Advice on best method for converting .avi (divx) to DVD .img or VIDEO_TS

[spigfry]

Hi there, I have been browsing this forum and website for a while and i think i am suffering from information overload.

Basically what i want is the best method of converting .avi (divx) files from the .avi into .img or VIDEO_TS format, ready to burn with toast titanium 7 and then play on standalone DVD player.

I have ffmegx -- which i know how to use (just about) although i've struggled to find advice as to the optimum settings ( i know it varies depending on PAL etc etc ) - it works ok although i can't put chapter points in any films i encode or menus - any ideas? or do i need another prog for this.

I have also tried using toast titanium to do the encoding, which was pretty useless IMO - slow as all hell

I just tried using iDVD to encode, it seemed to work ok, although couldn't get chapter points in again, although thats probably just my inexperience

Just wondering - what would people recommend as the best method - given that i have QT / toast tit 7 / ffmegx / iDVD

I basically want to make DVD's wth a simple menu screen to select the episode i want . a background picture and maybe some music playing on the menu screen - and then a movie(s) encoded WITH chapter points

The sheer number of freeware/shareware/whateverware and guides here is confusing me a little so any straight shooting advice much appreciated..

thx

[superpotts]

Here's what I do that works great for me, but it doesn't involve most of the programs you mention.

1. Pull out the audio to mp2 format using ffmpeggui
2. Convert the video to mpeg-2 format with dvd settings using TMPGEnc
3. multiplex the audio and video using TMPGEnc
4. Create the dvd structure and menus in TMPG DVD Author, which also converts it to the Video_TS folder
5. Burn the video_ts folder using Nero 6

Sometimes I have to cut the video using tmpg because when converting it will add an extra hour and a half of blank screen (no idea why).

[spigfry]

This is the MAC forum. Mac for macintosh, Mac for OS X. not PC and not Windows.

[glynnkjk]

I think your best bet would be to use ffmpegx and convert the .avi to a .mov.
open the .mov with iMovie and set your chapters and markers. Then when you send it to iDVD you can select the themes and music....good luck