ULead - disc template, multiple bitrates

[billja]

I hope someone can help me with this DVD authoring problem. I've been making mpg files from tmpgenc and then authoring DVDs with ULead MovieFactory. So far, everything has been great except that my DVD player is having problems with fast forwarding (or reversing). Chapters seem to work fine though.

Anyways, I searched the forums and one post suggested that it might be something with how my disc template is set up in ULead. Here's my problem: the mpg's that I've been encoding are constant bitrate (CBR) and they vary from file to file, depending on how much quality I've wanted. In ULead, I set up a custom Disc template and basically select variable bit rate (VBR) and choose the highest bitrate I used. For example, if I had 3 mpg files with CBRs at 1500, 1600, and 1800, I would set up the ULead disc template at VBR for 1800 max.

Is this okay, or is there a "correct" way to set the disc template for multiple mpg files with different encoding bitrates? I was worried that if I set the template to CBR at 1800, Ulead would try to re-encode the two files with lower bitrates.

Thanks much for any help!

[thecoalman]

Go into your project settings and check "do not convert compliant files".

[billja]

Thanks for the tip. This "do not convert compliant files" box has always been checked. I was never sure if "compliant" meant the mpg was "DVD-compliant" or had the same stats as specified by the disc template. Anyways, since all my mpg files are DVD-compliant, doesn't this mean there wouldn't be any re-encoding regardless of what I select as the disc template?

Thanks!

[thecoalman]

Yep, there should be no renecoding. I use DVD Workshop and that is how that option works in it.

[billja]

Thanks again for the quick help. My DVDs burned just fine but, again, no go on the fast forward/reverse on the DVD player. I'll probably try a "less" generic brand of DVD-R next! At least I can still view the videos normally.

[thecoalman]

You can also try +R's or burning at a slower burn rate.