Trying to create DVD from m2v and wav files

[JSLayton]

I am trying to create a DVD containing about 20-25 short video clips. The clips were provided in m2v and wav format. I would like to create a DVD where the clips are divided in the menu into three categories, and then once you select the category, you can select the particular clip you want to play. I also have mp4 versions of each of these clips if that makes it easier. I have tried searching for the answer but I am a little overwhelmed and don't know where to begin. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[manono]

I also have mp4 versions of each of these clips if that makes it easier.

No, that'll make it harder since they're not already in M2V and AC3 or WAV format. They'll have to first be converted to DVD compliant audio and video.

As for the first question, assuming they're DVD compliant, that's what authoring programs do, take the audio and video and make DVDs of them. For some you add in your own menu backgrounds, some will make really simple menus, some more elaborate ones. Some are free; some cost money. What you're asking to do is pretty simple and most authoring programs can do it.

You could even create your own BMP menu screens for use in the project, one with things like 'Category 1, Category 2, Category3'. And others with things like 'Video1, Video2, Video3, etc'. Most authoring programs will import user-created menu background screens, if compliant.

[JSLayton]

Can you recommend some easy to use authoring programs? I tried to use IFOEdit but couldn't figure out what I needed to do.

[aedipuss]

maybe try the free dvdauthor(gui)

[JSLayton]

dvdauthor(gui) won't accept wav files for the audio

[manono]

dvdauthor(gui) won't accept wav files for the audio

Sure it will. If they're DVD compliant. Perhaps they're 44.1 kHz rather than the required 48 kHz.

I use DVDAuthorGUI myself when I have to make menus. It and the companion GUI4DVDAuthor are the main free ones. For a reasonable price try TMPGEnc Authoring Works or DVDLab (Pro).

And while IFOEdit can author it won't create any menus, so it's not really suitable for what you're trying to do.

[JSLayton]

When I try to add the audio files, it won't even show the *.wav files as options to be selected. The 'Files of Type' dropdown at the bottom shows '*.ac3, *.mp2, *.mpa, *.m2a, *.dts'.

[liquid217]

DVDAuthorGUI itself can't accept wav files as a source of audio. You have 2 options:
1) Encode them to AC3. FFMpegGUI provides an easy drag and drop interface to allow batch conversion of your wav file to AC3.

2) Use a supplemental GUI that I wrote called DVDMux. Once it creates the MPG, you can import that as a title into DVDAuthorGUI. DVDMux can be found here:
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/322826-DVDAuthorgui-wave-audio-support?p=2000426&vi...=1#post2000426

[manono]

When I try to add the audio files, it won't even show the *.wav files as options to be selected. The 'Files of Type' dropdown at the bottom shows '*.ac3, *.mp2, *.mpa, *.m2a, *.dts'.

My mistake then. I apologize. I figured it would (and should) accept any DVD compliant audio. Although I use DVDAuthorGUI myself sometimes, I confess I've never tried to use a WAV file in it. My own opinion is that, unless it's possibly for a music DVD, WAV audio is a waste of space and bitrate that could be more profitably applied to improving the video quality, and should always be reencoded for AC3.