Just want to make a DVD...

[Tolwyn]

I truly apologize if I've upset anyone.
As with most stressed individuals, haste supercedes manners. I'm not above the occasional "forum idiot" and I understand that.

So, to all that have replied, I truly apologize for coming across in a poor light in my haste and self-involved frustration at my endeavor.

I wouldn't come here if I didn't think that there were (thousands) of individuals smarter than I in this.

So, if you will forgive me my haste and attitude, I'd really appreciate it.

[fritzi93]

Wow, you need more patience! No kidding, I lurked here for almost two years before my first post, back when it was VCDhelp. I learn something new every day, but I can't begin to match the skill and knowledge many here have. Most definitely it ain't easy, but it's a fascinating hobby. Right now you're frustrated, but I hope you keep at it. The guides really are your best bet.

[indolikaa]

EDIT: Never mind. You're not worth the yellow card.

[tekkieman]

Then the best advice I could give you...(excuse me while I adjust my skirt) is that when you are 60 percent done, stop, ask a specific question about a specific process, or a specific tool, and then perhaps one of the ladies may be inclined to help.

[Tolwyn]

I thought I did.

[Tolwyn]

Believe me. I completely understand that MY panties are in a bunch waaaay more than anyone in this thread. Like I said, I'm stressed as all hell today.

[FulciLives]

I thought I did.

Surely you can't even to begin to imagine that your questions are specific enough to really be answered by a mere post.

We could write multi-page posts that might help you make your mind up ... but we aren't bots ... we are real people. In short we don't have time for all that.

You need to read some guides my friend. They were developed to help people out when only a very long or very detailed write-up is the true answer.

Or read a lot of threads ... you pick up information that way.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Tolwyn]

My problem is that I HAVE read all the guides.
And then like 2 months go 'round and I am behind as all hell in the software.

It's just frustrating to me personally.

[Shocker Milwaukee]

Tolwyn, I think you are a perfect candidate for Sonic My DVD.

[Tolwyn]

At this point, I think I'm a good candidate for an ETCH A SKETCH!!!!

ROFL

[FulciLives]

My problem is that I HAVE read all the guides.
And then like 2 months go 'round and I am behind as all hell in the software.

It's just frustrating to me personally.

Well exactly what step are you at?

You have a Canopus ADVC-100 which is an EXCELLENT capturing device.

You have ScenalyzerLive which is probably the best capture application for the Canopus ADVC-100

So are you comfortable with your capture abilities to date?

Are you stuck at capturing or in post-processing and if you are past capturing but now sure what else to do ... well how far along in the process are you and what have you done and where are you stuck at?

Let's get nitty gritty specific here and perhaps we can offer some real help.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[indolikaa]

Tolwyn,

Sonic's MyDVD is a basic authoring program that can do what most people want in a home-movie transfer. It's not fancy, but it gets the job done, and the user interface is pretty straightforward.

Beyond that, you have a set of tools that are a myriad of complexities. Yes, they can be mastered and shaved-down to a process that is streamlined and efficient. But to do that, you have to post what you've done step-by-step. There are a ton of newbies that come here and do just that. It's a pain in the ass, but it's easier to troubleshoot the problems when we have a 'Road Map' of your situation.

The process isn't that tricky, but it can be done so many different ways that it's not practical to attack the problem in a 'One Size Fits All' mindset.

You've got ScenalizerLive and VirtualDub. That will get you to the encoding stage without any problems, and it's pretty easy. Frameserving is straightforward, but TMPGEnc is in a world of its own. We can break down the process, but once within those processes, you're better off using the guides one at a time.

And that maybe your problem. Think chunks, don't think the big box those chunks sit in. One function at a time.

[indolikaa]

How far have you gotten in the start to finish process?

[Tolwyn]

I have clips from Scenalyzer.
I would like to do some nice wipes, some BMP or TGA with alpha channel titles "text on video" for this and that.

Each completed "scene" is/would be a 2nd generation DV codec "clip." I guess/imagine that each of these would be a chapter.

Which I can take each one into Virtualdub; extract the audio to normalize and center-wave; then frameserve out to TMPEnc for "DVD Prepping."

