Encoding choices???

[yadda]

OK…I believe I have the basics down using a simple authoring package like Ulead DVD Movie Factory but I have a few questions beyond this package.

1. Will I get better results transcoding from AVI-MPG using TMPGENC than relying on Ulead to do the transcoding??? Ulead does seem slow but will TMPGENC be more accurate in the process???

2. How is the Mainstream MPEG encoder in comparison to TMPGENC???

3. I see people talk about the re-encode process after you modify a MPG that some programs will re-encode reducing the quality. Can someone explain a little more about this why it is needed and how to stay away from it??? Are there programs to use and programs to avoid getting into this re-encoding problem.

Thanks

Y

[jimmalenko]

yadda, yadda, yadda ....

Firstly, we need to get you down in da hood wit da lingo, my man.

Transcoding isn't what you think it is. You encode from AVI or MPG to DVD-compliant MPEG. You transcode an existing, authored DVD-Compliant set of VOB files. For more information, read this thread.

1. Will I get better results transcoding from AVI-MPG using TMPGENC than relying on Ulead to do the transcoding??? Ulead does seem slow but will TMPGENC be more accurate in the process???

I personally wouldn't trust a Ulead product as far as I could chuck it, whereas I'm sure some people swear by it. In terms of quality, I get the funny feeling TMPGEnc probably has more flexibility in terms of settings that are able to be manipulated. What do YOU find gives YOU the best results ? That's really what's important here, not what one of us thinks.

2. How is the Mainstream MPEG encoder in comparison to TMPGENC???

I think you mean Mainconcept. TO be honest, I think the sun shines out of TMPGenc's plumber's crack.

3. I see people talk about the re-encode process after you modify a MPG that some programs will re-encode reducing the quality. Can someone explain a little more about this why it is needed and how to stay away from it??? Are there programs to use and programs to avoid getting into this re-encoding problem.

I don't know exactly what you're trying to say here, but the easiest way IMO to get around re-encoding is to get your source in AVI and then use Virtualdub or one of its mutants to manipulate and edit. Womble apparently has some good MPEG-editing software (MPEG-VCR or MPEG Video Wizard, I can't remember which one it is) but it is much much easier to edit AVI IMO. By keeping to AVI, the only time you convert to MPEG is the final stage, when you are ready to immortalize your works onto DVDR.

[Skiprat]

Try NeoDVD, I swear by it, used everything else and this is the dogs b0lox. Takes about 40 mins to get from Avi to DVD, outstanding quality. Thanks me later

[yadda]

Thanks everyone. The more I learn the more I get confused. Not really. There sure is a lot to this.

Y

[jusanhu]

1. Will I get better results transcoding from AVI-MPG using TMPGENC than relying on Ulead to do the transcoding??? Ulead does seem slow but will TMPGENC be more accurate in the process???

Y

Below is the free trial version of XtreamMPEG:
http://www.mediostream.com/products/free_trial.html

XtreamMPEG could transcode many kinds of video into MPEG-2 format with good quality and could let you select ratio, bitrate, frame rate.