Need TDA alternate for authoring vbr mpeg2

[EAO]

At my wits end

I am going to assume it's the vbr issue.

I absolutlely cannot get TDA 1.6 to leave the mpeg2 file size relatively intact. I'm taking 2 edited 1hr vbr mpeg2 TV captures, editing them with Redo for exact edits (Makes no difference if I edit them in TDA) and then creating a basic menu and DVD folder in TDA1.6.

These mpeg files are about 2.15 gigs. When I convert them - one set of vob files may add up to about 1.7 gigs the other one usually closely matchs the correct mpeg2 file size.

I have tried using Redo and Muxman to re encode the mpegs ...but the problem persists when I try to author with TDA. I also tried reformatting the HDD just in case I had introduced a virus or a conflict = no luck either.

I am going to guess that the issue may be the vbr setting that the PVR-250 is using, but at this point I'm looking for a practical solution - not nec a fix for TDA.

Anyone know of a DVD authoring program or programs that are tolerant of vbr mpeg2 files that are not lossy like say NeroVision or Ulead?

Been eyeing this:

https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=dvdauthor

[Noahtuck]

I absolutlely cannot get TDA[/url] 1.6 to leave the mpeg2 file size relatively intact.

TDA does not do anything to change VOB/MPG files as it is only an Authoring program. At the most it might be converting the audio to ac3 which would reduce the size of the overall file and make it more compliant for dvd players

What is your orignal audio before inporting them into TDA ?

[EAO]

I realise that it doesn't change the file.

That does not explain why Explorer shows the mpeg capture as 2.15 gig but when authored in TDA it becomes about 1.7 gigs.

The reality is something is wrong. Perhaps it is a non compliant (or corrupted) mpeg2 capture from the PVR-250 ??? Any mpeg2 programs to easily test DVD compliance - and perhaps correct mpeg2 captures?

To answer your question: I am leaving the file's audio mpeg2. It has never presented an issue in any component DVD player I have used. I have used TDA 1.5 and 1.6 for several years without the change in file size being to different., but 1.7 gigs from 2.15 in explorer is ridiculus.

[Noahtuck]

That does not explain why Explorer shows the mpeg capture as 2.15 gig but when authored in TDA it becomes about 1.7 gigs.

You didn't ask that in your OP
But maybe the program you are using to capture is setting the file headers or the file properties incorrectly for Explorer to report wrong
Because i know sometimes TDA will report things that are not actually the case, like it will report the size of the files or completed project size wrong.

I pretty much use DVD-lab PRO exclusively now, for a long time, and it also show's the length/time, ect. incorrectly sometimes, though i know the actual length and size.

The reality is something is wrong. Perhaps it is a non compliant (or corrupted) mpeg2 capture from the PVR-250 ??? Any mpeg2 programs to easily test DVD compliance - and perhaps correct mpeg2 captures?

If the final product looks the same and there is not any visable degrading in the video, just because it is reporting wrong does not mean there is anything wrong with the final video.
You cuold use something like AVIcodec or maybe GSpot to check the bitrate afterwards of both files to see if that has changed somehow ?

To answer your question: I am leaving the file's audio mpeg2. It has never presented an issue in any component DVD player I have used. I have used TDA 1.5 and 1.6 for several years without the change in file size being to different., but 1.7 gigs from 2.15 in explorer is ridiculus.

And i could be wrong about this but i did not think mpg audio was compliant for all dvd players ? I have alway's only used AC3 (2.0-5.1) audio for any dvd's i author.

And i also have used TDA since it first came out and never really had any problems like this or did not really pay attention as when i am done authoring i just test the final files by playing them and burn to dvdr because i know it does not convert or re-encode the video at all.

But the audio being converted or changed is the only thing that TDA would/could be doing to make the overall files smaller.

Unless someone else has any idea's ?

Sorry if this is a stupid question but, you are checking the size of the Edited file & comparing it to the file size after running it through TDA and not comparing the original unedited capture to the edited one after running through TDA 8)
I ask that because of what you said in your OP.

I absolutlely cannot get TDA 1.6 to leave the mpeg2 file size relatively intact. I'm taking 2 edited 1hr vbr mpeg2 TV captures, editing them with Redo for exact edits (Makes no difference if I edit them in TDA) and then creating a basic menu and DVD folder in TDA1.6.

These mpeg files are about 2.15 gigs. When I convert them - one set of vob files may add up to about 1.7 gigs the other one usually closely matchs the correct mpeg2 file size.

[EAO]

I appreciate the input.

I'll run gspot eventually (shortly).

Going to update TDA now.

If Explorer is correct it's lowering the size by about .35 -.4 gig's. That's more than the total audio size.

I'd also be a lot less concerned if Muxman gave me the same resulting file size - but it does not. It accurately reflects the same total size of vob's as the original mpeg2 file. Problem then is I have no menu and if I pull Muxman's DVD file into TDA it comes out smaller - again by about .4 gig - after TDA gets done.

So I was hoping someone could steer me to another program that may allow me to pull these vob's in and add a very basic menu. Curious to see if the problem replicates itself with different menu authoring software.

Ultimately I'll probably give DVD-lab a go.

EDIT: 3 things

1. You are right mpeg2 is not considered dvd compliant but I have had no issues so I have not bothered changing it.

2. I have installed the update. Tried one author with basic menu and no chapters. Created that properly = 4.18 gig. Recreated a 2nd time with menus + chapters = 4.18 gig. So for these troublesome episodes this update did the trick. Hopefully it continues.

3. I'd still like the names of DVD Authoring ( with menus) software that does not transode.

Please.

[Abond]

GFD

[thegeeman]

Just a quick point from a simpleton like me!! Any chance that the 'default' audio in TDA is encoding MP2 audio to LPCM??? this may explain increased file size.

[EAO]

Just a quick point from a simpleton like me!! Any chance that the 'default' audio in TDA is encoding MP2 audio to LPCM??? this may explain increased file size.

I'm sorry about not being clear.

It's the other way around. The file gets about 20% smaller.

I've authored another episode properly with the updated TDA 1.6. I refuse to write that the issue is solved because it is intermittent and I don't want to jinx it.

Also... thanks Abond. I'll keep it in mind if it becomes an issue again.

Any other ones with basic menus and no transcoding?

[Abond]

DVDAuthorGui