newbie trying to burn first dvd, can anyone help me?

[bluto]

I've been trying to burn a bunch of files to dvd for a few weeks, and have had no success. The files are Centropy (which I believe is SVCD not sure) and I've been told that I need to convert it to mpeg2 so I can burn it through Nero. The problem is I have little to no clue of what I'm doing.
What do I need to do this? Am I even on the right track?

[poopyhead]

IF you have SVCD files, then there are 2 things you can do

1) convert the SVCD MPEG-2 to DVD compliant MPEG-2 and author to DVD.

http://ness888.users.btopenworld.com/fromvcd2dvd.htm

https://www.videohelp.com/mpeg2tovcd.htm

https://www.videohelp.com/tmpgencdvd.htm

or

2) you can burn the SVCD MPEG-2 on the DVD without converting...however, you will be making a non-standard, compliant xDVD, which has lower compatiblity than standard DVD created in (1)

https://www.videohelp.com/svcddvdr.htm

[bluto]

I tried it with vcdgear and got a window that says it can't locate a mpeg stream.

can I still use vcdgear? if so how?

[poopyhead]

so you're going with method (1)???

vcdgear is mainly to extract the .mpg from (S)VCD discs....

since you didn't burn your .mpgs as SVCD discs...you can skip the vcdgear part.

[bluto]

should I try the VCD header trick with TMPGEnc. ?

[poopyhead]

should I try the VCD header trick with TMPGEnc. ?

sorry...i'm very confused on what you're trying to do?

are you trying to burn those files onto a SVCD CD-R or onto a DVD?

----------------

the VCD header trick is for CD-R. basically, for DVD players that don't normally play SVCDs, you can "trick" them into playing SVCDs by replacing the SVCD MPEG-2 header with VCD MPEG-1 header. technically, the DVD players will think that they're playing a regular VCD MPEG-1 because of the VCD MPEG-1 headers....however, the actual file is still a SVCD MPEG-2. this works on some DVD players.

[bluto]

I'd like to burn everything onto DVD (as long as it can play on my DVD player). I downloaded TMPGEnc., because it appears that I'm going to need it. Am I on the right track? If so, as soon as I get into TMPGEnc. I get confused.

[poopyhead]

just follow the first link i gave you:

http://ness888.users.btopenworld.com/fromvcd2dvd.htm

skip the first part with vcdgear

start from "STEP 2: Merging the Mpegs"

howver, you only need this step if your movie is split into separate files...

[bluto]

I ran my files through step two. The only problem I have is that when I edit the files together the complete stream chops off 5- 7 minutes of the first video file. I went through to re edit using the same original files (and a different name) and can't seem to open the new file. Any ideas why?

[poopyhead]

hey,

after you add your files in the "merge & cut" window, don't edit them...just join them directly...no need to specify the beginning and end...

this way, tmpgenc should join all parts of all the files together...so, don't bother opening up the edit window

---------

btw, at the top of the "merge & cut" window, there's is a drop-down menu called "TYPE"....this is where you select what type of .mpg files you have...this is very crucial you select the right one...

you said you have SVCD??? you sure?? if this is true, select "MPEG 2: Super Video CD (VBR)"

[bluto]

I just tried that, and while I was watching the progress I noticed that it still cut the first file short. Do you think there might be something wrong with the end of the first file? Do I need another source file maybe?

[bluto]

Okay I think I got past step 2 okay.
But on step 3 do I choose NTSC or PAL.
I think it's NTSC (but notsure) so I'll try it, I'm just asking so I can know for sure.

[poopyhead]

Do you think there might be something wrong with the end of the first file?

well...try watching the ending for yourself and see if there are problems.

But on step 3 do I choose NTSC or PAL.

well...you're gonna watch the movie on NTSC or PAL TV?

[bluto]

I used NTSC because I live in the U.S. I think that worked fine but now I can't load my file through step 4

[bluto]

When I try to access the stream file a window comes up that says
Can't load "sfmpgdec.dll"

I figured that might help

[poopyhead]

do you already have the DVD video files created???

check out other DVD authoring guides here: https://www.videohelp.com/author

[bluto]

Actually I ran it through step 3 and I thought it worked. At first I played it on Quicktime and it seemed fine, but now it will only play on my media guide. Before I go any further I just want to make sure that I've done it right so far. Does this sound right to you?

[poopyhead]

you made a DVD compliant MPEG-2, right??? (.mpg extension??)

[dcsos]

Poopyhead you've got patience!

