Dumb question about "multi-VTS"

[vcddude]

Sorry for the dumb-ass question, but I see lots of discussion how various authoring apps can or cannot handle "multi-VTS." What exactly does this mean?

I have tried both TMPGEnc DVD Author and DVD-Lab, and like various aspects of each. People say DVD-Lab can only handle a single VTS. Can someone explain what this means? Does this mean you can only import a single M2V into DVD-Lab? I don't understand this because DVD-Lab allows you to add additional "Movies" in the GUI by right-clicking "Movies" in the Project window. What am I missing here?


vcddude

[maa]

Yes - a bit confusing I know.

If you lookin explorer at a DVD you'll usually see
VTS_01_0.IFO
VTS_01_1.VOB
VTS_01_2.VOB
etc.
VTS_02_0.IFO
VTS_02_1.VOB
VTS_03_0.IFO
VTS_03_1.VOB

Here VTS_01 is ONE VTS and VTS_02 is the next.
Currently DVD Lab only produces one VTS and the "movies" are realy seperate "Program Chains" (PGCs) within this. The dissadvantage is that the .IFO - being the information file - can only contain ONE description of the contents.
If you have assets from different sources with various audio types then you get trouble.
Its actually better to put the "movies" in seperate VTS instead of seperate PGCs so that one could have say Dolby 2 channel, the next Dolby 5.1 and the next DTS for instance.

[vcddude]

Oh cool I think I understand now. Since I have no intention of mixing clips with different sound formats (AC3 for me always) I shouldn't run into any issues with DVD-Lab. I just bought DVD-Lab - it's great!

vcddude

[lordsmurf]

The best use of this feature is ability to mix MPEG1 and MPEG2 and to mix different aspect ratios and resolutions.

Each VTS can only handle on MPEG type, res and aspect.

Many authoring apps are 1-VTS setups. Limits your video ability.

[Viper10000]

vcddude,

lordsmurf & maa are correct. The big advantage of multiple VTS is that you can mix and match any DVD-compliant resolution (or different audio) in one DVD.

For example, if you have a VCD clip (352x240 resolution) clip, a half-DVD clip (352x480), a full DVD clip (720x480 or 702x480), and you want to put all 3 clips in one DVD, then TMPGEnc DVDAuthor will create 3 different VTS (as 3 different tracks) while DVDLab can't. But if you don't care for this feature, then you should be happy with your purchase of DVDLab.

[maa]

DVD Lab is going Multiple VTS in a comming version ....