Is Ulead DVD Workshop re-encoding or not??

[bombart]

Hey Guys. It's been a while since I touched video editing so I feel like I'm starting anew here. Anyways, here's the deal.

I'm using Adobe Premiere Pro to capture via firewire from MiniDV. I edit the movie and export using premiere's built in mainconcept encoder (File->Export->Adobe Mpeg Encoder) These are my settings for the export.

Video Summary:
Codec: MainConcept MPEG Video
Quality: 5.00 (high quality)
TV Standard: NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Frame Rate: 29.97 fps drop frame
Program Sequence: Interlaced
Field Order: Lower
Bitrate Encoding: CBR
Bitrate (Mbps): 8.0000 (high quality)
M Frames: 3
N Frames: 15

Audio Summary:
Codec: SurCode for Dolby Digital
Audio Coding Mode: 2/0 (L, R - Stereo)
Sampling Rate: 48 kHz
Data Rate (kb/s): 192
Bitstream Mode: Complete Main (CM)
Dialog Normalization:
Dynamic Compression Preset: Film Standard
Audio Production Information: Off
Channel Bandwidth Lowpass Filter: On
RF Pre-Emphasis Filter: Off
DC Filter: On
Dolby Surround Mode: Off
Deemphasis: Off
Extended Bitstream Information: Off

Multiplexer Summary:
Multiplexing Type: DVD



Now, I'm using Ulead dvd workshop 1.3 AC3 powerpack to author. I import this mpg file (it's like 4.27GB... 1h:12m approx). I add chapter points... since it's already edited, I've done no cutting or anything of that sort. Simply add the chapter points and use the menu wizard to make the menus for me. My menus are simple, wizard based(no motion, nothing)

I've already been to this site
http://www.matroxusers.com/mreviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6&page=6
very informative

So I follow the rules set out there. I go into the Disc Template manager and create the following template.

In the Compression tab:
Quality=70
Video Data Rate=Constant 8000 kbps
Audio format = AC-3 audio
Audio type = 2/0(L,R) (greyed out)
Audio Frequency = 48000 Hz (greyed out)
Audio bi rate = 192 kbps

I now "Make Disc" and select this template.
I "create DVD Directory"
Check "Do not convert compliant file(g)"
Check both audio and video converted files to be added to library.

Now, once I hit start it takes a few seconds to do the first 3 steps.
Then, in [step 4/4] : Compiling media & navigation data
Detailed Progress: Video/Audio Multiplexing it takes like 9-10 minutes.
It then finalizes the VOB in less than a min. The whole process takes like 11 mins.

I have a P4 2.4GHz, 512MB ram, 120GB 7200RPM 8MB cache WD drive.

IS IT SUPPOSED TO TAKE THIS LONG ON THE 4TH STEP?? I recalled that once I got this "do not convert compliant files" things the last time around, it took no time. but this was a WHILE ago and I'm not sure of that at all...

So, is Ulead re-encoding? If it is, what the hell can I do now to stop it... if not, is it supposed to take this long?

Cheers All. Thanks in advance.

Bt.

[Baldrick]

It doesn't reencode(11 minutes to encode an one hour video...no). For faster authoring and multiplexing try to set the output/temp folder to an other harddrive than your source video.

[bombart]

Thanks Baldrick. Good to know. I don't really care that much about the 11 mins. It the re-encoding part that I care aboout. The last time it was re-encoding my files, I didn't like the finished product at all. This time around, the source is so bad, I don't even know if I could tell the difference.

Thanks for your prompt response.

Cheers.

Bt.