DVD authoring program that won't recompress if i dont want?

[duhmez]

I have some dvd compliant mpegs and corresponding ac3 files. I want to be able to author them onto a dvd disk (compilation of Saturday night live skits I captured)

However I do not want the program to reocmpress the mpeg or ac3 files as they are ready to go. Which program(s) can do this?

I tired one that came with my burner (LG 4020B) but it seems to want to recompress everything)

The ads for all the programs neevr go into enough detail of what they do and how they do it.

These are satellite captures from huffyuv I have compressed to mpeg and of excellent quality, and I refuse to recompress.

thanks!

[Specialist]

Ulead's DVD Workshop product will not re-encode if you buy the AC-3 Version:

http://www.ulead.com/dws/ac3.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Bob W]

I believe NeoDVD Plus won't encode when it does what they call "fast encode" as it does a whole movie in like 15 minutes and the file size comes out the same.

[ktnwin]

Bob W,
I agreed with you only if you capture DV video (using neoDVD) directly to MPEG-2, then load that MPEG-2 in neoDVD to make DVD disc. neoDVD will do a fast encode (which means authoring to me) then burn the disc without re-encoding. I have done this part.

However, if you use TMPGEnc for example to encode your AVI to MPEG-2 (say CBR 9000), I doubt that neoDVD will do a fast encode on it.
Have you tried it ? I have not.

[Darr1960]

Vegas 4.0 + DVD e-mail me DarrSau@Hotmail.com

[D-Ran]

tmpgenc only encodes up to 8000cbr. but if you use it first , then ulead movie factory wont re-encode anything so long as you set the template bitrate setings to the same bitrate you encoded it to.

[Bob W]

Bob W,
I agreed with you only if you capture DV video (using neoDVD) directly to MPEG-2, then load that MPEG-2 in neoDVD to make DVD disc. neoDVD will do a fast encode (which means authoring to me) then burn the disc without re-encoding. I have done this part.

However, if you use TMPGEnc for example to encode your AVI to MPEG-2 (say CBR 9000), I doubt that neoDVD will do a fast encode on it.
Have you tried it ? I have not.

No I haven't tried that however you may be right. I seem to remember capturing from another program and then using NeoDVD and it re-encoded the whole thing.

[ktnwin]

Bob W,
I tried it (encoding with TMPGenc) then import MPEG-2 file (352x480) into neoDVD Plus, it re-encode my MPEG-2 file to 720x480 frame size.
However, if I imports VOBs (from DVD rip, very high bitrates), neoDVD Plus leave only do a fast encode on them.

[Michelle]

DVDLab, which I haven't tried yet, doesn't even have an encoding option. So it definitely won't recompress.

[Michelle]

Ulead's DVD Workshop product will not re-encode if you buy the AC-3 Version:

I don't think you need the AC-3 version. The regular version gives you the option to not recompress compliant files. But I don't think it gives any indication of what it considers to be compliant.

[Specialist]

Michelle,

You are apparently correct.

According to what I've read, one does not need the AC-3 version of DVD Workshop to avoid re-encoding as long as the "do not convert compliant MPEG files" box is checked.

I never tried that when I was using the old version, however, so I don't have first hand experience.

I'm using the AC-3 version now.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Craig Tucker]

Yes this is correct you do not need the ac3 version, the non ac3 version will author without reencoding. I know this as this is what I use to author my DVD's. You can also have an ac3 soundtrack with the non ac3 version od DVD workshop. Use tmpgenc to mux the m2v video file with the ac3 audio file and workshop will accept the resulting mpeg file and keep the ac3 audio.

[nerdboy69]

- DVD Maestro (only you need to buy 2nd hand now)
- Scenarist (only you need to mortgage your house and get a degree)
- DVD Workshop (only you need to multiplex first as described above)
- DVD Lab : cheap and functional by the look of it, but I have not tried.
- Others (?)

