Problems with TMPGEnc DVD Author 3 and multiple AVI files

[cadkins]

Hi all. Am hoping that someone might be able to point me in the right direction. Here is what I ahve

About 6 avi's that I want to make into a single DVD. Separate each avi as a chapter on the DVD.
This I can handle. Works fine.

However, the avi's are all XVid. Some of them have different dimensions (624x352, 960x544, etc...)

A couple of the avi files when I load them into TMPGEnc, the audio shows as being different from one to the other. Some are 48000Hz 2ch using the DirectShow file reader. Some say Dolby Digital 4800Hz 5.1ch.

The biggest problem that I am having is that when it goes through the process of making the DVD, and I play it back on a stand alone player, there's no audio or the audio is out of sync or it will have audio for a while and then cut out.

Are these audio problem due to the files being different?

I was going to try to take all of them convert them to DVD using WinAVI, import the VOB files into TMPGEnc and see if that helps. However, 4 hours of conversion and trashing a blank dvd is getting a bit old.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!!

[TheAdMan]

Well there could be a couple problems, first, to answer your question, yes it could be because of the different audio formats, as a general rule of thumb you want each audio and video stream of your dvd to be the same format, a single audio stream that switches between 2ch stereo & 5.1 surround is likely to cause problems, there may be ways around this depending on what prog(s) you use - When using TMPGEnc to encode several different video files that are destined for one DVD, you must be carefull that all video files end up in same format i.e. aspect ratio, fps, as well as audio. fps may be the reason some of your audio is out of sync - if you have a pal video (25fps) and convert it into NTSC (29.97fps) then ur audio will be out of sync, same vice-versa.

A handy prog that was recently passed on to me is DivxtoDVD this accepts multiple DIVX, MPEG, or VOB files and converts them directly to a DVD folder (video_ts) with all the required VOB's, IFO's, and BUP's ready to burn, I did a small test with it yesterday and so far it seems to be an efficient tool for burning multiple videos to a single DVD. - not sure how it handles different audio formats but I would give it a shot.

Dowlaod link w/ description:
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_encoders/vso_divxtodvd_free.cfm

[cadkins]

if you have a pal video (25fps) and convert it into NTSC (29.97fps) then ur audio will be out of sync, same vice-versa.

When I put each AVI file into TMPGEnc, it says the frame rate is 30fps. Which it may be rounding up since NTSC is 29.97.

Thanks for the link to the program. I'll give it a shot.

What do you think about me converting them all with WinAVI to one DVD format and then putting it into TMPGEnc so it has a menu?

Thanks!

[TheAdMan]

I should have elaborated, NTSC can be 29.97, 30, or 24 fps - so ur videos are NTSC.

I've never used TMPGEnc to create a DVD menu B4, didn't even know u could do that with it. - r u sure that's possible?

I use TMPGEnc to encode most my videos, don't use WinAvi to much, if I was going to import something into TMPGEnc anyway then I would just encode with it too. - Winavi might be faster tho and who knows maybe trying a different encoder will solve your sound problems. U know you can always encode to mp2/pcm wav streams (with WinAVI or TMPGEnc) then create a menu in a DVD authoring software - like DVDLab.

[cadkins]

TheAdMan : thanks for the info on NTSC. I didn't know they could be different fps's.

I should have elaborated on the program. It is TMPGEnc 3 DVD Authoring that I am using. I guess was being lazy and didn't feel like typing it all in .

I'll give TMPGEnc a shot on the encoding part and then put it into TMPGEnc DVD Author for the menu since I already have it.

[rich1842]

Winavi could probably be your answer. It will take a bunch of different file types (avi and mpeg I have done often and I think wmv a couple times, I have not tried others) and convert to dvd successfully. Also avi's from different sources. You can choose whether to merge into one title or keep separate titles in one dvd. And the new winavi 8 will make a menu for you automatically.

[redwudz]

cadkins, With TMPGEnc encoders, you may have trouble encoding AC3 audio and you will have problems with MP3 VBR audio. MP3 VBR is common with videos off the net. TMPGEnc encoder may just ignore AC3 and not output any audio. VBR audio can cause major sync problems.

With Xvids or any video from unknown sources, you should check them first with Gspot 2.70. You can convert the VBR audio to WAV with VirtualDub Mod. The AC3 is fine the way it is, don't re-encode it. Use it in your authoring program as the audio source. You can also convert the WAV to AC3 with ffmpeggui.

But for the average Xvid, I would use ConvertXToDVD. The cost is similar to WinAVI, but it has few of the bugs and problems that WinAVI seems to be plagued with. JMO.

If you need to do PAL<>NTSC conversions, most encoders will have problems if the conversion is not properly done. Most common are audio sync problems or jumpy video. It is not a simple conversion for most encoders. ConvertX also handles those conversions fairly well.

Audio problems and some audio formats seem to cause the majority of the issues with encoding. I usually process the audio separately, or at least make sure it is either DVD compliant or a format that my encoder can handle.

And welcome to our forums.