But I doubt he has an dvd compliant MPEG file
here's why

At first I played it on Quicktime and it seemed fine

Unless he (newbie and all) has QUICKTIME PRO, he can't play MPEG-2 in Quicktime.

Now he say it only plays in media guide

WHAT THE #UCK is Media Guide...do you mean Windows Media Player?

Pleas try TMPG again and pay attention to using the MPEG-2 template..
and selecting DVD-NTSC compliant (assuming you're a YANK or a NIP)
a warning that the MPEG-2 encoding capaility of TMPG will only last a MONTH should appear at some point.

GOOD LUCK

[bluto]

Yes, but I'm confused about an authoring program. where could I find a suitable authoring program. I'm a beginner so the less intricate the better.

[dcsos]

I'm going to suggest 2
1. TMPGenc DVD authoring
2. DVDLAB DVD Authoring

neither is as easy as SAY, Ulead DVD Workshop
but the small about of time it will take to figgure out either of these aplications will allow you to outperform shitty limited CONSUMER aplications very quickly

THESE 2 can handle any complexity you throw at 'em..
while a SIMPLE PROJECT is so much more PERSONALLY stamped with either of the above

[bluto]

okay I'm sorry I didn't see the last post

I'm running it through TMPG again, it says MPEG -2 SuperVideoCD(VBR)
I can't choose DVD -NTSC yet,can I? That's covered in the next step right?

[dcsos]

YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST CHOOSE THE LATTER FIRST

that is, skip over that SVCD setting to NTSC DVD directly

[poopyhead]

@dcsos,



no really :P ...i couldn't really understand his earlier post about quicktime..and i assumed later on he was referring to media player....

so just making sure he might actually have the correct file.

btw..i kinda felt obligated to guide him through since i referred him to the guide.....

-------------------

@bluto,

once you make your DVD compliant MPEG-2 (.mpg extension), you can author it to DVD.

read these guides and c which one is easiest and good for you:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/userguides/139093.php

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/userguides/78179.php

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/userguides/120013.php

[bluto]

you mean with TMPG, on the opening window choose DVD-NTSC, click out
of that window, set everything up and make sure it's MPEG2-Super-VideoCD(VBR) and Run. Right?

Sorry about the media player/guide

I think the DVD-NTSC (assuming I'm finally on the right track) was probably my problem.

[poopyhead]

you mean with TMPG, on the opening window choose DVD-NTSC, click out
of that window, set everything up and make sure it's MPEG2-Super-VideoCD(VBR) and Run.

you're NOT making a SuperVideoCD...you ARE making a DVD....

so, make sure you choose the DVD-NTSC template..and not any VideoCD template whatsoever.

if anywhere it says any kind of VideoCD, get rid of it...you want DVD

[poopyhead]

ok....i think you're getting a little bit confused....

you still have the original SVCD files right? you wanna convert SVCD->DVD, right?

if you have those files, try going through this guide..it might be easier for you...

https://www.videohelp.com/mpeg2tovcd.htm

make sure in tmpgenc, choose these:

if making DVD load
DVD (PAL) if the video type is PAL
DVD (NTSC) if the video type is NTSC
DVD (NTSC) if the video type is FILM and also load the unlock template and change under Settings->Video->Frame rate to 23,967 and then the Encode mode to 3:2 pulldown when playback.

[bluto]

So I should choose "MPEG2 Program (VBR)" and definitaly not "MPEG2 Super Video CD"?

[poopyhead]

So I should choose "MPEG2 Program (VBR)" and definitaly not "MPEG2 Super Video CD"?

well...try reading over the latest guide for you...it is really clear about loading everything in tmpgenc...

but, you don't see a DVD NTSC template anywhere??

[bluto]

When I open TMPG a window that is headed "Project Wizard (1/5)" opens
Underneath it is a list of
Video-CDs
-NTSC,NTSC Film,PAL
Super Video-CD
-NTSC,NTSC Film,PAL

and
DVD
-NTSC
-NTSC (LOw resolution)
NTSC (16:9)
PAL
PAL (Low REsolution)
PAL (16:9)

I guess I'm supposed to choose DVD- NTSC?
In that first link you gave me it told me to click out of the first window


So when I finally get out of that I click on File-MPEG Tools, and the MPEG Tools window pops up.
I choose MPEG2 PRogram (VBR) (not MPEG2 super video CD(VBR))
Find my files, edit if need be( which I have been editing )
And click on Run.

This is how I understand it so far. I'm sure there's a step or two where I'm messing this up, but I don't know what it is