Looking for a DVD authoring software that ...

[the_macman]

I'm trying to find a DVD authoring program that can do the following:

1) take a valid CVD stream (MPEG2 352x576) without transcoding
2) take an associated 5.1 AC3 audio stream without the need to transcode to PCM or dolby 2ch

I currently have lots of CVDs, which were all encoded in 1/2 D1, so that when I finally get a DVD writer (got a DVR-104 2 days ago...) - I can put all on DVD-Rs without any re-encoding.

I've also kept my original AC3s along with the CVD multiplexed streams for the purpose of retaining the full 5.1 soundtrack.

Have tried DVDIt - recognizes the AC3 stream, but needs to re-encode to 2ch dolby or PCM

Have tried ReelDVD - always complains my MPEGs are not either same aspect ratio, or same resolution ?!

Has anyone successfully tried what I'm trying to achieve here?

Grateful for any hints/tips/suggestions.

Regards: The MacMan, NL

[Ndb;-))]

I use Ulead DVD Workshop, but encode all my Mpeg's (1+2) in TMPGenc.
DVD Workshop never re-encodes my pre-encoded files or re-mux them like DVDiT PE always did. Plus it supports full motion menus and buttons etc etc. It also supports VCD/SVCD/mDVD with full navigation menus.

I've tried tons of authoring programs and this is the only one I'm happy with.

You can get a trail of it from http://www.ulead.co.uk (or .com)

I hope this helps, Kevin

[the_macman]

Thanks Kevin, but I need to know whether Workshop can handle pure AC3 sound. I do not to encode the sound in TMPGenc as it can not handle anything more than a 2ch stereo.

[BJ_M]

mux the ac3 and m2v file in tmpgenc and it is good to go in WS i seem to recall reading here ..

also -- acually , all elements of a dvd ae supposed to have the same resolution and aspect ratio .. but they can be created for sure even if they dont, and when they don't, whether or not all dvd players will play them, i dont know ..

[JasonK]

Encode your AC3 with another applications like Softencode, then mux it with the video in TMPGenc, then you can import in to Workshop.

[falberni]

I read in another post and made a note of the following. To make DVD Workshop ac3 capable, you have to edit the DVDWS.INI file. Make the following change:

playac3=0 change it to playac3=1

[Nolonemo]

the dvdws.ini trick is only needed for dvd ws to play ac3 audio on preview. It will encode OK without the ini being edited. Note that to hear ac3 you have to have ac3 codec on your machine -- usually will be there if you have a software DVD player installed.