Not quite sure what to do with the audio. ? I know it must be 48000Hz; stereo PCM (can be Mp2, right? Guess that part doesnt' matter much).

Not sure how to make the menu system for a DVD; don't need "fancy" moving backgrounds (I can get to that later).

Just something "intermediately attractive."
That's about where I'm at.

I also need to refresh my feeble brain on aspect. 720x520 or so is 4:3 for television? I'd have to frameserve it from virtual dub if I need to do any padding/cropping.

I'm really confused on aspect ratios. It's my WEAKEST part of all of this. 720 is always the width... but it's really a mind block for me.

[indolikaa]

OK.

Your imported DV streams should be 720x480 video with 48 kHz, 16-bit PCM audio. That's the standard, and you can confirm that in VirtualDub by loading the file and selecting 'File Information...' from the File menu.

Your next step is to edit your material. You need a program where you can import your .avi files so you can do your wipes and fades and such. I am of no help in this department because I do it so rarely it's embarrasing. So this is where you're probably going to need the most advice.

This is where we need someone to jump in and take it. Depending on how Ulead handles the files may determine how they are processed and encoded from there...

(Don't sweat aspect ratios. That's an easy situation to deal with during encoding since your source material is DV. As for audio, your DVD player might accept an MP2 stream, but it's not NTSC standard: PCM and AC3 are. I'd avoid PCM for size reasons I'm sure you're quite familiar with. )

[FulciLives]

You should be able to do the type of editing and effects you talk about with Ulead VideoStudio of which you already have.

However like Indolikaa that type of editing (specifically adding effects) is something I'm not really experienced with that much.

I'm sure we have guides on using that program so I would look them up. As to when you are done please be aware that you might be able to frameserve straight from Ulead VideoStudio to your MPEG encoder (such as TMPGEnc Plus).

If not then you will have to save a file with your "work" (the edits and effects) then open that up in your encoder.

DV AVI is a really easy format to work with in terms of editing including not just cutting and rearranging but also merging etc.

So you are on a good path so far

Just that I can't offer any more specific help until you are ready for your next step ...

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[SatStorm]

@Tolwyn:

Step one: You sell all your video related PC equipment
Step two: With the money you gain, you buy a cheap DVD Standalone recorder
Step three: You hook your DVD Standalone to your VCR.
Step four: You hit "play" on your VCR and "record" to your DVD standalone recorder
Step five: When finish, hit "stop" on both VCR and DVD standalone recorder

Enjoy your new DVD from your VHS source

Some mathematic now:

A typical DVD standalone cost today about 250 Euros

To do the same at your PC, you need to pay for:
1. A DVD Recorder (~100 Euros)
2. A Capture card (~50 Euros)
3. Good cables to connect VCR to PC (~20 euros)
4. An encoder (~ CCE Basic / TMPGenc ~ 50 euro)
5. An authoring application (~ 45 euro)

Total cost about 265 Euro.

My point is that for users like you, which the approach of this subject is "to do the job done, fast and good", going the DVD standalone Recorder root is a wise choice

[XrayDuke]

Towlyn,

Just use VideoStudio 7 to capture and create your DVD. It is created for newbees and will walk you step by step through the process. For quick and easy captures I use my set top DVD recorder but if I want to do my own menus and make it look a little more professional I use the VideoStudio. I'm sure that there are better programs that do a better, higher quality job but for ease of use VideoStudio7 should work for you.

[jimmalenko]

Ohhhh boy, I chose a good time to skip the forums for almost a whole day.

@Tolwyn:
I don't give a shit how stressed you are. Show me a bit of respect and you'll receive the same in kind. And as for your GAY comment, well, that's just sexual preference vilification. If you are such a ******* hotshot with audio, work out video yourself, smart ass.

There, now I'm less stressed

Fulci is the right man to be speaking to regarding "capture" via ADVC-100 and ScenalyzerLive - he knows his shit there. Also a guru on avisynth scripting which can assist in the post-editing/encoding stages.

[housepig]

Not quite sure what to do with the audio. ? I know it must be 48000Hz; stereo PCM (can be Mp2, right? Guess that part doesnt' matter much).

are you in NTSC or PAL country? if you are NTSC, you might not want to use .mp2 - on my players, .mp2 comes out over-amplified to the point of distortion. stick with pcm or ac3.

