Newbie: Converting Media and Burning To DVD

[Spoogle]

What a nightmare!!

Here's what I'm trying to achieve;

I have two files, details are shown below (this information was provided by the utility AVIcodec), and I want to merge'em and then burn them to a DVD-R so that I can watch the resulting movie on my DVD player. I don't want any fancy menus or chapters, I just want to be able to watch it on my television through my DVD player.

File 1:
File : 258 MB (258 MB), duration: 0:47:04, type: AVI, 1 audio stream(s), quality: 42 %
Video : 239 MB, 711 Kbps, 29.970 fps, 480*360 (4:3), XVID = XVID Mpeg-4, Supported
Audio : 18.77 MB, 55 Kbps, 22050 Hz, 2 channels, 0x55 = MPEG Layer-3, Supported

File 2:
File : 258 MB (258 MB), duration: 0:47:04, type: AVI, 1 audio stream(s), quality: 42 %
Video : 239 MB, 711 Kbps, 29.970 fps, 480*360 (4:3), XVID = XVID Mpeg-4, Supported
Audio : 18.77 MB, 55 Kbps, 22050 Hz, 2 channels, 0x55 = MPEG Layer-3, Supported

I've tried using the latest version of NeroVision Express and my Pinnacle Studio 8, but without success. Twelve DVD-R's later and many wasted hours I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

I then paid a visit to www.dvdrhelp.com where I've found some useful information, but I'm still stuck.

I've used TMPGEnc which seems to seperate the video and sound, but then what Instead of just two files I now have four.

Just to add that I have refered to many of the articals contained with the web site but as a newbie I require a little bit more hand holding before I can take my first steps into the world of video/film/movies.

Please help.

Thank you

Ian.

[daamon]

Hi Spoogle,

To my mind, you have two choices:

1. Join the two AVI files, encode to DVD compliant mpeg2, author to DVD (1 track).

2. Leave the AVI files separate, encode them both to DVD compliant mpeg2 files, author both to DVD as 2 separate tracks.

Joining: I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong), that you can use VirtualDub to join the 2 AVI's.

Encoding: I found the following guide...

http://dvd-hq.info/Compression.html

...VERY useful for the settings in TMPGEnc to encode AVI -> MPG2.

I used Average Bitrate = 6,000, Max Bitrate = 8,300, Min Bitrate = 2000, 2 Pass VBR. These settings are a guide, as they depend primarily on film length, but also audio format used (PCM vs MP2 / AC3), subtitles etc.

Authoring: As you're new to this, I'd recommend TMPGEnc DVD Author for the following reasons:

1. I'm new to DVD creation too, used this, and found it pretty easy to pick up.
2. It's fully functional for 30 days, before you have to pay to continue using it.
3. It seems a popular tool / recommendation on this site - Hence loads of resource for help.

Note: mp2 audio is usually only playable on stand-alone DVD's that are of European origin. Get back if you can't use mp2, as there are other ways...

Hope that helps... Good luck.

[Spoogle]

Thank you daamon for your advice.

I suppose, option 2, leaving the AVI files seperate will allow me a certain amount of flexability, just in case of a mishap, however will this affect the finished movie in any way?

Encoding
As for encoding, I read the artical that you linked to before, but it seems VERY technical to me. What with all the technical terms like lossy compression, PCM, AC3, DTS, VBV buffer, MP@ML, 4:2:0, DC component precision etc etc., when all I want is to transfer a movie to DVD.

Authoring
I took a brief look at TMPGEnc DVD Author software and the guide at http://www.polarhome.com:793/~afonic/tmpegencdvd.htm. I've read through this guide time and time again, but it doesn't state what to do with the seperate audio file that's created when using TMPGEnc. Does this mean it's only good for silent movies

I have two files an MPG1 = MPEG 1 (VCD), I thought this was supposed to be MPEG 2 for DVD video, did I miss a setting somwhere , and a MS PCM audio file.

Thank you

Ian

[daamon]

Hi Spoogle,

I suppose, option 2, leaving the AVI files seperate will allow me a certain amount of flexability, just in case of a mishap, however will this affect the finished movie in any way?

If you have two files, it'll mean that you'll have two tracks on the finished DVD disk. In effect, each file will become it's own "movie", with each "movie" appearing independently on the DVD. Like 2 songs on a CD album, rather than one of the combined length.

As for encoding, I read the artical that you linked to before, but it seems VERY technical to me. ...when all I want is to transfer a movie to DVD.

Trust me, once you open TMPGEnc and follow the artical step-by-step it's well written enough to be easy to follow without needing to be an expert (I managed it, and I'm new to all this too!). These settings will allow you to fine tune the encoding to get better quality. I suppose they can be skipped initially, then tackled when you're feeling more confident.

Authoring - I've read through this guide time and time again, but it doesn't state what to do with the seperate audio file that's created when using TMPGEnc. Does this mean it's only good for silent.