[pijetro]

Believe it or not, SonicMyDVD (although they claim it's not supported), and Ulead MovieFactory2 (complains the first time, but not the second).
Sonic MyDVD can't have a video stream above 8 mbits/second, or it'll reencode....
Ulead MovieFactory2 has a settings box, (the one with the checkmark), that let's you pick a higher video bitrate then the original .mpg, so that it won't need to reencode (that's the trick)...If you use .mp2 audio, then I found the audio bitrate setting had to be brought down to the minimum setting, to allow for the video to be set for max. bitrate...

As long as the .ac3 is merged with your .m2v, these proggies should work...They did for me..

Good luck!!!!!!

[spidey]

assuming your source clips are to spec's, any of the upper SOnic stuff would be good.

I use Sonic DVD Producer v3.1.1 - it's an authorer not an encoder.

[unloopme]

Does anyone know if DVDit would also just author and not encode???

[cmangeot]

I use DVD-Lab that takes AC3 up to 6 channels, much cheaper than ULead AC3 Pack (and down converts to 2 channels).

[Specialist]

cmangeot,

Ulead DVD WORKSHOP - with or without AC-3 - ACCEPTS AC-3 5.1 6 channel sound *and* DOES NOT DOWN CONVERT IT.

To preserve the 6 channel sound, one simply needs to check the box during the final burning stage that says 'DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILE.'

By the way, there's a new book about how to use Ulead DVD WORKSHOP:

http://www.ulead.com/partner/learntool/dwsbook/runme.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[cmangeot]

Let me clarify. I own DVD Workshop 1.3 (with AC3 pack). I spent all of last week-end to do my homework.
If you provide DVDWS with an mpeg-2 (video only) and add an AC3 5.1 replacement sound, then, even with 'do not convert compliant files' , the 5.1 AC3 is considered not compliant, and during step 1/4 DVDWS converts to 2 channels AC3 (I would expect DVDWS to do muxing only).
If you are able to keep 5.1 AC3 could you please document clearly what you are doing, that I am not doing.

[Specialist]

The encode/re-encode logic of Ulead DVD Workshop is explained in a review of Ulead MEDIASTUDIO PRO 7.0 located here:

http://www.matroxusers.com/mreviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and then choose the SMART RENDER IN DEPTH heading.

Then read the part about DVD WORKSHOP.

Very interesting reading.

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Michelle]

I read this explanation of DVDWS rendering logic before and it seemed too complicated. Now, after reading it again, it seems fairly simple since I use multiplexed system VBR files.

[cmangeot]

I carefully read the article. It describes AC3 in a generic manner, without any reference to 5.1 channels. It also talks about 192Kb AC3 which, as a matter of fact, is the hardcoded default in DVDWS (commercial DVDs are at 448Kb). I already spent a hell of a time on this issue (without burning DVDs). At the end, IfoEdit would always show 2 channels AC3.
It just took me one hour with DVD-Lab (that I am going to use for this specific application), for the rest I still use DVDWS.

[unloopme]

duhmez: These are satellite captures from huffyuv I have compressed to mpeg and of excellent quality, and I refuse to recompress.

I'm in a similiar situation as you. I'm VERY interested in what software you're using to capture, and what settings. I want to do the exact same thing as you're doing, just music videos instead of SNL skits.
I've been capturing straight to MPEG2(720x480)CBR 6000,PCM audio at 48000khz 16bit w/Ulead VideoStudio 7, and they look and sound pretty damn good. I want to burn straigh to DVD with a simple, decent looking menu to choose a video. I've been reading this forum plenty, but I feel like I'm spinning my wheels.

[classfour]

DVD Lab ver 1.1 - doesn't re-encode (only re-multiplexes) and has many menu choices that DVD MF doesn't. For the price ($79) it kicks DVDMF2's behind. BTW: I've tried (and purchased) DVDit, MyDVD, Ulead DVDMF 1.2 and DVDMF 2.0, NeoDVD Plus 4.0 and trialed Ulead's DVD Workshop in a futile attempt to find a program that didn't require hours re-encoding video (recorded on my E20) to meet it's own definition of "compliant". The only other program that I've used (in the less than $500 market) that functions like DVDLab is TMPGenc DVD Author - which I liked very much, but the ability to auto-select chapter points (in the right places) and include professional looking motion-menus clinched it for me: I bought DVD Lab 1.1 the second day it was available, and would recommend it to any home user who is looking for a "professional" look without paying 300 bucks for it.