Not sure how to make the menu system for a DVD; don't need "fancy" moving backgrounds (I can get to that later).

are you using Video Studio to author your discs as well as edit? What image formats does it support for import? Any image editor should be able to put together a 720x540 .jpg, .bmp or .png image for a menu... it just depends on what UVS will allow you to import.

[pyrohydra]

this post intentionally left blank

[tekkieman]

Ohhhh boy, I chose a good time to skip the forums for almost a whole day.

@Tolwyn:
I don't give a shit how stressed you are. Show me a bit of respect and you'll receive the same in kind. And as for your GAY comment, well, that's just sexual preference vilification. If you are such a ******* hotshot with audio, work out video yourself, smart ass.

There, now I'm less stressed

WTF! First you bitch-slap him, then four minutes later report him?!?!? One or the other would have been more than fair, but both?!?!? Seems to me that the gay-boy comment was a general comment, not really directed at any person in particular. If it struck a nerve with anyone, then methinks I hear some closet doors creaking :P

Now I'm less stressed...

[reboot]

Just get Nerovision Express. Stuff the avi in one end, and get a burned dvd out the other. There's your "one-click" answer.
If you want any decent quality, editing, effects, menus, chapters, audio in sync, control over the process, again, we point you to the top left of this page at the guides.
Select a guide to do a process, then selec the tool for the job.
If you already have the tools, then click on the TOOLS link, and your tool, and it will show you the guides that use it.
Either way, point and click thru the wizard, or get into it with what Indolikaa and Fulcilives have already suggested repeatedly.

[Gazorgan]

I can understand your frustration. I bumped into someone that was an "Audio Expert" at an Ekoostic Hookah concert. He was explaining the steps he uses to produce his FLAC archives. I went through the steps I used to take the DV to DVDR. We both lamented getting some real 5.1 sound.

My point is I don't think I could clean up the Audio the way he does. I know there is absolutely no way he can filter the video the way I do. It just boggled his mind I could take his audio and apply it to the video instead of using the mediocre DV Audio, and keep everything in sync. Everyone has their own talents. Either you invest in a months worth of effort of Encoding and Authoring until you get the hang of it or you don't. If you don't then forget doing the fancy stuff and simply convert tapes to DVD (there are a couple of 1-click solutions that suck).

[Tolwyn]

NO. I deserve the bitchslapping.
I'm okay with it.
I had a few too many beers last night, I'm under a bit of timeline pressure.
It's okay. I apologized for being a forum idiot. Hope we're all okay. I appreciate you guys putting up with me yesterday. Just not a good day, and I'm sorry I brought that baggage here.

The problem is, DV isn't all of my source material.

I also have streams generated from Fraps and OpenGL/Direct3D game titles that I'm trying to transfer over. But most of it is DV encoded video from the Canopus ADV1000.

I couldn't figure out if Ulead VideoStudio (BASIC -- by the way) can frameserve. I'm going to purchase TMPGEnc Plus soon, and also its DVD authoring stuff.

I'm in NTSC country, by the way. I'll encode with BeSweet the PCM WAV into an AC3 format (stream?) and... uh... ? Not sure what to do with that after that.

See, if I have 720x480 video, but it's not DV, is it going to "look right" on TV? What if I wanted to do "poor man" widescreen (16:9) with cropping? Do I still need to pad the stuff to CONFORM to 720x480? (4:3 with borders)?

Is the actual "canvas" that I'm working in 720x480 or 720x540?

Yeah. Video is way over my head at the moment. I truly have read many guides. I think I've read TOO many; and I don't do this enough constantly for it to stick. But I finally broke down and purchased an Internal Plextor DVD+-%$R (heh) drive.

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[FulciLives]

The problem is, DV isn't all of my source material.

I also have streams generated from Fraps and OpenGL/Direct3D game titles that I'm trying to transfer over. But most of it is DV encoded video from the Canopus ADV1000.

Might not be the most elegant solution but you can convert your non DV footage into DV footage by loading it into VirtualDubMod and resaving as DV AVI format. That way all your footage is DV AVI format thus making it easier to work in Ulead VideoStudio.

