000 CBR to encode AVI. I guess I used the default GOP structure in LSX.

[Jestorius]

take a look at www.tecoltd.com and download a free Bitrateviwer software. You can use it to examine the mpeg and if you like it after registration you can correct many things with it.

It tells you everything abouth your mpeg.

I have tried Movie Factory. I'm not using it anymore. But because the low price I'm not shoure it supports all the formats you can finde in the DVD Specification. With 720x576 Pal it worked very well. It was just excellent to use it to make VCD or SVCD.

[DVWannaB]

Thanks. I will do just that. I am beginning to believe that you are on to something. It is either my audio or video (most likely audio file) that is jamming things up. I will get busy tonight and see what happens.

[Jestorius]

I just come over something in your post. If SpruceUp can use, even play your assets than they should be ok. Did you assigned FirstPlay in SpruceUp?
Is it the export to DVDimage or burning problem?

[DVWannaB]

No I did not. I followed the guide from this site and I dont remember that being mentioned. I loaded my assets and skipped the menu creation and all that (I just wanted a plain DVD without extra stuff). I then played the movie. Everything looked good and sounded good. Then I hit the export button in the bottom left of the screen. Then it showed no movie assets at all. So it is my export to DVD that is my problem.

[Jestorius]

Sorry if I can't help you. I never used SpruceUp but my experience with other software like Impressin DVD-Pro sayes, if you don't have assigned FirstPlay than the DVD don't work in the standalone.

DVDMaestro stopps compilling the project without FirstPlay.

Scenarist stopps for the min. mistake you made.

DVDit fix FirstPlay for you if you don't have anything else in the project.

As I know from others - SpruceUp is a very good software and it gives you more freedom to design your own menues than MovieFactory. If you deside to use MovieFactory than you have to mux the elementary streams together. Use Tmpgenc or BBmpeg?? to do it. The audio still has to be 48khz. But if your goal is to make a simple DVD-Video than Sonic MyDVD can also do the job.