TS to DVD conversion

[RBK]

This site has been a great help to me in the past but I am now at the point where I have two problems left that I wish to find a solution for. I have searched the various guides and they have helped me find some solutions but I feel they are not the easiest way to accomplish my goal. I will discuss one problem here.

I capture HD from commercial broadcast using a DVICO HD tuner in a dedicated multimedia PC connected to a HD LCD TV. The DVICO captures the files and save them in a TS format which I can then play back using the same PC. This site has helped me find a method for saving the files in a compressed format (currently use AUTOGK w/XVID) with reasonable quality. I do have to clean up the TS files slightly to eliminate some internal problems which remain after capture and to trim the beginning and the end. I use MPG2REPAIR to clean up the basic TS file and if the trimming is at the beginning and the end the DVICO application allows me to do this without loss of quality. If the cuts are in the file I use TSPacketEditor to do the cuts. I think this program will also correct some internal error but I have usually run it through MPG@Repair first so TSPacketEditor sees a pretty good file to begin with. This is then run through AUTOGK to produce the XVID output usually shooting for a 2gig size upper limit

My problem is I would also like produce a standard DVD even though I know the quality will not usually be as good as the XVID. I can go through some gyrations using various programs to achieve this but it seems like I am going through many steps to achieve what I want. Currently I have to get the files into shape so that ADOBE Encore can recognize the file and make the DVD for me. The ADOBE Premier and ENCORE are the result of a bundle with a capture card I no longer actively use but i have grown use to them and continue to use them occasionally. I currently have the upgrade to CS3 but probably won't upgrade any further.

What I would like is to find a program (Free or not) which will be able to take my final cleaned up TS file and convert it into a DVD (preferably directly but I can still use ENCORE if needed). I would like to have a reasonable amount of control over the conversion process (bitrate, field order and Audio if possible). Perhaps I'm being to picky but using ADOBE Premier and then outputting for DVD gives be pretty good control over output parameters which give me an acceptable DVD compliant file.

Anyone have any suggestions of what I should look at? There seem to be so many programs available that I am becoming overwhelmed with the choices and I feel I may be missing something which may help.

[guns1inger]

Look at AVStoDVD. It can output either a finished DVD, or elementary streams that can be authored in Encore or any other authoring tool. You get a reasonable amount of control, and can tinker with the avisynth script if you wish. There are other, simpler options, but the cost of simplicity is control.

[jman98]

HDTV2DVD? I have not used this program, but it can do what you want.

You could just buy the Western Digital HDTV player as it can play TS files from USB devices. No conversion necessary. It might end up being the best $100 or so you've ever spent as opposed to doing this kind of conversion over and over again just to have something a DVD player will play.

[RBK]

Thank for the help. Just what I needed. The Western Digital HDTV would probably work fine but I'm already using my PC hooked to my HDTV for that. I just wanted some of the recordings available on DVD. The players are catching up with new formats so hopefully it won't be long until I can use the XVID MP4 type stuff in HD on a regular player. I'll wait a little longer before upgrading my DVD players

[jman98]

The players are catching up with new formats so hopefully it won't be long until I can use the XVID MP4 type stuff in HD on a regular player.

Not really in my opinion. The situation this year is only barely better than last year. I'd say in an absolute best case scenario that you're looking at another full year. I'd personally guess that what you're looking for is 3 years away before it becomes commonplace.

[yoda313]

A ps3 or xbox 360 can do that. But that is two and half times the cost of a wdtv player. If you already own one or the other than you can do that.

However both are picky on exactly what file structures they will play.