I couldn't figure out if Ulead VideoStudio (BASIC -- by the way) can frameserve. I'm going to purchase TMPGEnc Plus soon, and also its DVD authoring stuff.

Yes I am unsure if you can frameserve or not with Ulead VideoStudio. If you can't then you will have to save a file (which can be DV AVI or uncompressed video) then open the file in TMPGEnc Plus for your MPEG-2 encoding step.

I'm in NTSC country, by the way. I'll encode with BeSweet the PCM WAV into an AC3 format (stream?) and... uh... ? Not sure what to do with that after that.

Well basically once you have AC-3 audio you would import it into your DVD Authoring program along with the video file that you get from TMPGEnc Plus.

See, if I have 720x480 video, but it's not DV, is it going to "look right" on TV? What if I wanted to do "poor man" widescreen (16:9) with cropping? Do I still need to pad the stuff to CONFORM to 720x480? (4:3 with borders)?

Is the actual "canvas" that I'm working in 720x480 or 720x540?

NTSC Full D1 resolution is 720x480. If you want to convert to 16x9 WS then you would crop 60 from the top and 60 from the bottom giving you 720x360 which you then resize to 720x480. That step ... if you do it ... can be done while doing your MPEG-2 encoding step with TMPGEnc Plus.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Tolwyn]

Resize to 720x480 or PAD (add borders) to make it 720x480?

[Supreme2k]

WTF! First you bitch-slap him, then four minutes later report him?!?!? One or the other would have been more than fair, but both?!?!? Seems to me that the gay-boy comment was a general comment, not really directed at any person in particular. If it struck a nerve with anyone, then methinks I hear some closet doors creaking :P

I kind of agree with the "double-dipping" issue, but calling someone gay as an insult (general or otherwise), is pretty serious. Just as bad saying "How stupid can you get? What are you, a ******?!" to which I take great offense.


BTW, this HAS to be a first: a new(b) poster slagging off a bunch of regulars, getting slagged back, then apologizing Most would just cry to the mods, or ask that their membership be deleted and "I'll go to Doom9, where they're not a bunch of ********" 8)

Pat on the back to Tolwyn.

[FulciLives]

Resize to 720x480 or PAD (add borders) to make it 720x480?

Resize to 720x480 not PAD to 720x480

720x480 is a 4:3 ratio for the NTSC DVD format. However you can have any aspect ratio within that 720x480 4:3 screen.

For instance a movie that has an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 will be 720x272 with 104 black above and below it to make a total of 720x480. This is 2.35:1 widescreen within the 4:3 720x480 aspect ratio.

To make that same video 16x9 WS you crop 60 from the top and 60 from the bottom. This leaves you with 720x360 so the image will still have some black above and below it since the actual image height is only 272.

So you take that 720x360 and resize it to 720x480

The image will now be stretched so that things look a bit tall and thin but this is what 16x9 WS is. It will look normal on a 16x9 TV which "stretches" it out again. It will also look normal on a 4:3 TV because the DVD player resizes it on playback (from 720x480 to 720x360 then adds black on the top and bottom to get 720x480).

Doing this proceedure still leave the aspect ratio at 2.35:1 but it is now "enhanced for 16x9 televisions".

So if you start with a 4:3 video that is WS you can convert it to 16x9 as long as it has an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 or higher OTHERWISE you will cut into the actual image when you crop 60 off of the top and bottom.

Most 4:3 WS sources though are at least 1.78:1 since the most common aspect ratio's are 1.85:1 and 2.35:1 although some films are 1.66:1 and if you try to convert that to 16x9 by cutting 60 off of the top and bottom you will actually cut "into" the image.

You can do 1.66:1 as 16x9 but you have to "shrink" the image overall leaving a bit of black on the edges.

Hope this makes the idea more clear

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Tolwyn]

Thanks. I was just really having a bad day, and a bit "drunk" on top of it. I hope no one took me personally. This site (when it was dvdrhelp.com, even, so I'm not quite a newb, just not enough experience with this stuff yet) has ALWAYS been helpful, AND the people even MORE SO. You guys surely didn't deserve that the other day.

I take abuse when I deserve it.
Smack me around, let me buy the next round, and let's go!