When you use TMPGEnc DVD Author, you'll get to a stage where it asks for the source video file. If sound is in the encoded video file (as it is with an mpg2) then the video file will also be used to provide the audio.

If the sound isn't included in the encoded video file (like in an m2v file - same as mpg2, but no sound) then you can browse to select the desired audio file (be it mp2, wav (PCM) or ac3).

I have two files an MPG1 = MPEG 1 (VCD), I thought this was supposed to be MPEG 2 for DVD video, did I miss a setting somewhere , and a MS PCM audio file.

Yes, I think you missed a setting. You want MPG2 for DVD's. Don't use the wizard. Cancel it and click on "Setting" at the bottom and go from there with the guide.

Given the original quality of your source video (42%), I believe that using higher bitrate settings in TMPGEnc to encode will not improve the quality, only take longer to encode. This is outside of my knowledge, so hunt around or post a question. It may even be the case that you'll end up making a VCD. I make DVD's from DV AVI (high quality) and so aren't too familiar with (S)VCD etc.

Hope that helps... Good luck.

[gemmell]

you will need to convert your audio to 48000, you can do this in virtualdub.

[daamon]

you will need to convert your audio to 48000, you can do this in virtualdub.

Good point, gemmell - I hadn't spotted that.

Yes, audio on DVD has to be at 48,000 Hz. Like gemmell says, use VirtualDub - it's pretty easy to figure out.

[Leoslocks]

Use a RW disk for your first test burn.

Check the burned disk on the computer and on a TV(Stand Alnoe DVD player).

All I want to do is convert some sVhs tapes to DVD also. It it was simple or easy, I would be finished now. The more you learn, the easier the task becomes.

[ejm1385]

daamon,

Was reading this post for advice on similar issue. When you say you'll have 2 separate dvd-compliants mpeg-2's to burn as 2 separate tracks, can you do something like this in Studio 8? In other words, can you have 2 separate tracks to put on the one menu?

Thanks.

[Spoogle]

Why does audio have to be at 48000Hz

Strange!?! When I try to convert File 1, see above, using TMPGEnc I get an error message saying the File XXXXX can not open, or unsupported. Any ideas?

Cheers

Ian.

[donpedro]

daamon,

Was reading this post for advice on similar issue. When you say you'll have 2 separate dvd-compliants mpeg-2's to burn as 2 separate tracks, can you do something like this in Studio 8? In other words, can you have 2 separate tracks to put on the one menu?

Thanks.

From my memory ... I would say yes.

[daamon]

daamon,

Was reading this post for advice on similar issue. When you say you'll have 2 separate dvd-compliants mpeg-2's to burn as 2 separate tracks, can you do something like this in Studio 8? In other words, can you have 2 separate tracks to put on the one menu?

Thanks.

Hi ejm1385,

Sorry, I'm not familiar with Pinnacle Studio 8. Hopefully donpedro has helped...

@ Ian / Spoogle,

Why does audio have to be at 48000Hz?

Coz that's the way DVD's are designed I suppose. Just gotta accept it. A bit like cars that are designed to run on petrol can't run on diesel - DVD's need 48,000Hz audio, and don't work on 44,100Hz audio.

Strange!?! When I try to convert File 1, see above, using TMPGEnc I get an error message saying the File XXXXX can not open, or unsupported. Any ideas?

I'm confused... Based on this quote:

I've used TMPGEnc which seems to seperate the video and sound, but then what? Instead of just two files I now have four.

...in your original post I thought you'd already successfully used TMPGEnc to encode both source files? Please clarify.

Leoslocks also has a good point - using re-writeables to test on PC's and stand-alone DVD players (probably more importantly) will save you burning coasters and needlessly wasting cash.

[Spoogle]

daamon

Apologies for the confusion, I thought I had used TMPGEnc to encode the files, but, alas, I hadn't.

I had been experimenting with other files and found it was a couple of them that I had encoded, not the files stated in the post. Guess I should keep better track of my files.

Ian.

[daamon]

Hi Ian,

Guess I should keep better track of my files.

All too easy when you're excitedly experimenting...

Strange!?! When I try to convert File 1, see above, using TMPGEnc I get an error message saying the File XXXXX can not open, or unsupported. Any ideas?

Yep. Top of the list here:

https://www.videohelp.com/tmpgenc.htm#problems

[ZippyP.]

I have two files an MPG1 = MPEG 1 (VCD), I thought this was supposed to be MPEG 2 for DVD video, did I miss a setting somewhere , and a MS PCM audio file.

Yes, I think you missed a setting. You want MPG2 for DVD's. Don't use the wizard. Cancel it and click on "Setting" at the bottom and go from there with the guide.

Here's the acceptable NTSC file types for DVD:
720 x 480 pixels MPEG2
704 x 480 pixels MPEG2
352 x 480 pixels MPEG2 (Same as the CVD Standard)
352 x 240 pixels MPEG2
352 x 240 pixels MPEG1 (Same as the VCD Standard)

Note that 352x240 mpeg1 is acceptable for DVD.