Adding chapter points

[vwcrusher]

I am currently using Screenblast Movie Studio 3.0 to edit captured videos. I would like to add chapter points, but the included MyDVD apparently can't do this unless its used to capture!!

Is there another way to add chapters? and then burn?

Thanks

[sven_pether]

Had the same problem. MyDVD 4.5 came with my software, it could not add any chapter points. The NEW version of MyDVD 5.0 deluxe can add chapter points and convert to Dolby Digital. Great price for these functions. I recommend it strongly.

Pether

[vwcrusher]

Thanks for the tip, pether.

Sounds (no pun) like a good solution to me.
How intuitive is it to use?

Allen

[bugster]

Use a decent authoring Package.

Ones to lookout for (all with free trials)

DVD-lab
TmpGenc DVD author
Ulead DVD workshop.

[vwcrusher]

Thanks...I have heard very good thing about TmpGenc DVD author.

Ok, being a newbie, I capture, edit using MF 3.0, then add chapter points using....say TmpGenc DVD author, what is next other then burning?

What should I use to burn....MyDVD?

thanks

[bugster]

Ok, being a newbie, I capture, edit using MF 3.0

By MF 3.0 do you mean Ulead MoviFactory?

If so, I thought that could author and Burn DVD's (including adding chapter points.

Anyway, TmpGenc DVD author has a burning engine, so Burn with that if you use that.

[noki]

TmpGenc DVD author is great for chapter points and menus (especially if you are compiling more than one movie on a dvdr). have taken childrens' videos which are quite short and burned 2 to 3 of them on one dvdr with menus and scene selections within each title. BTW great program for newbies; extremely easy.

[vwcrusher]

Oh, I meant Movie Studio (Screenblast), not movie factory...sorry.

But it sounds like you answered my question anyway....all else I really need is TmpGenc DVD author for adding chapter points and then burning.

Yes?

Thanks

[bugster]

Oh, I meant Movie Studio (Screenblast), not movie factory...sorry.

But it sounds like you answered my question anyway....all else I really need is TmpGenc DVD author for adding chapter points and then burning.

Yes?

Thanks

Yes.

[trhouse]

Tmpgenc Author is a very good program. That said, it cannot transcode other audio formats to Dolby Digital ( ac3 ). The cost of the upgrade to MyDVD 5.0 Deluxe if you have an earlier version is about $40 vs $70 for Author. The editor in MyDVD 5.0 is what is lacking. Any edit including a trim will cause it to re-encode the entire video at 8 Mb/s CBR. For that Tmpgenc ( the encoder ) which is freeware, can be used. It has a section called MPEG Tools which allows cuts and merges. The Tmpgenc file will not be re-encoded by MyDVD which can be used for chapters and burning. The MPEG Tools portion of Tmpgenc still works even after the 30 day trial expiration.

Lordsmurf has this use of Tmpgenc written up with illustrations elsewhere on this site.

[vwcrusher]

trhouse,

I wish I knew what exactly you are explaining......I am pretty new to this.

Right now I am editing using Movie Studio, which MyDVD 4.5 came with.
If I update to 5.0 I would be able to add chapters and burn to DVD.

You seem to be stating that if I wanted to edit using MyDVD 5.0, I could have a problem, but I am using Movie Studio to edit......am I missing something? I do not know what a trim is.

After I add chapters, won't MyDVD just burn it, or do I have to do something first (re encode?)?

[trhouse]

You are correct. I meant to add the information about the MyDVD 5.0 Deluxe editor for those who do not have any other editor. Trim just means removing a little at the end or beginning of a capture which might be extraneous.

If you use your other application to edit, then import the file into MyDVD 5.0 for adding chapter points and burning, you will be fine.

The main reason to transcode audio to AC3 is either AC3 or PCM is a required soundtrack for dvd compliance. AC3 generates files about 1/8th the size of PCM however. Many if not most dvd players can play other audio like mpeg1, layer2 as well.

[vwcrusher]

Ok, I got it. Thanks.

So it seems that I have a choice to make:

1) either purchase the mydvd upgrade to 5 deluxe, or
2) purchase Tmpgen author and plus and dump mydvd altogether

The first option is less expensive as you pointed out.
From a quality and ease of use perspective is there any advantage of one over the other?

[trhouse]

It gets subjective at this point. Author does more things well and I would go with it if AC3 encoding is not important. I happen to like the standard menus in MyDVD more but if necessary they could be recreated in Author. One other thing which is not well known is that MyDVD will allow you to import AC3 into the program only if it is from a consumer AC3 encoder otherwise it will not. It will transcode other audio to PCM or AC3. There is no choice but those since it tries to adhere to the dvd standard.

One other program that is very nice and can do what you are looking for at a modest cost is Ulead MovieFactory 2. I believe it is about $44. It can capture, add chapter points, and burn. I used it before MyDVD because older versions of MyDVD would only allow PCM audio which is big. MovieFactory 2 could not transcode to AC3 but it would allow burning to mpeg1, layer2 audio ( Author does too ) which is also compact.

All these programs, Sonic MyDVD 5.0 Deluxe, Tmpgenc Author, and Ulead MovieFactory 2 are available as trialware.