Need help with authoring DVD from MPEG2 Elementary Stream

[slicemaster101]

Well,
I am new to this DVD authoring stuff and I figured that some of you guys could give me a hand. Well like I stated in the topic I have an AC3 audio file and a DVD compliant MPEG2 Elementary Stream video file. I would like to author a DVD with menus and chapters. The thing is that I don’t know a dam thing about it. I don’t know what software to use or get money really isn’t an issue and I want an easy way to make basic menus (possibly moving) and scene selection with the little thumbnails (possibly moving). Is there any one tool that will make this easy on me? How do I do chapters? And to I need to multiplex the AC3 into the video? Please help. The most important things right now are getting the video file chaptered and getting a simple solution for DVD menuing.

P.S. I have heard DVD-lab is good

P.S.S. I also need to know how much video and audio I actually can fit on a 4.7GB DVD-R/RW. Is it like VCDs where the size of the actual file does not matter and only the runtime of the film matters or is DVD different and solely based on space? Note: one of my MPEG2 ES video (video only) is like 4.73GB (131min.) would this fit on one disk or will I have to re-encode my AVI so that the MPEG2 is smaller?

Thanks,
Slice

[SaSi]

For what you specify, the best thing to look for is Adobe Encore. One of the basic factors that separate DVD Authoring tools into "amateur" and "professional" is the use of AC3 audio. Not all programs allow this.

[andkiich]

DVD-Lab can handle AC-3 audio, so you are good to go there.

As far as how much you can fit on a disk, it's based on file size, but there is a catch. The size of the file is based on bitrate used and length of the video. A DVDR can hold anywhere from 0 to ~6 hrs of video, depending on the bitrate. Just remember that the lower the bitrate, the lower the quality of the end result.

Read up on some of the guides and articles and do a forum search. There is a wealth of information there and a lot that would be impossible to cover here given space considerations.

If you want to try and get a feel for what I'm talking about, go to the TOOLS section to the left and run the Java based bitrate calculator hosted on this site. It tells you based on the length of the video and the room you have on the disc, what the average bitrate should be.

Check back in when you have other specific questions.

[SaSi]

DVD-Lab can handle AC-3 audio, so you are good to go there.

I stand corrected. I visited the DVD-Lab homepage and the feature table clearly says it can handle AC3 and DTS audio. Perhaps the initial beta versions didn't or I failed to notice it.

So, if 1 audio track is good enough for you and you don't need subtitles, then DVD-Lab is the perfect tool. It's quite easy to master, fast and looks nice.

[sfxwe]

Please don't take this wrong, I am fairly new to alot of this stuff, and GOD knows I have alot of questions and alot to learn. I normally don't post replys of this nature BUT, I just kinda feel like I have too this time.

1st this site has got to be a godsend, with hours and hours of informational reading. You can learn alot from this site with just a little time and effort! On the left side of this page there are links to a mess of articals and information, including guides and FAQs. They will answer every question you have asked!

So I must ask this question have you even read a guide or browsed this site at all?

Example on the left towards the top there is a link named DVDR here is the addy:

https://www.videohelp.com/dvd

That answers one of your questions with almost no effort. Dude at least try to help yourself......my lord .

PS. Also try a forum search, that will help alot to!!!

[Skynet107]

Adobe Encore is very nice but remember it is $600+ dollars. DVD-Lab is $79.00 or less. DVD-Lab does AC3 audio properly but MAKE SURE you install the latest beta update. I had nothing but problems with AC3 audio until I installed the latest beta patch.