[Specialist]

No Ulead product will re-encode if the DO NOT CONVERT COMPLIANT FILE check box is ticked.

So it's true that you have to know how to use the software properly to get the best results.

Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 comparison chart:

http://www.ulead.com/dmf/compare3.htm

Ulead's price for the download is only $44.95.

If you want pro features, then DVD WORKSHOP is offers the following:

http://www.ulead.com/dws/compare.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[steptoe]

Ret looking at TMPGenc DVD Author, as I got fed up of ULead MF2 insisting on re-encoding, even when I had the don't encode compliant MPEG set

I thin,, like somebody suggested, if the bitrate is not set to exactly the same as the format it was created with, then MF2 will re-encode to the bitrate that is set in the MPEG settings menu

This is what you have to change to the settings that your movie was encoded with to stop this happening

Have a look at TMPGenc DVD Author, the only thing it wanted to re-encode once was a non-compliant audio stream, but that was a one off, once I figured out what I did differently from last time, but you will need to use other software to burn the DVD as it won't do this

All it does is author the DVD, it will not burn anything, but I prefer it over MF2, even though the menu creation is not as pretty to use, as it insists on having at least 1 chapter, if you have more than one MPEG per DVD, which I can't figure out how to disable chapter creation

If you are only putting one movie/episode per DVD, then its a doddle to use, and works everytime, without forced re-encoding

[Specialist]

Ulead DVD MovieFactory 2 will not re-encode IF the 'do not convert compliant file' box is checked and IF ones MPEG source files all have identical VBR max bitrates.

If those max bitrates vary, then - yes - re-encoding will occur.

By the way, there are many helpful tutorials for DVD MovieFactory 2 located here:

http://www.ulead.com/learning/dmf.htm

Jerry Jones
http://www.jonesgroup.net

[pijetro]

I apologize for my comments on Sonic MyDvd and MF2 accepting .ac3 streams within the .mpg files.

Although these proggies do accept these streams, the finished video comes out very choppy on the standalones. Anybody know a fix around this

Using AC3 machine with besweet to convert to .ac3 . Using both Tmpgenc and BBmpeg to mux. In all cases, video turns out to be jumpy (and it's not the field order)....

Thanxxxxxxxx

[Scarymon]

I've used DVD Lab for one project and it worked perfectly. I had a DVD mpeg that I imported into into it, and used it to add menus, etc. It also allowed me to import chapter points from a previously burned project that didn't work because the audio and video was out of sync. I used Chapter Xtractor to created a text file and DVD Lab has a chapter import function built in.

Awesome considering I've remade this project 5 times with 3 different pieces of software and this is the first time it came out the way I had planned with out errors.

[FulciLives]

I apologize for my comments on Sonic MyDvd and MF2 accepting .ac3 streams within the .mpg files.

Although these proggies do accept these streams, the finished video comes out very choppy on the standalones. Anybody know a fix around this

Using AC3 machine with besweet to convert to .ac3 . Using both Tmpgenc and BBmpeg to mux. In all cases, video turns out to be jumpy (and it's not the field order)....

Thanxxxxxxxx

Some DVD players do not like 2.0 AC-3 tracks created with BeSweet. Almost all Pioneer models are like this. A friend of mine has a 2 - 3 year old Samsung (don't know the model number) that is the same way. These players seem to do fine with a 5.1 AC-3 from BeSweet but not a 2.0 AC-3 file.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
The only work-around is NOT to use BeSweet. Either use another AC-3 encoder (not many to pick from unless you bought an expensive authoring program that includes AC-3 encoding) or just use either LPCM or MP2 sound.

*** EDIT ***
In other words ... the problem might be with how you are creating your AC-3 track and it being incompatible with your stand alone DVD player VS the problem being MF2 (which I have used without problems with AC-3 tracks muxed into the mpeg file).